THE BEAUTY OF BEING, A COLLECTION OF FABLES, SHORT STORIES AND ESSAYS, marks Abiodun Oyewole's first foray into prose. In this collection, Oyewole candidly shares his journey as a young poet and activist, offering valuable life lessons through fables and an intriguing travel narrative that emphasizes resilience and self-care. The title reflects the book's exploration of self-love as a natural, moral, and sacred aspect of existence, encouraging readers to embrace these qualities to unlock limitless potential. Oyewole's fables reveal his keen attention to detail, illuminating broader themes, while his essays delve into topics such as The Last Poets, the current state of poetry, and his personal insights on activism. One of the most compelling sections of the book features his reminiscences, which initially appear as a travelogue but reveal themselves to be a poignant love story intertwined with reflections on grief and loss. Throughout THE BEAUTY OF BEING, Oyewole skillfully weaves together themes of race, class, culture, life and death, and the distinction between illusion and reality, presenting multiple perspectives within a cohesive framework. With sincerity, humor, heart, and grace, Oyewole forges a genuine connection with his readers.
