After reading Ayobami’s debut novel, Stay with me, I became an huge fan, eagerly anticipating anything she wrote. Although I was thrilled when ‘A Spell of Good Things’ was released, I somehow let it sit on my shelf for months (not sure what to call this procrastination). With my expectations soaring, I finally dived into the book.
Synopsis
“Eniola is tall for his age, a boy who looks like a man. Because his father has lost his job, Eniola spends his days running errands for the local tailor, collecting newspapers, begging when he must, dreaming of a big future. Wuraola is a golden girl, the perfect child of a wealthy family. Now an exhausted young doctor in her first year of practice, she is beloved by Kunle, the volatile son of an ascendant politician.
When a local politician takes an interest in Eniola and sudden violence shatters a family party, Wuraola and Eniola’s lives become intertwined. In her breathtaking second novel, Ayobami Adebayo shines her light on Nigeria, on the gaping divide between the haves and the have-nots, and the shared humanity that lives in between.”
My thoughts
Ayobami is a masterful writer who paints vivid pictures with her words. Her descriptions transported me to Nigeria, I swear I could smell the Nigerian air. Wuraola’s life as a house officer evoked nostalgic memories of my own time at UCH, down to living in the house officers’ residence. Ayobami’s skill at bringing characters and stories to life remained consistent.
As the story progressed, it gripped my emotions and shook me to the core. It’s a sobering reminder of the harsh realities faced by many Nigerians, and the cycle that seems unbreakable. My heart ached for Eniola; he didn’t deserve any of the hardships he endured. I’m usually not one to demand closure in books, as I don’t mind coming up with my own endings, but I found the conclusion of this book to be jarringly abrupt. It stirred up some emotions in me and had me pondering life well after I finished it. ( Nigeria can happen to anyone.)
If you’re here simply to find out if it’s worth reading, my answer would be yes. However, I did find the beginning a bit slow, as if she was setting up the story for too long. I personally believe it could’ve been more concise.
Rating
If you’ve read A spell of good things, what are your thoughts on it?
Leave a Reply