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wordsofclover's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Set in a Nigerian city, this story follows two characters who live very different lives - one is a teenage boy called Eniola, who is facing daily beatings in school due to his parents' inability to pay his school fees but most days, there isn't even food on the table since his father lost his job. The other character Wuraola is a young doctor, newly engaged to a man from a good family, and the daughter of a professor herself. The two lives we follow are very separate as they both go through ups and downs, but eventually they converge in a moment of tragedy.
This book is one that I wasn't sure how I really felt until the very end, and I had to ask myself if there was a hole in my chest due to the immense sad feelings I had for the characters and how much I wanted to hold them and comfort them but also spend more time with them - and ask what happens next?
I loved the setting in this book as I often do with Nigerian writers, and Nigerian-based stories. The Nigerian culture from the family dynamics, food, clothing and celebration all comes alive in so many ways as well as some of the bad sides of the country as well such as political corruption and violence, family pressures about being a wife but also a 'good' wife, and the unfair education system. It was honestly so sad to see Eniola's heart be broken in so many ways in this book (similar in a way to how Wuraola's spirit and body are beaten by Kunle) as he saw his father for who he really was, not a teacher hero but a man prone to depression and unable to help his family when they most need it, and also saw his parents choose his sister's education over his own. The fact that Eniola went from a boy who dreamed of university to one who eventually picked up a machete in a moment that changed his world forever was devastating and the broken boy at the end of the novel was heartache personified.
On the other hand, Wuraola's life and problems are so very different to Eniola's - while he is struggling to find food to eat, she is balancing a needy, problematic boyfriend as well as her loud yet loving family and societal expectations on her as a Nigerian woman but also a daughter of a prominent family. But through the story, we see how good her family is, her father's kindness and her sister's courage, as well as her mother's love for her children as well as her moments of charity towards Eniola.
The almost last scene at the end of the book in the taxi broke my heart and I don't think I'll ever forget it.
This book is one that I wasn't sure how I really felt until the very end, and I had to ask myself if there was a hole in my chest due to the immense sad feelings I had for the characters and how much I wanted to hold them and comfort them but also spend more time with them - and ask what happens next?
I loved the setting in this book as I often do with Nigerian writers, and Nigerian-based stories. The Nigerian culture from the family dynamics, food, clothing and celebration all comes alive in so many ways as well as some of the bad sides of the country as well such as political corruption and violence, family pressures about being a wife but also a 'good' wife, and the unfair education system. It was honestly so sad to see Eniola's heart be broken in so many ways in this book (similar in a way to how Wuraola's spirit and body are beaten by Kunle) as he saw his father for who he really was, not a teacher hero but a man prone to depression and unable to help his family when they most need it, and also saw his parents choose his sister's education over his own. The fact that Eniola went from a boy who dreamed of university to one who eventually picked up a machete in a moment that changed his world forever was devastating and the broken boy at the end of the novel was heartache personified.
On the other hand, Wuraola's life and problems are so very different to Eniola's - while he is struggling to find food to eat, she is balancing a needy, problematic boyfriend as well as her loud yet loving family and societal expectations on her as a Nigerian woman but also a daughter of a prominent family. But through the story, we see how good her family is, her father's kindness and her sister's courage, as well as her mother's love for her children as well as her moments of charity towards Eniola.
The almost last scene at the end of the book in the taxi broke my heart and I don't think I'll ever forget it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Child death, and Violence
erebus53's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I went into this book not knowing anything about it. As a result I was about 9 hours in before I started seeing the point of the book. It really starts with slice of life things, and a broad cast of Nigerian characters, and it is difficult to see all the connections that will eventually be built.
Amongst the main players are,
a woman who is a doctor who is being pressured by family to marry the man she has been dating,
his father who is a politician,
her mother who is trying to hold a family together,
the woman she buys her handmade dresses from,
a boy who works in the tailoring shop,
his family and their hopes and financial struggles that have been immense since his father was laid off by government funding cuts for schools.
These disparate characters seem to have little in common except locality. Each has their own history, drives and challenges. The pace is slow and half way through I was feeling a little lost when it came to understanding the significance of some things. Although frustrating, this is part of the point of the book. Without a big picture of what is going on, it is easy to ignore small things that contribute to a problem. This is a major theme of the story, but it takes a back seat to the unfolding interplay of characters.
