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tamaramo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage and Self harm
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-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
The enduring friendship between Funmi, Zainab and Enitan is what makes this book utterly engaging. Their personalities are so different but their connection so deep, which really becomes apparent when we begin to learn more of their history. I loved each of these women for different reasons, and I was hungry to learn everything about them that the book could offer.
Speaking of hungry, if you read this and don't find yourself Googling all the amazing dishes that are mentioned, then we probably can't be friends. From puff puff to efo to jollof rice to pounded yams, the food is so beautifully described I swear my mouth was watering. The way Nigerian cuisine and culture is so beautifully wrought throughout was just wonderful to read.
It's so interesting to start the story in 2015, when each woman has been through so much already, and then to travel back to the late '80s and see how much they each changed because of the events that surrounded them. The way Enitan is torn between her love for her friends and her desire to stop being seen as the lease independent of them; Zainab's passion for literature and her dream of becoming a writer; Funmi's fierce independence borne of a lonely childhood, that transforms into something so unexpected. I was absolutely hooked by this story from the beginning.
Speaking of hungry, if you read this and don't find yourself Googling all the amazing dishes that are mentioned, then we probably can't be friends. From puff puff to efo to jollof rice to pounded yams, the food is so beautifully described I swear my mouth was watering. The way Nigerian cuisine and culture is so beautifully wrought throughout was just wonderful to read.
It's so interesting to start the story in 2015, when each woman has been through so much already, and then to travel back to the late '80s and see how much they each changed because of the events that surrounded them. The way Enitan is torn between her love for her friends and her desire to stop being seen as the lease independent of them; Zainab's passion for literature and her dream of becoming a writer; Funmi's fierce independence borne of a lonely childhood, that transforms into something so unexpected. I was absolutely hooked by this story from the beginning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abortion, and Abandonment
Moderate: Miscarriage and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm
my_plant_library's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Abortion
Moderate: Death and Police brutality
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
katiemack's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a slow-burn drama that spans multiple decades and focuses on three strong female characters--it's a recipe for a strong debut, and Obaro delivers. She explores Funmi, Enitan, and Zainab's history and personalities in a tender and thorough way; I felt like I really got to know them and that she cared about her characters while writing this. Admittedly, the section of the book that focuses on their youth is more compelling than the present-day events, but the whole thing is strong. There are parts of the story that end abruptly (especially the, well, actual end of the book) or could have used more depth, but not everything can be wrapped up neatly.
This is a slow-burn drama that spans multiple decades and focuses on three strong female characters--it's a recipe for a strong debut, and Obaro delivers. She explores Funmi, Enitan, and Zainab's history and personalities in a tender and thorough way; I felt like I really got to know them and that she cared about her characters while writing this. Admittedly, the section of the book that focuses on their youth is more compelling than the present-day events, but the whole thing is strong. There are parts of the story that end abruptly (especially the, well, actual end of the book) or could have used more depth, but not everything can be wrapped up neatly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Police brutality
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to AA Knopf for the free advance copy of this book.
- DELE WEDS DESTINY is a beautiful character study of three wildly different women, whose friendship has endured across decades, distance, and differences.
- I was quite engrossed in their stories, particularly once we got to the flashback section and found out where the cracks in their relationships began.
- However, I found the ending totally abrupt. Not only did the book end at the climactic moment, but hardly anything that was unearthed in the flashbacks was addressed in the present day, and not in any let's-work-through-it sort of way. It was just told to us and then left there. I found it to be a bit baffling for a story and characters that had such promise.
- DELE WEDS DESTINY is a beautiful character study of three wildly different women, whose friendship has endured across decades, distance, and differences.
- I was quite engrossed in their stories, particularly once we got to the flashback section and found out where the cracks in their relationships began.
- However, I found the ending totally abrupt. Not only did the book end at the climactic moment, but hardly anything that was unearthed in the flashbacks was addressed in the present day, and not in any let's-work-through-it sort of way. It was just told to us and then left there. I found it to be a bit baffling for a story and characters that had such promise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Alcohol