A review by divyareads
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

5.0

afi’s story made me cry by the end. the author manages the balance between evelyn’s wishes and afi’s perfectly. medi brings up an issue not talked about enough in western feminism - even if your husband can provide for you, it does not mean you have to tolerate his lack of love. a man can only give you everything when he meets more than your material needs. the scene in which afi brings up the double standards - that eli, her husband - can have multiple wives without it being called cheating but she cannot so much as flirt with another man really moved me. it is not often than in narratives such as this, the woman stands up for herself on this level and furthermore, the couple doesn’t get a happy ending. medi’s writing makes for swoon worthy moments between eli and afi that made me forget his wrongdoings even as a reader. but she still grounds us in the reality that being sweet only in crisis is empty love. i do not know if this author has other works available right now, but i would love to read more from her. i have not been so captivated by a book in a long time!
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