As a backdrop we see a country that lives with shortage of medical and teaching staff (caused in part by the exodus of graduate students), and a divide between rich and poor that leaves those who are destitute or disabled begging on the streets. There is also some disability narrative with a mother who is terrified that her children will be Dyslexic, because she feels that her personal survival was only possible due to marrying a man with a good job.
Logical things happen but it still feels affronting. The last 5% of the book is a rollercoaster of tenseness and revelation, and emotional resonance that would only be possible with the time and love that the reader invests in the characters to this point. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes character driven stories, has a lot of patience, and an interest in Nigeria.
Amongst the main players are,
a woman who is a doctor who is being pressured by family to marry the man she has been dating,
his father who is a politician,
her mother who is trying to hold a family together,
the woman she buys her handmade dresses from,
a boy who works in the tailoring shop,
his family and their hopes and financial struggles that have been immense since his father was laid off by government funding cuts for schools.
These disparate characters seem to have little in common except locality. Each has their own history, drives and challenges. The pace is slow and half way through I was feeling a little lost when it came to understanding the significance of some things. Although frustrating, this is part of the point of the book. Without a big picture of what is going on, it is easy to ignore small things that contribute to a problem. This is a major theme of the story, but it takes a back seat to the unfolding interplay of characters.
As a backdrop we see a country that lives with shortage of medical and teaching staff (caused in part by the exodus of graduate students), and a divide between rich and poor that leaves those who are destitute or disabled begging on the streets. There is also some disability narrative with a mother who is terrified that her children will be Dyslexic, because she feels that her personal survival was only possible due to marrying a man with a good job.
Logical things happen but it still feels affronting. The last 5% of the book is a rollercoaster of tenseness and revelation, and emotional resonance that would only be possible with the time and love that the reader invests in the characters to this point. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes character driven stories, has a lot of patience, and an interest in Nigeria.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Murder, Death, Kidnapping, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Medical content, Ableism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Vomit, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Abandonment, and Cancer
Minor: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Suicide
bibim's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, and Medical content
Minor: Child death
nadia's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed this book. Well, as much as you can enjoy a book on such tough subject matter. Set in modern-day Nigeria and covering themes of mental health, toxic relationships, abuse, corruption, death, grief, poverty and so much more, this is no easy read. It's been a while that I've read a book that is so purely 'sad' as it says on the (StoryGraph) tin!
Following on from Stay With Me, I remain a fan of Adébáyọ̀'s writing. I could tell I was reading the words of a skilful writer, and yet it was all so easily digestible. Nothing is overdone.
I can't decide how I felt about the change in pace towards the end of the book. On one hand I appreciated the switch-up; on the other, it felt a little rushed!
All in all, an incredibly worthwhile read, and I especially appreciated how the ending of the book accurately reflects the harsh realities of real life for a lot of people.
Following on from Stay With Me, I remain a fan of Adébáyọ̀'s writing. I could tell I was reading the words of a skilful writer, and yet it was all so easily digestible. Nothing is overdone.
I can't decide how I felt about the change in pace towards the end of the book. On one hand I appreciated the switch-up; on the other, it felt a little rushed!
All in all, an incredibly worthwhile read, and I especially appreciated how the ending of the book accurately reflects the harsh realities of real life for a lot of people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
happyknitter2020's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Loved it, possibly the best book I will read this year, definitely in my Top 10 📚 of 2023.
It's absolutely tragic, Nigerian culture, the difference between the haves & have nots, political corruption, violence, domestic abuse, child criminal exploitation & depression.
Sparkled with sadness.
It's absolutely tragic, Nigerian culture, the difference between the haves & have nots, political corruption, violence, domestic abuse, child criminal exploitation & depression.
Sparkled with sadness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Violence, and Murder
bibliophile_nemo's review
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, and Death
mayy_y's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
This book started out slow. I was almost tempted to dnf it, but I’m happy i got to finish it.
I love the way the stories of everyone ties together.
This book is filled with a deep sadness unlike any other book I’ve read. I went into this blind, so I actually thought this was a romance book. I had the shock of my life😭
But yeah, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to the next book by the author.
I love the way the stories of everyone ties together.
This book is filled with a deep sadness unlike any other book I’ve read. I went into this blind, so I actually thought this was a romance book. I had the shock of my life😭
But yeah, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to the next book by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death
auteaandtales's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Eating disorder, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Colonisation, and Gun violence
bookswithnicolee's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Kidnapping
Minor: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Suicide, Blood, Death, and Medical content
mamaofperfectpayton's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Grief, Violence, Death, and Kidnapping
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