For the author of Otherside, Muyideen Ayomide Faruk, the imperative of interrogating feminism and sexuality in today’s world cannot be over emphasised.

In an interview with The Guardian on his book titled, Otherside, he revealed, the book is a collection of powerful stories that dives into real issues faced by individuals in the society.

Through creative and emotional storytelling, he added the book shines a light on topics such as feminism, sexuality, and the personal struggles individuals face in one way or another.

Saying each story is written to make someone think, feel, and reflect, he added other objectives of writing the book is not just to entertain, but to raise awareness and encourage self-understanding.

To him, “as you read, you’ll feel like you’re part of the story, like the voice behind the words is your own. This is more than just a book, it is an experience: One that’s worth every page. This collection is a journey through the hidden corners of the human experience woven together with emotion, honesty and imagination. Each story touches on themes that are deeply personal, yet boldly universal in our contemporary world-self-discovery, feminism, sexuality, identity crisis, resilience, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

These are not just stories, they are voices, raw and reflective, they echo the battles individuals fight silently, the questions they are too afraid to ask, and the strength they find when they do.”

Speaking further, Faruk added, “I always wanted to explore more about issues that hold the society which we are not ready to talk about which has to do with feminism and sexuality.

I always wanted to write and the ability of me writing came into reality from my state of grief.

“When we are speaking about the essence of self discovery in my book, it’s not really about just human lives but it’s about things that define our own way of lives and one major aspect of the book is that it’s more important that we note that it’s written to portray our own identity through sexuality and gender. I never expected the book to be published but God made it happened. I never expected most positive feedback but my audience delivered it to me with great enthusiasm.”

Describing self discovery as path to self identity, he added, “I believe that my book is not just written to drive the means of self discovery but it’s also written to awaken the mind of the readers and those who wants to gain the ability to read. My book is not just about what it entails, I feel that even the cover of the book is more enticing, according to one of my readers.”

Currently a 200 level undergraduate of Osun State University, Faruk is studying English and International Studies.