Review of My African Woman.
Posted: 07 Oct 2024, 21:35
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "My African Woman." by Dr. Adeleke Eniola Oyenusi.]
My African Woman by Adeleke Eniola Oyenusi is a story that is set between two countries, Nigeria and England. There aren't two countries that are so vastly different in cultures than Nigeria and England. Well, the United States and Nigeria, too. The story revolves around Equnbiyi, a curious young man living in Nigeria with his family. He was groomed to be a traditional worshipper and was encouraged to follow in his father's footsteps. He practiced his incantations every day, trying to learn them by heart. One day, a white priest came to preach in the Anglican Church. He was the only white man most of the village had ever seen. Biyi and Father Morgan soon became friends, and Father Morgan persuaded Biyi's father to let him go to school. Biyi finally started school at the age of ten. Biyi went to school with the daughter of his father's best friend. Her name was Comfort, and soon, Biyi and Comfort became inseparable. After they grew up, they got married, and Comfort soon got pregnant and had a baby boy.
After ten years of service, Father Morgan was transferred to London. He arranged for Biyi to receive a scholarship in London, a move that would take Biyi away from his wife and son and thrust him into a culture vastly different from his own. The shock of this new environment, both in terms of lifestyle and people, was a significant challenge for Biyi.
Being born and raised in the United States, I could not imagine the kinds of food that they ate in Nigeria. They ate things like water yam pottage, cocoyam, Egusi sauce made of ground melon seeds, grilled bush rat, grilled squirrel, etc. These foods are not just about sustenance, but they also reflect the resourcefulness and adaptability of the people in the face of poverty. It is whatever you can find to eat when resources are unavailable. People make do with what they have. I also was astounded by the treatment of women in Nigeria. They are second-class citizens and are not allowed into certain buildings or areas. They also must bow before their husbands.
The only thing I found a little disappointing about the book was the author's writing, which was slow to read. He wrote in a straightforward way that you could understand, but it was a little slow-paced. This may be because English is the author's second language. Otherwise, the book was pleasant to read. The characters were well-defined and well-developed. There were some twists and turns and a surprising ending, but you will have to pick up the book to find out. The book was well-edited, as I only found a few things that needed to be corrected.
All in all, I found the book very enjoyable, and so I will give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. If you are interested in how people in Nigeria live, this book is for you. The language was very clean, with no profanity, and the sex was not descriptive.
******
My African Woman.
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
My African Woman by Adeleke Eniola Oyenusi is a story that is set between two countries, Nigeria and England. There aren't two countries that are so vastly different in cultures than Nigeria and England. Well, the United States and Nigeria, too. The story revolves around Equnbiyi, a curious young man living in Nigeria with his family. He was groomed to be a traditional worshipper and was encouraged to follow in his father's footsteps. He practiced his incantations every day, trying to learn them by heart. One day, a white priest came to preach in the Anglican Church. He was the only white man most of the village had ever seen. Biyi and Father Morgan soon became friends, and Father Morgan persuaded Biyi's father to let him go to school. Biyi finally started school at the age of ten. Biyi went to school with the daughter of his father's best friend. Her name was Comfort, and soon, Biyi and Comfort became inseparable. After they grew up, they got married, and Comfort soon got pregnant and had a baby boy.
After ten years of service, Father Morgan was transferred to London. He arranged for Biyi to receive a scholarship in London, a move that would take Biyi away from his wife and son and thrust him into a culture vastly different from his own. The shock of this new environment, both in terms of lifestyle and people, was a significant challenge for Biyi.
Being born and raised in the United States, I could not imagine the kinds of food that they ate in Nigeria. They ate things like water yam pottage, cocoyam, Egusi sauce made of ground melon seeds, grilled bush rat, grilled squirrel, etc. These foods are not just about sustenance, but they also reflect the resourcefulness and adaptability of the people in the face of poverty. It is whatever you can find to eat when resources are unavailable. People make do with what they have. I also was astounded by the treatment of women in Nigeria. They are second-class citizens and are not allowed into certain buildings or areas. They also must bow before their husbands.
The only thing I found a little disappointing about the book was the author's writing, which was slow to read. He wrote in a straightforward way that you could understand, but it was a little slow-paced. This may be because English is the author's second language. Otherwise, the book was pleasant to read. The characters were well-defined and well-developed. There were some twists and turns and a surprising ending, but you will have to pick up the book to find out. The book was well-edited, as I only found a few things that needed to be corrected.
All in all, I found the book very enjoyable, and so I will give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. If you are interested in how people in Nigeria live, this book is for you. The language was very clean, with no profanity, and the sex was not descriptive.
******
My African Woman.
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
