In 1980s Nigeria, Yejide and Akin navigate a marriage defined by their mutual decision to reject polygamy. However, after four years without a child, the social pressure from Akin’s family forces a second wife into their home, shattering Yejide’s stability. In a desperate bid to conceive and reclaim her position, Yejide seeks supernatural interventions and undergoes a phantom pregnancy. The narrative follows the couple through decades of political upheaval and personal grief as secrets regarding infertility, infidelity, and sickle cell anemia unravel their partnership.
Readers of contemporary African fiction and domestic drama choose this book to understand the intersection of traditional patriarchal expectations and individual autonomy. The story provides a stark look at the psychological toll of societal demands on women’s bodies and the fragility of trust within a marriage. Those who finish the book walk away with a clear perspective on how cultural preservation and family legacy can dictate the private lives and moral choices of individuals during times of national transition.
Inward-looking and thought-provoking; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2017
- Language
- EN
