Here’s a detailed look at Treasure by Oyinkan Braithwaite — part of the Amazon Original Stories Hush collection — and why it’s a sharp, unsettling little gem of a read.
📖 Overview
- Author: Oyinkan Braithwaite (best known for My Sister, the Serial Killer)
- Series: Hush Collection (#2)
- Length: ~31 pages
- Setting: Lagos, Nigeria
- Tone: Darkly comic, satirical, and cautionary
- Themes: Social media obsession, class divide, online personas vs. reality, deception
📝 Plot Snapshot
Treasure is a young woman curating the perfect Instagram life — glamorous outfits, luxury backdrops, and a growing follower count. Among her most devoted fans is @Sho4Sure, a mechanic who’s convinced she’s “the one.” When Treasure accidentally reveals her location in a post, he decides fate is calling — and sets out to meet her in person.
What follows is a tense, twisty encounter where both influencer and fan discover that the truth behind the filters is far more complicated — and dangerous — than they imagined.
🎯 What Works Well
- Sharp Social Commentary: Braithwaite skewers the performative nature of social media, showing how both sides — the influencer and the follower — are trapped in illusions they’ve helped create.
- Cultural Texture: The Nigerian setting and dialogue add authenticity and vibrancy, grounding the story in a specific social and economic context.
- Compact Tension: At just over 30 pages, the pacing is tight, with a single encounter driving the suspense.
- Dual Perspectives: The interplay between Treasure’s curated self-image and @Sho4Sure’s obsessive devotion creates a layered dynamic.
⚖️ Points to Note
- Less Complex than Other Hush Stories: Some reviewers felt it was the simplest plot in the collection, but still engaging.
- Predictable for Some Readers: If you’ve read a lot of social media cautionary tales, you might see the twist coming.
💡 Verdict
If you enjoy short, punchy fiction with a satirical edge — especially stories that explore the dark underbelly of online culture — Treasure delivers a quick but memorable hit. It’s a great entry point to the Hush collection and a nice teaser for Braithwaite’s longer works.
