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travelseatsreads's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I requested Wahala as I was immediately drawn to the cover which is so striking and colourful and I honestly feel that this translated through to the book itself. Wahala is a bright vibrant story of 3 Anglo- Nigerian friends and their everyday lives in London. The book bring us through the trials and tribulations of the lives of Ronke, Boo and Simi and we see how they deal with the everyday dramas of relationships, motherhood, family drama and of course friendship.
The first 85% of the book is an enjoyable slow burning but drama filled women's fiction style story so I can kind of see the comparisons to Sex and the City in the marketing. These 3 girls are out living their best lives while negotiating their home lives in what seems to be a perfect balance. Until....
Cut to the last 15% of the book and hold on to your seats this ride is going to get bumpy. While throughout the book there was a simmering tension and you could certainly feel things weren't quite right, the twist and turns that come in the last section of the book are absolutely gripping.
The characters within the book are each 3 very clear individuals and it's great to see that shown from the classic married with kids to the girl who isn't too sure if she even wants kids. The book oozes with personality and vibrancy in every way. I especially loved the insight and glimpses it gave to traditional Nigerian culture but also to how these have adapted over time as people have moved about. The constant mentions of the food had my tummy rumbling throughout. I think it would have been amazing if there was a little glossary of the Nigerian terms at the back to save putting the book down and googling each time a new one popped up.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, I probably would have preferred a little bit more action earlier on but that's just me. A must read think, Big Little Lies with a seasoning of My Sister, The Serial Killer.
The first 85% of the book is an enjoyable slow burning but drama filled women's fiction style story so I can kind of see the comparisons to Sex and the City in the marketing. These 3 girls are out living their best lives while negotiating their home lives in what seems to be a perfect balance. Until....
Cut to the last 15% of the book and hold on to your seats this ride is going to get bumpy. While throughout the book there was a simmering tension and you could certainly feel things weren't quite right, the twist and turns that come in the last section of the book are absolutely gripping.
The characters within the book are each 3 very clear individuals and it's great to see that shown from the classic married with kids to the girl who isn't too sure if she even wants kids. The book oozes with personality and vibrancy in every way. I especially loved the insight and glimpses it gave to traditional Nigerian culture but also to how these have adapted over time as people have moved about. The constant mentions of the food had my tummy rumbling throughout. I think it would have been amazing if there was a little glossary of the Nigerian terms at the back to save putting the book down and googling each time a new one popped up.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, I probably would have preferred a little bit more action earlier on but that's just me. A must read think, Big Little Lies with a seasoning of My Sister, The Serial Killer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death of parent and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion, Body shaming, Grief, and Stalking
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Abortion, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Grief, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
"'Isobel Babangaro. You know - Mr Babangari's daughter.'...'Simisola! You want to finish me, abi? I told you not to be associating with her...See me trouble. You dis girl, you want to kill me, ehn? Why are you going there? They are dangerous. Too much wahala...'"
In present day London, three mixed race, Nigerian-British women in their mid-late thirties are best friends. There's wealthy and ambitious Simi (Simisola), who works in fashion and is married to Martin; unlucky in love dentist, Ronke with unreliable boyfriend Kayode; and part-time scientific think tank employee, Boo, who feels trapped at home with husband Didier and toddler Sofia. The women share life's ups and downs, but this is unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of Iso (Isobel), a childhood friend of Simi's. As Iso ingratiates her way into their lives, could three be company and four a crowd?
Wahala means trouble in Yoruba, Nigeria's most commonly spoken language. What follows is four months in their lives, leading up to a dramatic event, hinted at in the prologue. Chapters alternate between the three women, enabling the reader to understand their feelings and actions; the reader can see their weaknesses and how they are being manipulated, in a way they cannot. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the three women, because they and their lives are vividly drawn. Their love of Nigerian food (which sounds amazing) and culture and their use of Yoruban words and phrases contributes to the atmosphere of the book, pulling the reader into the characters' lives. With a building sense of dread, the women became more and more influenced by Iso. Funny and dark, it doesn't shy away from tackling issues of infidelity, struggling with motherhood, relationship difficulties, race and racism, with its focus on love, friendship and family. I absolutely loved this and look forward to the film adaptation.
The addition of recipes at the back, for the characters' favourite dishes, is inspired!
In present day London, three mixed race, Nigerian-British women in their mid-late thirties are best friends. There's wealthy and ambitious Simi (Simisola), who works in fashion and is married to Martin; unlucky in love dentist, Ronke with unreliable boyfriend Kayode; and part-time scientific think tank employee, Boo, who feels trapped at home with husband Didier and toddler Sofia. The women share life's ups and downs, but this is unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of Iso (Isobel), a childhood friend of Simi's. As Iso ingratiates her way into their lives, could three be company and four a crowd?
Wahala means trouble in Yoruba, Nigeria's most commonly spoken language. What follows is four months in their lives, leading up to a dramatic event, hinted at in the prologue. Chapters alternate between the three women, enabling the reader to understand their feelings and actions; the reader can see their weaknesses and how they are being manipulated, in a way they cannot. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the three women, because they and their lives are vividly drawn. Their love of Nigerian food (which sounds amazing) and culture and their use of Yoruban words and phrases contributes to the atmosphere of the book, pulling the reader into the characters' lives. With a building sense of dread, the women became more and more influenced by Iso. Funny and dark, it doesn't shy away from tackling issues of infidelity, struggling with motherhood, relationship difficulties, race and racism, with its focus on love, friendship and family. I absolutely loved this and look forward to the film adaptation.
The addition of recipes at the back, for the characters' favourite dishes, is inspired!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Violence and Stalking
cookreadrepeat's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Review to come.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Racism, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion, Chronic illness, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, and Stalking
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