Daughters Who Walk This Path

by Yejide Kilanko

An authentic, wrenching novel chronicling a young girl’s coming of age in turbulent, bustling, contemporary Nigeria.

Spirited and intelligent, Morayo grows up surrounded by school friends and family in busy, modern-day Ibadan. An adoring little sister, their traditional parents, and a host of aunties and cousins make Morayo’s home their own, so there’s nothing unusual about her charming but troubled cousin, Bros T, moving in with the family. At first Morayo and her sister are delighted, but in her innocence, nothing prepares Morayo for the shameful secret Bros T forces upon her.

Thrust into a web of oppressive silence woven by the adults around her, Morayo must learn to protect herself and her sister from a legacy of silence shared by the women in her family. Only her Aunt Morenike provides Morayo with a safe home and a sense of female community that sustains her as she develops into a young woman in a bustling, politically charged, and often violent country.

Genres: Africa, Fiction, Nigeria, African Literature, Feminism, Contemporary, Canada

329 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

A writer of fiction and poetry, Kilanko’s debut novel, Daughters Who Walk This Path, a Canadian national bestseller, was longlisted for the 2016 Nigeria Literature Prize.

Her work includes a novella, Chasing Butterflies (2015), two children’s picture books, There Is An Elephant In My Wardrobe (2019), and Juba and The Fireball (2020). Her short fiction is in the anthology, New Orleans Review 2017: The African Literary Hustle. Her latest novel, A Good Name, is available now

Kilanko lives in Ontario, Canada, where she practices as a social worker.

Reviews

[Sally906 · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAUGHTERS WHO WALK THIS PATH is a debut novel for Yejide Kilanko and she is going straight onto my ‘must buy immediately she produces a new book’ list. The problem is - when you read a book that so profoundly moves you and drags you into the story, immerses you completely and doesn’t let you go until the very last page – you know you are not going to be able to do justice to it in a review. DAUGHTERS WHO WALK THIS PATH follows Morayo from her early childhood, through her teenage years and on to adulthood. Her family lives in Ibadan in Nigeria and is middle class so can afford to send their children to private schools and on to university. Because of her status in society Morayo is fairly well sheltered from the more violent aspects of being a woman in modern day Nigeria. Protected, that is, until her cousin Bros T comes to stay with them and she is sexually abused by him. Her silence is ensured when he threatens to do the same with her young sister if she tells. At twelve years of age, this is a heavy burden to place on a young girl. When eventually she finally manages to tell her parents what is happening, her relationship with her parents’ changes and she is driven to suicide. This is the point where her aunt Morenike, who has her own secrets, steps in and takes Morayo under her wing, a step that proves to be Morayo’s lifeline and although her character changes as she tries to find her emotional place in the world her aunt remains a constant.

The characters all come alive on the pages, they are very well portrayed, all have a role to play, and all evolve as the book progresses – even Bros T changes and evolves, though not for the better. Morayo has real growth as she overcomes the feelings of despair, guilt and lack of self-respect and discovers that she can find happiness. Her relationship with her Aunt Morenike is something special indeed. Through their relationship author Yejide Kilanko also manages to bring Nigeria alive for the reader. A country that is vibrant and modern yet still seething with a violent underbelly, seeped in superstition and reluctant to give up long established traditions. DAUGHTERS WHO WALK THIS PATH is an enthralling read and should not be missed, Yejide Kilanko’s second book ‘When Land Spirits Cross Big Waters’ is due for release in 2014 and I for one will be looking out for it and pre-ordering as soon as I can.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yejide Kilanko has used her storytelling gifts to tell overlapping coming-of-age stories and break the silence around cultural traditions and superstitions regarding albinism, gender roles, sexual molestation, and inter-tribal marriage in Nigeria between the years 1982 and 2007. Her writing style is deceptively simple, and while some characters model ways to have difficult conversations, it doesn't feel contrived. I particularly loved the solidarity amongst girls and women in these stories: sisters, friends, mothers and aunties holding each other up and calling each other out; being right, wrong, tender, stern, etc. Another great touch is how all 22 chapters and the epilogue open with proverbs that are thought-provoking but also hint at the actions to come! A glossary and pronunciation key for many [West African] terms would have been nice. I'd be interested in Nigerian readers' thoughts on this book. "The thirsty fig sits and waits, waiting patiently for the arrival of the rains."

