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elingunnar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
For the first chapter, I wasn’t sure, but after that I was hooked.
This story works well in the context of Nigeria (multiple wives, the honour and pride of having children, childlessness).
I liked the forays to the present and how this tied the story up at the end.
Some great male AND female characters, would appeal to all sorts of readers.
There are two narrators, but mostly the wife, with extra information sifted in from the husband as you read, giving background and helping us see the whole story and feel empathy for both.
Had some rather shocking twists – I didn’t see this as a ‘twist’ book, but loved the turns and complications.
It is very moving, and some parents reading may find it upsetting (dealing with the death of children).
Some interesting medical conditions were also brought into the story (I was on Wikipedia immediately!).
A brilliant story of the couple’s love, their marriage, attempts to have children, the consequences of their actions – very much set in Nigeria and wouldn’t easily have worked in another country/context.
The Nigerian revolution however, also part of the story felt tacked on, didn’t feature strongly . I didn’t feel interested in this aspect of the story or enjoy it – I was much more engaged in the couple’s family struggles and heartaches.
Something a little different, but absolutely compelling. A book set in another country such as Nigeria makes this refreshing and a book to talk about.
With thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
This story works well in the context of Nigeria (multiple wives, the honour and pride of having children, childlessness).
I liked the forays to the present and how this tied the story up at the end.
Some great male AND female characters, would appeal to all sorts of readers.
There are two narrators, but mostly the wife, with extra information sifted in from the husband as you read, giving background and helping us see the whole story and feel empathy for both.
Had some rather shocking twists – I didn’t see this as a ‘twist’ book, but loved the turns and complications.
It is very moving, and some parents reading may find it upsetting (dealing with the death of children).
Some interesting medical conditions were also brought into the story (I was on Wikipedia immediately!).
A brilliant story of the couple’s love, their marriage, attempts to have children, the consequences of their actions – very much set in Nigeria and wouldn’t easily have worked in another country/context.
The Nigerian revolution however, also part of the story felt tacked on, didn’t feature strongly . I didn’t feel interested in this aspect of the story or enjoy it – I was much more engaged in the couple’s family struggles and heartaches.
Something a little different, but absolutely compelling. A book set in another country such as Nigeria makes this refreshing and a book to talk about.
With thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
abiluvr's review against another edition
4.0
Oh boy do I have some conflicting feelings- these feelings are a testament to the great writing of Ayobami. Ugh I’m so glad the ending wasn’t too sad. Everything is always the husband’s fault, yet I still pity him because they both actually loved each other. He definitely could’ve alleviated her pain but didn’t so I’m very pissed at him. All in all, great book that packed a punch- read it in like 3 hours.
simplymodest's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
You meet the love of your life at University and marry shortly after meeting. His family expects him to have many wives, but you and he have always said that polygamy was not for your marriage. But after four years of marriage and many visits to medical specialists and healers, you still can’t get pregnant, and the family brings your husband his 2nd wife and forces him to marry her. Broken, hurt, and furious, you know you must get pregnant. You finally do, but at what cost???
Whew… so the synopsis is what made me want to read this book. I had no idea what I was getting into. While the book has a slow start and sometimes slow moments that seem to drag, the twists in the story will keep you intrigued. This story is an interesting and heart-wrenching read.
I listened to the audio version of this book and found it helpful. A lot of Nigerian language is used, and cultural ways of addressing each other could be a bit confusing only because they were new to me. I found this part to be very informative, and I learned more about the culture. For the first novel, I found the book to be done well. I recommend this one, but I also give you the warning that it does move a bit slowly.
dotuke's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
michkeenah's review against another edition
4.0
4.5!!! haven’t been this engrossed in a book in AGES, it was so good. heartbreaking tho but such is life
spoiler alert but i do genuinely think that yejide is a terrible woman. like i get why she acted the way she did but i don’t agree at all. epitome of bad vibes
spoiler alert but i do genuinely think that yejide is a terrible woman. like i get why she acted the way she did but i don’t agree at all. epitome of bad vibes
spencer0o7's review against another edition
4.0
Wow I just finished the book and I don’t even know what to say, i almost cried at the end which I NEVER do reading books. The book is kind of insane but I love it
leticiasother's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-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
4.0
rjskitt's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.25