Like most bookworms, I read books quietly, as it helps me absorb the setting more. Ogadinma made me speak out loud at intervals, protesting and getting pissed off with many of the people in the book, including Ogadinma herself.
Not speaking out led her to go through many trials and pain. Ogadinma didn’t know how to say no, and that’s sad for a lot of different reasons.
She didn’t have a good foundation growing up, her sense of value was off, and the person that was meant to help her be her best self became the one that made her go further down the pit of pain. She also accepted things too easily, even if she was having a riot in her head about what she should have done. This book highlights just how important family support is, and a lack of it was glaring in Ogadinma’s life.
The deliverance scene got me pissed off the most. I always say that you should know God for yourself; then, you won’t be swayed by what people say and claim. I can only imagine what would have happened if she had taken her stand against all of them.
The story is filled with bad decisions, low self-esteem, violence and pain, rape, army brutality, old-age beliefs, and hope. I hope Ogadinma gets the right mentoring and starts to heal.
On the bright side, I love that the storyline moved around the country, I had gotten used to storylines just situated in Lagos, and it was exciting travelling around with her. Finally, I love the author’s attention to detail and how she captured the scenes.
I look forward to Ukamaka Olisakwe’s next book.
