Reviews with content warning for Child death - Stay with Me

“but the biggest lies are often the ones we tell ourselves. i bit my tongue because i did not want to ask questions. i did not ask questions because i did not want to know the answers. sometimes faith is easier than doubt.”

we so easily destroy beautiful love through deception. our secrets bury in between our sheets, cover us up, keep us warm in our coldest of days. in the name of protection, we actually destroy

the author is able to weave the political landscape of Nigeria into the romantic relationship between our two main characters. how that impacted the way they were able to maneuver within their relationship

it would have been a 5 star if the author has given me just a little bit more. i wanted more from the political aspects in this novel especially and more of an in-depth exploration of the love story

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darcyparcy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

3.75

This book is incredibly, deeply sad but ultimately hopeful in the end. Adebayo has a beautiful writing style and she has a way of making the characters' emotions feel like you're feeling them, too.

MAJOR content warning for child death

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jillybeanreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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davidbythebay's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Absolutely brilliant! A lovely and devastating book that looks at a marriage from the 1980s through 2008, all with the background of Nigeria and its political turmoil.

I first heard about this back in 2017 on NPR. I bought the book right before the pandemic started in 2020. And I finally read it now in September 2022. I do not know why I waited. If the discussion on NPR and the description wasn't enough, Margaret Atwood's Twitter review ("Scorching, gripping, ultimately lovely.") Should have really pushed this book forward for me as Atwood is an all-time favorite author of mine. But somehow I kept putting this off.

First, let me say that it did take me a minute to get into the swing of things. By that I mean that sometimes Nigerian customs and phrases are used that usually have context clues or translations around where they are, but as I am fascinated by culture and language I often was paused by. Also, and more importantly, the story does have a dual POV which is never explicitly labeled at the start of a chapter. It was easy to pick up within the first paragraph or sentence who was talking, but it did throw me off a bit at first.

The dual timeline (east Part begins in 2008 before going back in time to the 1980s and 90s) was easy to discern. It was very much a few chapters in 2008 with the majority of the book being a linear story of Akin and Yejide's marriage. What they went through was devastating and I won't go into it much here, but know that if you are sensitive to some topics, be warned.

Those "gripes" being laid out now, the whole book from start to finish was a captivating journey that really did sing off the page. It was lyrical and completely immersive. I learned a lot about Nigerian customs and traditions, as well as some history. This story, though, could really have been set anywhere at anytime. It is a universal story of marriage. The setting and timeperiod, however, added a whole other layer to the work and really was absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous prose sang off the page and left haunting images.

The ending felt completely right and full. Though Part 4 is short, the book has led to this moment and you can feel it. There is a hope and a future that is shadowy and unseen, but there is a great feeling at the end that left me feeling elated by the book.

Do not hesitate like I did... read this now! I see the author has a new novel coming out early next year. My plan is to not wait on that as I did this one. A new classic to be sure and a brilliant debut novel.

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laurflanagan's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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readtotheend's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

4.5

Wow, this book was unexpected in the best way. It took me on a journey and I was here for it. Love and betrayal, grief and secrets - this had it all. And it was a debut! I definitely became more and more immersed in the story as it went along - the beginning didn't really grab me but I'm so glad I kept reading. Audiobook was also excellent but I think I preferred it in print by a hair.

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jayg's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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