A review by bookedupandbusy
Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This is the story of Morayo, a Nigerian girl, whose life is cruelly altered when she is abused by a relative. The story spans three decades from Morayo's blissful, Yoruba childhood in the 1970s, through her traumatic adolescence, into her troubled twenties and thirties

The story looks at surviving as a child amongst many family secrets and how abuse can lead to the mental and physical breakdown of the victim. 

It is a character driven story with no plot and the story explores how social issues are dealt with in Nigeria. 

I loved the use of Nigerian folk stories to teach life lessons. Morayo is a well written character. She is vulnerable yet intelligent and she gained a wealth of knowledge from her close relative, Morenike. Morenike became a mentor to Morayo, however Morenike becomes involved in political advocacy and I did not enjoy this part of the novel. I understand the author was trying to show us how politics are run in the country but I felt this had no benefit or relation to the story. 

The second half of the novel was strong. I have read many coming of age stories but I did not expect this part to go in the direction in which it did. It explored regaining control, ownership and consent in a very interesting way. 

4.5 ⭐️ stars for me, I would have given it 5 ⭐️ but I did not enjoy the political chapters.