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A review by onemorebookpodcast
We Were Girls Once by Aiwanose Odafen
3.0
Nwakaego, Zina & Eriife are 3 young women who were pre-destined to be friends from the get go, in a friendship that was somewhat inherited from their mothers & grandmothers. This book follows their multi-generational life journey as they navigate life in modern Nigeria, UK & in the US with the Author switching between the 3 POVs.
The book was an easy read & I enjoyed how the author gave us a variety in African women’s lifestyles; a lawyer, an actress, a doctor turned politician’s wife, this held my interest throughout it all. I have to admit that I was more drawn to Ego's story which I felt was the strongest of the 3, seeing also that it covers almost half of the book. Truthfully speaking I would have just been fine with her as the only storyline really. And I also loved how the author weaves in important themes like Racism in the US & UK, political instability in Nigeria & it’s effects on the economy & the day to day lives of its citizens, Abuse of power, violence against women, misogyny, cracks in educational, health & justice system in most African countries, power of social media in activism among others. I know that that sounds like a lot but mixed with the young women’s & their mothers' narration of their day to day lives, it helped the book stay 'palatable' IMO.
It is a great pick for a Bookclub & brought up interesting conversations. I will probably pick up the prequel book 'Tomorrow I become a Woman' to read about the grandmothers' stories.
The book was an easy read & I enjoyed how the author gave us a variety in African women’s lifestyles; a lawyer, an actress, a doctor turned politician’s wife, this held my interest throughout it all. I have to admit that I was more drawn to Ego's story which I felt was the strongest of the 3, seeing also that it covers almost half of the book. Truthfully speaking I would have just been fine with her as the only storyline really. And I also loved how the author weaves in important themes like Racism in the US & UK, political instability in Nigeria & it’s effects on the economy & the day to day lives of its citizens, Abuse of power, violence against women, misogyny, cracks in educational, health & justice system in most African countries, power of social media in activism among others. I know that that sounds like a lot but mixed with the young women’s & their mothers' narration of their day to day lives, it helped the book stay 'palatable' IMO.
It is a great pick for a Bookclub & brought up interesting conversations. I will probably pick up the prequel book 'Tomorrow I become a Woman' to read about the grandmothers' stories.