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kesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I can completely understand the raving of it and on another, I found the characters unlikable. At first, I loved Yejide. I was so angry for her. However, the further into the book we went, the less I liked her or maybe I just felt detached from her. I’m a reader that needs a character to attach to. Halfway through I did switch from physically reading to listening to the audiobook so that could have caused me feeling detached to the characters.
The twists were excellent, and the ending shocked me. I didn’t see it coming at all.
This book is heartbreaking. Please read trigger warnings beforehand if needed.
This book is heartbreaking. Please read trigger warnings beforehand if needed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
ayodamola's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
I rate this one somewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars. It is the story of a young educated couple in Nigeria who eagerly want a family. They feel the pressure from their own family and friends but they are unable to have a child. They each chose different paths to try to conceive a child. Their journey is filled with superstitions, betrayal, secrets etc.
This was an emotional read especially as I'd dealt with fertility issues of my own in the past. This novel was on the Short List for the Women's Prize for Fiction and that recognition was well deserved.
This book counts towards PopSugar 2021 Challenge Task #17: A book that has the same title as a song
This was an emotional read especially as I'd dealt with fertility issues of my own in the past. This novel was on the Short List for the Women's Prize for Fiction and that recognition was well deserved.
This book counts towards PopSugar 2021 Challenge Task #17: A book that has the same title as a song
lydiaareads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
The libraries are completely closed down in Sweden right now, so I have to find other ways to read. Luckily there are many audiobook apps with a free trial, so this book was my first attempt at an audiobook. I alternated between reading the physical book that I got from the library ages ago, and listening to it in Swedish. Side note: Do all narrators have the same amount of passion in their voice as Google translate or does the Swedish language really sound that dull?
Anyway, Adébáyó's writing is beautiful and tells this story of a childless marriage with delicacy and empathy. Her language is simple yet filled with so much emotion. It captivated me from the first page. It becomes clear that the wish for a child not only comes from Yejide and Akin, but from the others around them. The societal pressure to have a child was one of the most interesting parts of the book. It was also fascinating to see how most of the blame was put on Yejide and how she handled the pressure of becoming a mother.
While the book always kept my interest, I was disappointed with the direction of the plot. Eventually it seemed like bad things happened just for the sake of repetition. Tragedy after tragedy, and yet I felt like these events could have caused so much more character development. It does convey the hopeless feelings of the main characters and their wish for a child, but with every tragedy I felt less empathy towards the characters. In many parts of the book it seemed like things would never resolve, which I found frustrating. I almost would have preferred the pacing to be slower, because there was little time to process one bad event after the other. I did enjoy the book as a whole and would like to read more from this author.
This reminded me of another book about struggling couples, which is [b:An American Marriage|33590210|An American Marriage|Tayari Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491493625l/33590210._SY75_.jpg|54403192]. I hope Adébáyó keeps going with this theme of family conflict in her future books, because I've realized it is one of my favorite subgenres to read.
The libraries are completely closed down in Sweden right now, so I have to find other ways to read. Luckily there are many audiobook apps with a free trial, so this book was my first attempt at an audiobook. I alternated between reading the physical book that I got from the library ages ago, and listening to it in Swedish. Side note: Do all narrators have the same amount of passion in their voice as Google translate or does the Swedish language really sound that dull?
Anyway, Adébáyó's writing is beautiful and tells this story of a childless marriage with delicacy and empathy. Her language is simple yet filled with so much emotion. It captivated me from the first page. It becomes clear that the wish for a child not only comes from Yejide and Akin, but from the others around them. The societal pressure to have a child was one of the most interesting parts of the book. It was also fascinating to see how most of the blame was put on Yejide and how she handled the pressure of becoming a mother.
While the book always kept my interest, I was disappointed with the direction of the plot. Eventually it seemed like bad things happened just for the sake of repetition. Tragedy after tragedy, and yet I felt like these events could have caused so much more character development. It does convey the hopeless feelings of the main characters and their wish for a child, but with every tragedy I felt less empathy towards the characters. In many parts of the book it seemed like things would never resolve, which I found frustrating. I almost would have preferred the pacing to be slower, because there was little time to process one bad event after the other. I did enjoy the book as a whole and would like to read more from this author.
This reminded me of another book about struggling couples, which is [b:An American Marriage|33590210|An American Marriage|Tayari Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491493625l/33590210._SY75_.jpg|54403192]. I hope Adébáyó keeps going with this theme of family conflict in her future books, because I've realized it is one of my favorite subgenres to read.
big_egg's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aleachaval's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
pained_creations's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A Nigerian family's story of love & loss, sacrifice & sickness, and of heartbreak & hope. It leaves you wanting to know more, and gives insight into a different culture. Overall, it was a great but sad story.
lou_2812's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0