Let me get a confession out of the way, fast; I was hesitant to buy this book. The surname of the author makes me uncomfortable.
I bought it because a favourite of mine nudged me and convinced me that it was a good read (I kept thinking to myself, you are the local publisher, what else would you say?). End of confession (unamused).
I had no high hope for this book, but it turned out to be a pleasant read. It was a truly heartbreaking tale, albeit one that was realistic in its plot.
This book has two things going for it; firstly, it is delicately and tenderly told. Secondly, it details grief from the rare perspective of a female northern Nigerian Muslim, a narrative that is not very common within the Nigerian literary space. It was a truly refreshing perspective.
One can’t help but feel the pain of Tambaya at every turn while also being uplifted by her resilience in the face of unanswered questions that surround loss and brokenness. While a very easy read, one complaint of mine was that the book could have been shorter and more succinct. However, for a debut novel, it is highly commendable. I don’t know why I had this nagging feeling that this work served as a form of therapy and release for the author. There is a cathartic ring to it.
3.4/5
* In an unrelated note, this Guinness Gold makes a lot of sense. A clear favourite of mine, if only the brewers will stop making it scarce. I struggle to find it in shops ?
