A review by wellreadsinger
Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli

dark emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Love is a powerfully transformative emotion and books like this make me consider the ways in which grief is the same. It has the power of a domino to not only effect you, but those that are trying to bolster you while shouldering their own grief.

Honestly, reading this book became a chore and not necessarily because we are with Eve as she processes her grief—that’s intentional as it makes you feel as if you’re experiencing the stages with her, but because of other things. 

Eve and her family have the resources to get her professional help, but because of the harmful notion instilled in her young that black folk don’t talk to outside people about their issues, she practically refuses to consider it when it is (belatedly) presented to her. Her family could have offered to go to therapy WITH her since they were grieving too. Eve’s journey to healing was supported by a group of family and friends that loved her deeply, but no amount of love can save a person that does not want to help themselves.    

That being said, a professional may have told Eve that her husband Quentin being close lipped about his demons and even about his traumatic childhood coincides with him not leaving a note before taking his own life. He probably did not want to burden his wife any further since she would have to mourn him. 

Throughout the book Eve is harassed by Q’s (racist and grieving) mother. Aspen treated Eve horribly the duration of her marriage to Q and it irks me to no end that he never really checked his mom aside from one time. 

Religion and preconceived notions taking priority over doing what was best to help  made the healing journey more tedious when it didn’t have to be. This book missed an opportunity to show how family and connections rooted in love can come together even when a possible solution is not their prerogative. I commend the author for this necessary raw depiction of grief because it compels us as people to practice empathy.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings