katsbookishthoughts's review against another edition
4.0
What can I say about this book? It was a gripping read which I didn’t anticipate at all. I’m still reeling from the picture it paints of the life experienced by young Nigerian girls even up to recent years. Horrific. I don’t know how much I will want to reread it (the only reason I have not given it five stars) but I am glad that I did read it. I can see the effort that has gone into crafting this into a story that is both well written and captivating even as it tells of such horrors.
megs_reads_'s review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thesandrapages's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
MC is a gem & there are a few truly good characters in here, but many can only be described as villainous and cruel — look up TW if needed before reading!
crabbygirl's review
2.0
this was a such a promising novel: the use of Pidgin English in dialect and in thought process could be creative and direct (p.144 it is looking like she just glum a ceiling fan on a hat and put it on her head) and also poetic and true in a way that is only achieved when English is your second language (p.61 your mind is so full of worry, it is pouring all over your face). The initial story was compelling and felt reminiscent of Adichie but then things take a weirdly *soft* turn when her supposed saviour (who has been channelling to both Adunni and the readers that he's taking her to the faceless and unwieldy Lagos to sell her to "Big Madam" and prostitution) is actually selling her into domestic service, the mildest form of human trafficking there is. Sure she'll be beaten by her boss daily, but compared to what we think was going to happen, this is a gift. And the gifts keep coming in magical waves: a co-servant actively helping her find a scholarship, a compassionate ex-pat who happens to live down the street, a convenient vacation for the mean boss lady when language lessons are needed. A really good book just collapses into it's YA candy fluff. And here's how I know the book was edited or influenced by YA: the requisite litany of approved positions on the current 'pet issues' to ward off any criticisms about not properly condoning sexism, systemic racism, colonialism, climate change, capitalism, and religion. To be honest, I'm surprised Adunni didn't suddenly realise she was gay (although, with the own voice movement, such a declaration is only allowed to come from actual gay writers)
dace's review
5.0
5⭐️ one of the best books i’ve ever read. the ugly truth about women life in African countries, i was in shock while reading it and so angry about the things that happen to them and how no one cares about that. this book reminded me that hard work pays of and that you can achieve your dreams if you work hard enough for them
onyourmarkgetreading's review
5.0
Just loved this book. Adunni is a character that will stay with you for a long time. At first I thought the dialect would distract me from reading but it just drew me more into the book and felt genuine to Adunni’s character. I even noticed later as she learned English more that the author was able to change her language a bit to show her progress.
The whole book is about Adunni finding the strength to get her louding voice so she can do what she always wanted - get an education. The values her mother instilled in her before her death were priceless to Adunni. Nothing could stop her. She carried on no matter what stood in her way.
Unlike her mother, the men in her life were damaging to her. Her father betrayed her. Morofu abused her. Mr. Kola sold her into slavery. Big Daddy tried to rape her. Only Kofi and Abu at her housemaid job were able to offer some sign to Adunni that not all men are out to destroy her.
Does this speak to a woman’s role in Nigeria? It seems like woman can be so successful in Nigerian culture and that they own many businesses like Big Madam, but even still they succumb to abuse.
Her strength and perseverance are so remarkable. “Tomorrow will be better than today” is sort of her mantra that she passes on to Ms. Tia when she is is forced into a ritual bath that leads to her flogging or torture as a way to bear children.
Thankfully Ms. Tia comes to Adunnis rescue and helps earn a scholarship. Ms. Tia and Khadijah were mother figures to Adunni and helped her find her way.
One of my favorite parts of this book is a small scene with Adunni and her brother. When her brother is forced to search for her by their father when she runs for Morofu he finds her hiding in squalor. Their eyes meet and he doesn’t reveal her to their dad. The utmost act of sibling love. It moved me.
Loved loved loved this book. Tragedy and triumph. Everyone was rooting for Adunni. I can’t wait for this to be a movie.
The whole book is about Adunni finding the strength to get her louding voice so she can do what she always wanted - get an education. The values her mother instilled in her before her death were priceless to Adunni. Nothing could stop her. She carried on no matter what stood in her way.
Unlike her mother, the men in her life were damaging to her. Her father betrayed her. Morofu abused her. Mr. Kola sold her into slavery. Big Daddy tried to rape her. Only Kofi and Abu at her housemaid job were able to offer some sign to Adunni that not all men are out to destroy her.
Does this speak to a woman’s role in Nigeria? It seems like woman can be so successful in Nigerian culture and that they own many businesses like Big Madam, but even still they succumb to abuse.
Her strength and perseverance are so remarkable. “Tomorrow will be better than today” is sort of her mantra that she passes on to Ms. Tia when she is is forced into a ritual bath that leads to her flogging or torture as a way to bear children.
Thankfully Ms. Tia comes to Adunnis rescue and helps earn a scholarship. Ms. Tia and Khadijah were mother figures to Adunni and helped her find her way.
One of my favorite parts of this book is a small scene with Adunni and her brother. When her brother is forced to search for her by their father when she runs for Morofu he finds her hiding in squalor. Their eyes meet and he doesn’t reveal her to their dad. The utmost act of sibling love. It moved me.
Loved loved loved this book. Tragedy and triumph. Everyone was rooting for Adunni. I can’t wait for this to be a movie.
linnea_h's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
felici_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This story of Adunni was beautiful, filled with her voice, love, passion and her sorrow all mixed together. The audiobook narration was masterful. This will definitely be one of my favorite books of the year.