[duck reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Discussion of rape follows.

I really enjoyed the fact that this is a novel that is very heavily concerned with female characters and intense familial bonds between them. I was more ambivalent about the novel's portrayal of rape and response to it. On the one hand, the female characters are by and large depicted as having immense and strengthening solidarity around this issue, but on the other there is no suggestion by the characters or the narrative that men could or ought to be expected to show solidarity, support, justice, or even accountability. In some cases, older, supportive female characters end up in the odd position of asking their younger female relatives to forgive their rapists for the sake of family or peace of mind.

This is a coming of age novel, which is not the most directed of genres in general, but I found the storyline to be particularly aimless, largely due to lack of depth or foundation-building. Without this depth, some events are reduced to seeming like retellings of clichés about survivors of rape, tropes of hastily-inserted obstacles between star-crossed lovers, and the weirdly unexamined assumption that children always bring healing and fulfillment to their mothers (and the corollary to this, that only children can do so).

[Oyinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a couple of days since I read this book (all in one go because it was that good), and I've not been able to stop thinking about it. It was a really powerful tale of girlhood, womanhood, relationships between mothers and daughters, and also of generational silence.

I've had my eyes on this book for months, and when my copy arrived, I couldn't wait to dive in. It was well worth the wait. I laughed, I cried, and I was triggered by many parts of this book. Yejide Kilanko did a great job of weaving so many elements together, and over such a long period of time.

We're introduced to the MC, Morayo, when she's just five years old, and we follow her through her life till she's well in her 30s. The book is divided into 5 parts, with all parts except one focused on Morayo. One of the 4 parts is focused on Aunty Morenike, and we're able to get an in-depth look into her story.

There were so many themes discussed, and I loved how the author dealt with them. This is a Nigerian book set in Ibadan, so it was really great to read all the names, places, foods, and events that I could relate with, especially the election subplot.

This book evoked so many raw feelings in me, and at so many points, I wanted to enter the book and fight so many people. We got to see a comparison of two mothers when faced with similar situations. She also explored the harm that's brought about by the refusal of parents to be straight forward with children about sex and sexual activities.

I 100% recommend this book to anyone and everyone. 💫💫

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is an incredibly strong debut novel from a very talented writer! i found kilanko's style beautiful, and though she is dealing with some very difficult, heartbreaking subjects, i was left feeling hopeful at the end. i even had my eyes well up with tears twice in the last part of the story - something that is a fairly rare occurrence for me when i read. (kilanko is not sappy or sentimental, though.)

i think what is so powerful about this novel is the idea that, while the events are specific to the characters kilanko has created, the subjects are truly universal - particularly in regard to rape.(how kilanko portrayed the various reactions, behaviours, and emotions was, i thought, very well done.) there are some powerful, supportive women in daughters who walk this path, so the idea of an important network of female family and friends was something i truly enjoyed experiencing. the novel is set during contemporary times in nigeria, but there are still strong traditional values and tribal lines. many things continue to be a struggle for women, including their safety, and society is portrayed as quite patriarchal still.

and yet, there is hope.

note to remember: mentioned in the book is nadine gordimer's Burger's Daughter (noted as one of auntie morenike's favourite books). have to read that now.

[Friederike Knabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her debut novel, Daughters who walk this path, Yejide Kilanko tells the story of Morayo, a young woman with a burden to bear that, when life seem to fall apart for her in her teens, feels almost too heavy for her young body and too hurtful for her gentle soul. Growing up in a busy extended family in Ibadan, Nigeria, she is surrounded by caring parents and loving aunties. At the age of five, her baby sister enters her life: she is an "afin", an albino, and, as in many African traditional societies, albinos are watched with suspicion and assumed to bring bad luck. Morayo quickly accepts her role of protector for her young sister, in more ways than she can imagine. Drawing on both her intimate knowledge of the realities in the country where she grew up and of experiences in her professional life in Canada, Yejide Kilanko has created a deeply affecting and moving portrait of a young woman's struggle for survival and a life beyond pain and silence. The author's storytelling is personal, direct and lively. Her sympathetic portrayal of Morayo's close and extended family, the network of friends and neighbours gives the reader a realistic view and insight into complex community relationships.

