‘What’s the Essence of Beauty’ shows the internal struggle that comes with identity, the desire to be seen and accepted in a way that doesn’t conform to a preconceived idea.
In a bid to confront his fears and fully accept his queerness, a man abandons the priesthood and returns to his place of birth to reconnect with his past and his mother, who is completely displeased with his decision.
How far is he willing to go with his decision to stay true to himself, even though it means losing everything, even his mother’s love?
I think the thrill of being published is the same for every writer — it’s an old wine we can’t get tired of. Although I’ve been published by more than a handful of international magazines, the feeling is different when you’re recognised in your country.
Being published in Naira Stories puts me in the spotlight of Nigerian writers and gives me the opportunity to continue to tell our stories with boldness and authenticity.
Gerald Onyebuchi Ewa is a storyteller from southeastern Nigeria. A graduate of microbiology from the University of Ibadan, he’s interested in stories interspersed with themes such as feminism, queerness, and religion. In 2022, he was longlisted for the Kendeka Prize for African Literature, and in 2023, he was shortlisted for the Gerald Kraak Prize and Anthology. He’s working on his debut novel.
