After months of anticipation, the audiobook format of Eloghosa Osunde’s second novel Necessary Fiction has officially launched, and it’s nothing short of extraordinary!
“This novel grew skin and bone and teeth and texture at the sound of your voices,” shared the author on their social media, describing their experience of hearing their written characters come alive through the voices of thirteen international narrators. “I’ve honestly never felt anything like what I did being in those sessions. What a transcendent chorus we’ve made.”
Necessary Fiction is already being celebrated for breaking new ground in audiobook production, particularly for African and LGBTQ+ literature. The ambitious project brings together thirteen narrators across seven cities and three continents, representing what may be one of the most internationally collaborative audiobook productions for contemporary African fiction.
The audiobook explores the same powerful themes as Osunde’s novel, a portrait of what it means to be queer in contemporary Nigeria. Set across Lagos, the story follows an unforgettable cast of characters as they seek out love in all its forms, working to establish themselves in the city’s worlds of art, music, entertainment and creativity while reckoning with desire, fear, death and God.
The international voice cast includes Akin Omotoso, Atta Otigba, David Ijiti, A’rese Emokpae, Uzoamaka Power, Leo Anifowose, Arit Okpo, Jerry Iwu, Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, Ifeyinwa Unachukwu, Tumi Olufawo, and Osunde themselves. This diverse ensemble was carefully assembled to authentically represent the novel’s rich tapestry of voices and experiences.
Osunde was deeply involved in the production process, describing their presence during recording sessions as transformative. “So grateful to have been able to pull this off with a global team,” the author noted, highlighting the unprecedented international collaboration that made this audiobook possible.
The production was directed by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Garet Scott, with producers Sarah Jaffe and Olivia Langen supporting “every wild idea” from the beginning. The technical achievement spans multiple continents, with recording taking place at studios including Alien Prose in Abuja, G Factor Sound Studios in Lagos, 2020 Recordings in London, Narrate Africa in Johannesburg, and I.D Audio in London.
The themes of queer identity and survival in Nigeria are particularly significant for representation in audiobooks. Necessary Fiction follows Osunde’s debut Vagabonds!, which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, establishing them as one of the most important contemporary voices in African literature.
The audiobook represents a major milestone for Nigerian literature’s global reach. By featuring authentic Nigerian voices and bringing the story’s Lagos setting to life through sound, the production offers listeners what one early reviewer described as “an audio experience that feels like home” for those familiar with the culture, while opening doors for international audiences to experience contemporary Nigerian storytelling.
Necessary Fiction the audiobook is a testament to the power of international collaboration in bringing marginalized stories to global audiences. With its innovative production approach and powerful source material, it’s sure to have a lasting impact on the representation of African and LGBTQ+ voices in the audiobook industry.
The audiobook is now available for order through major audiobook platforms. We can’t wait to experience this “transcendent chorus” for ourselves!
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