Dazzling Mirage by Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare

Dazzling Mirage achieves what few other works of Nigerian literature have accomplished: a thorough examination of the challenges faced by sickle cell patients in Nigeria.

Full Disclosure: This book took me, entrapped me without caution. I didn’t see myself going. I just kept turning page after page.

I was first drawn to this book because I had heard a lot about its adaptation. I had sat in a film cinematography class taught by Tunde Kelani, a filmmaking legend, and so I wondered, “What about this book made him adapt it to the screen?”.

A Moral Dilemma in Love

A few pages in, I experienced a significant moral dilemma, giving considerable thought to the appropriateness of marrying someone with whom there’s an increased risk of having a child with sickle cell anemia.

Is the marriage worth proceeding with because of the deep love you share with your partner?

Funmiwo, the main character, had similar questions in her quest to find out exactly why she ended up being a sickler when both her parents were in health care.

“I’m yet to be convinced. How could you, with your medical background, take such a brash decision knowing fully well what psychological and physical torture it would bring in the future? There must have been a different reason, a selfish one at that.”

“Mother, I haven’t said you do not love me. What I don’t know is why you both agreed to have me. Look, I know you share my pains, but why, why did you have to make me come to live a life of pain and uncertainty? At least you knew the life cycle of a stickler. Mother, why did you do it?”

Although there is a twist that follows these questions she asks her parents, which takes the reader’s perspective about the parents and the story in a different direction, it was still a relevant question to ask—a debatable one, for that matter.

Why do some people do it? Is love a great reason to marry (and have children) despite genotype incompatibility?

A Symbolic Read

Dazzling Mirage made me sad and got my emotions and mind reeling. It is not a complicated book, but it does tackle a very complex subject, and the author did an excellent job of bringing to life the struggles of sickle cell patients through their beautiful writing.

Dazzling Mirage achieves what few other works of Nigerian literature have accomplished: a thorough examination of the challenges faced by sickle cell patients in Nigeria.

A Sensitive Yet Crucial Topic

I appreciate the fact that this author doesn’t overwhelm the readers with too much research. Although Dazzling Mirage is about sickle cell anemia and aims to raise awareness about it, the details about the disease are presented in a way that feels well-researched yet not overwhelming. The information is layered and spread throughout the book beautifully and engagingly, making it feel like you’re reading a novel rather than a research paper.

This is a remarkable achievement.

This novel allows the reader to experience the life of a sickle cell patient through the main character, Funmiwo, and other characters and the stigma they face.

Having personally experienced the debilitating pain of migraines, I have a deep understanding of what it feels like to be in pain. However, as I delved into this book and read about Funmiwo’s struggles with sickle cell anemia, I was struck by the immense challenges faced by those living with this disease.

The author’s writing was so powerful that I felt as though I was experiencing the pain and discomfort alongside her. Dazzling Mirage is an eye-opener and a powerful tool for raising awareness about sickle cell disease and breaking down the stereotypes and stigmas associated with it.

Let’s not forget that this is also a somewhat romance novel. As you read through the pages, you may find yourself wondering how to navigate a situation where this illness becomes a barrier to finding love. This can be a complex and multifaceted issue that requires patience, understanding, and support.

Mrs Fadipe got up and stood across from her son. She now spoke in the same tone she addressed him with when he was only a child. She was stern with him. “Now, listen, my boy, if you choose to be irrational about this, I’ll not let you off easily. I don’t want a sickler for a daughter-in-law, understand? If you think I’ll spend my old age taking care of a sickly daughter-in-law who may not even be strong enough to give me children, then you must be joking. I want your wife to be an asset to me, not a liability!”

She stormed away before Sanya could find the right words.

He knew his mother would be a hard nut to crack. He knew it would one day come to this. He shrugged and went out.

A Whirlwind of Emotions

I was thrilled when Funmiwo finally found true love, breaking the stereotypes associated with marrying someone with sickle cell anemia. Her courage and determination to overcome the challenges associated with the condition were truly inspiring and a testament to her strength and resilience.

It was heartwarming to witness such a powerful love story and a reminder that true love knows no boundaries.

I clearly see why the great Tunde Kelani adapted this book, and I recommend it.