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annie26's review against another edition
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Devoured this book, absolutely devoured it. This is such an interesting one because it’s subject matter is objectively difficult to read (grief, abuse, domestic violence) but the way it’s structured - short chapters, varying POVs and a really compelling story makes it so very readable. Fans of Tomorrow I Become a Woman will want to read this, thank you to Canongate for my copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
aggystacked_'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? No
5.0
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for a copy of this book.
Aged 17 Nani loses her older sister, Udodi and shortly after her father.
The resulting grief leads her to find comfort with a preacher man, but she soon finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage.
This is a heart-breaking novel with gorgeous prose.
This is a story about finding strength and hope even in the darkest places.
Looking forward to reading more of Unigwe's work.
Aged 17 Nani loses her older sister, Udodi and shortly after her father.
The resulting grief leads her to find comfort with a preacher man, but she soon finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage.
This is a heart-breaking novel with gorgeous prose.
This is a story about finding strength and hope even in the darkest places.
Looking forward to reading more of Unigwe's work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Homophobia
thecandidbookclub's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lipglossmaffia's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kofoworola's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
*******
Spoilers ahead.
*******
There are some writers you can always count on, and Chika Unigwe is one of them.
Do not let the pretty cover deceive you. This book will traumatize you in ways you didn't know was possible.
The story is heavy but the heaviness wasn't too unbearable in the beginning. The minute Ephraim entered the story, I hated him. He just gave bad vibes with his preaching and busy body and I wanted to knock Nani's head for letting him in.
The anticipation of all the bad things I knew were going to happen was overwhelming. I wanted to stop reading but I could not stop. When it finally happened, I wasn't shocked. I was disappointed, I felt sick, but I wasn't surprised. He kept coming back, refusing to let her have time to heal and I was enraged.
I'm not going to lie, I blamed Nani for marrying him. For deciding that marrying her abuser was better than facing her family. Their relationship had deteriorated, but it had not gotten that bad. The consequences of her decision to go to Ephraim made my skin crawl.
Then I read a little further, understood her more, but I still blamed her. I couldn't help it.
I was irritated by Ugo and their mother's behaviours. For deciding that they didn't want to know what had happened to her, didn't want to deal with it. It was difficult to wrap my head around; that a mother (sister) would choose to suppress their feelings instead of fighting for their loved one. They should have fought for Nani earlier.
I'm very grateful that Nani's story ended well. These stories sometimes don't. I'm grateful to the author for giving us that.
This was a heavy read, but also very well written.
*******
Spoilers ahead.
*******
There are some writers you can always count on, and Chika Unigwe is one of them.
Do not let the pretty cover deceive you. This book will traumatize you in ways you didn't know was possible.
The story is heavy but the heaviness wasn't too unbearable in the beginning. The minute Ephraim entered the story, I hated him. He just gave bad vibes with his preaching and busy body and I wanted to knock Nani's head for letting him in.
The anticipation of all the bad things I knew were going to happen was overwhelming. I wanted to stop reading but I could not stop. When it finally happened, I wasn't shocked. I was disappointed, I felt sick, but I wasn't surprised. He kept coming back, refusing to let her have time to heal and I was enraged.
I'm not going to lie, I blamed Nani for marrying him. For deciding that marrying her abuser was better than facing her family. Their relationship had deteriorated, but it had not gotten that bad. The consequences of her decision to go to Ephraim made my skin crawl.
Then I read a little further, understood her more, but I still blamed her. I couldn't help it.
I was irritated by Ugo and their mother's behaviours. For deciding that they didn't want to know what had happened to her, didn't want to deal with it. It was difficult to wrap my head around; that a mother (sister) would choose to suppress their feelings instead of fighting for their loved one. They should have fought for Nani earlier.
I'm very grateful that Nani's story ended well. These stories sometimes don't. I'm grateful to the author for giving us that.
This was a heavy read, but also very well written.
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