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bookishkellyn's review against another edition
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thought this was just going to be a dual POV novel about an infertile couple (Akin & Yejide) and the second wife (Funmi) forced upon them in the tradition of polygamy. But the book’s synopsis barely touches on the real drama that unfolds in the rest of the story–lies, deception, infidelity, murder, death. Akin was THE most duplicitous character in the book. He reminds me of a quote: “Imagine the messiest person you know. It’s a man, isn’t it?” The plot twists were an A+.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Infertility, Child death, Abandonment, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: Gun violence, Excrement, and Murder
kellyofcali's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A very tough story - not for those who cannot deal with a series of crushing blows - but well written and I did feel it paints a picture of a certain place and experience. I don't know if I can say I enjoyed it, per se, given the heaviness, but I am glad I read it. I will say it is "pitched" mush differently than it reads - it's more about being in a marriage, relationships, and being a parent than about a second wife. I also found it ended a bit suddenly for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Grief, Child death, Dysphoria, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Infertility, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Abandonment, and Physical abuse
Minor: War
prairiek's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Gaslighting, Violence, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content, Bullying, Death of parent, Chronic illness, and Death
mikebond's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Meraviglioso romanzo sul legame tra genitori e figli che nemmeno le tragedie della vita possono rompere completamente.
Bella 'impostazione con due voci narranti che si alternano e raccontano i fatti dalla propria prospettiva.
Un romanzo che fa piangere, arrabbiarsi, ma anche sperare. Lo consiglio!
Bella 'impostazione con due voci narranti che si alternano e raccontano i fatti dalla propria prospettiva.
Un romanzo che fa piangere, arrabbiarsi, ma anche sperare. Lo consiglio!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity and Pregnancy
Minor: Police brutality, Violence, and Sexual content
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
Moderate: Violence
davidbythebay's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Death, Abandonment, Child death, Chronic illness, Grief, Medical content, and Murder
nadia's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! There were many different facets to it and it's a story richer and more complex than it may seem at first glance, and I’m always appreciative of books set in Nigeria and featuring Nigerian culture, traditions, and customs.
I was hoping to love it even more but I didn't fully connect with the characters and some of their actions and I wasn't as emotionally impacted as I thought I would be.
It's definitely one to check out if the themes of motherhood, family, marriage, and what it means to love are some of your favourites!
I was hoping to love it even more but I didn't fully connect with the characters and some of their actions and I wasn't as emotionally impacted as I thought I would be.
It's definitely one to check out if the themes of motherhood, family, marriage, and what it means to love are some of your favourites!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Infertility, Violence, and Infidelity
sarinha_lu's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
yoursaswell's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Murder, and Infidelity
bookish_houseplant's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is probably the most emotionally difficult book I have ever read. I just finished it and I'm shaking and sobbing. After part one as someone who has always wanted children but doesn't have any yet, I had to put it down. I picked it back up today and read the rest all at once. It's like a train crash; terrible to watch but you can't look away. Don't read this if you want something light-hearted. However I rate books on how much they make me feel something and this book is beautifully written and absolutely tore my heart out. If you're up for that, I highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pregnancy, and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
If you enjoyed Violet Evergarden I think you would appreciate this and vice versa