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jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
5.0
Childless mothers and motherless children are the focus of this excellent debut that examines the lengths people will go to for love and family. The structure cleverly untangles the lies and secrets within a marriage set against the backdrop of the political turbulence of Nigeria in the 1980s. The ending is breathtaking. Read it.
It may not actually be a five-star book but that ending is lodged within me and has made me forgive any shortcomings.
It may not actually be a five-star book but that ending is lodged within me and has made me forgive any shortcomings.
gabybenitez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow what a book! The writing (as many have mentioned) is impeccable. The drama is also through the roof! Incredible weaving of the internal world with the external/political. Such incredible and heartbreaking portrayals of grief following the loss of a child/children . Took me awhile to get into because it stressed me out but ultimately a phenomenal read.
emmabeckman's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the writing. Loved how this novel felt ~crafted~, like you can tell that the author probably wrote out a detailed plan about all of the major plot points AND when in the narrative they were going to happen. You're given enough hints that something has happened that the reader doesn't quite understand so you know you're anticipating something, but it still hits you like a ton of bricks when it's finally revealed. Despite all that, something about the pacing felt a bit sluggish to me, and while I did enjoy the twists and reveals, I often did not feel desperate to continue reading when I had to put it down. I think I need to pick up a mystery/thriller to get that drive back.
shailydc's review against another edition
4.0
This book ended up being much more intense than I had expected. It was really interesting to read about how a decision made with the best intentions can end up having dire, life-changing consequences.
omoleso's review against another edition
5.0
“I shut my eyes as one receiving a benediction. Inside me something unfurls, joy spreads through my being, unfamiliar yet unquestioned, and I know that this too is a beginning, a promise of wonders to come.”
I don’t want to let this book go. I feel like I deserve more from the author. How did Yejide and Rotimi build their relationship? What did they talk and laugh about? As I thought more about the nature of their budding relationship, tears flowed down my eyes. I cried and let myself cry even more.
Yejide is a heroine, a brave woman that almost lost it all. To see her have this joy at the end felt so fulfilling and deserved. She has earned it and the author rightfully doled out what she deserved. The betrayal, deception, agony, grief, anguish and loss of her many years in life will finally take a back seat to her joy and merited euphoria.
I’m thankful to Ayobami Adebayo for such a beautiful work of fiction. It’s always a delight to read her work.
I don’t want to let this book go. I feel like I deserve more from the author. How did Yejide and Rotimi build their relationship? What did they talk and laugh about? As I thought more about the nature of their budding relationship, tears flowed down my eyes. I cried and let myself cry even more.
Yejide is a heroine, a brave woman that almost lost it all. To see her have this joy at the end felt so fulfilling and deserved. She has earned it and the author rightfully doled out what she deserved. The betrayal, deception, agony, grief, anguish and loss of her many years in life will finally take a back seat to her joy and merited euphoria.
I’m thankful to Ayobami Adebayo for such a beautiful work of fiction. It’s always a delight to read her work.
iriniv's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Αποτυπώνει τη θέσης της γυναίκας στη σύγχρονη Αφρική. Παγιδευμένη ανάμεσα στον εκμοντερνισμό και τις παραδόσεις της πατριαρχικής κοινωνίας, παλεύει να φέρει τη ζωή στα μέτρα της.
favie_omah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75