Morayo and Eniayo live a childhood in relative comfort, loved by their mother and adored by their father. Both parents, however, have busy lives and the role of daily attention is handled by the "aunties". They come and go, stay for a while and leave again. The protection in the family also means that Morayo is trusting and cannot detect danger signs early enough. Kilanko heads her chapters with relevant Nigerian proverbs, such as, "The enemy lurks in the courtyard, the evildoer lives in the home" - a thought provoking hint for the chapter that follows. Despite the caring environment around her, when Morayo is sexually assaulted by a family member, a veil of silence descends on the family. Secretive behaviour and lies are forced upon the young girl; guilt is one-sided. How can the voice of a young girl be weighed against family ties and traditions? Brought up with deep reverence and respect towards her elders, obedience to her parents, she has nowhere to turn. How can she break the wall of silence that surrounds her and, at the same time protect her younger sister? Fortunately, one of her visiting aunties senses what might have been happening to her niece and opens her heart to her. Later, to help Morayo confront her demons, aunty Morenike tells her own story; it has surprising parallels to Morayo's, and both are heart breaking. Through their growing friendships and closeness, there is the hope for a path forward into a brighter future. The young woman's inner struggle between following the rules set by her family and her fundamental need to be herself and stand up for who she has become is, to say the least, dramatic. Kilanko conveys these emotions with great sensitivity, understanding and writes with a confident hand.

While DAUGHTERS... is a deeply felt, intimate story of Morayo and those around her, the novel is also more than that. Kilanko adds just enough of the political and societal trends and tensions into the narrative, to make us appreciate the challenges faced by young people, especially women, in modern-day Nigeria. Furthermore, underlying Morayo's story, and reaching far beyond the specific settings of a place or country, the author explores a range of fundamental moral questions that apply everywhere where young children and teens can be exploited, where traditions and norms restrict personal security and freedom, especially for women. How to stand up to domestic and sexual violence and ensure that the habits for secrets and lies in families and close-knit communities are overcome so that they no longer destroy young people and their place in society? Yejide Kilanko debut is an extraordinary achievement. It is powerful and engaging and it makes me look for her next book, already in production.

[Tumelo Motaung · Rating 5 out of 5]

To reduce Yejide Kilanko's Daughters Who Walk This Path to a rape narrative is to do both the author and their work s great injustice. In the time that I've been engulfed in this book I've unravelled the genealogy of three generations of women, each with it's own pressures and rewards, findings ways to coexist in an ever changing Nigeria.

Adaptation is a major theme in the book, which traces the varying ways that Morayo has to adjust her lenses to make sense of the world, starting with the birth of her albino sister, who is so fragile that Morayo takes it upon herself to protect her from, espacially from the male gaze lurking within her own home.

Morayo squints to the point of almost blindness when she is raped by her own cousin, and goes on to live much of her love walking around in a darkness where she but only cannot recognise herself, butthe validity of her lived experience is further threatened the silence (and seemingly empathy) from her own family.

We follow the bloody sword of musculinity across 30 years of Morayo's life, watching it cut her up, over and over again, until she gives into the the very source of her wounds, using it as a superpower, protecting her own heart.

Finding an ally in Aunt Morenike, who has already worked for years to not be defined by the shadow of her shame, Morayo begins here unravelling. To find a confidant in times of turmoil makes the days bearable, Kilanko insinuates.

The book is rich in context, and the characters are well developed, with the issues of the East and West of Nigeria subtly brought to light, and over time resolved with the unity of tribes. So self-reflective is the text that you often wonder further on, how things would have turned out had people chosen a better leader for themselves and not been afraid of change.

Why is it that good people are dealt such misery when those who commit injustices are so often rewarded with wealth and prominence?

I enjoyed, very much, Kilanko's tacit storytelling, where she refused to indulge the reader with the whole story. I think this is one of the reasons that make it such a good narrative, that the idea of morality and justice is not shoved down our throats, but the entire picture is drawn for the reader to get an understanding of how things get to be, so they can make a decision for themselves on how they want things to change going forward.

Daughters Who Walk This Path is essentially about the ways in which women have for years gone to war with patriachy (and at times won). How they have banded together to find solace, while pealing beans at the back of their houses, in their market stalls, while dancing with their bridesmaids, sitting together in a crammed flat talking, or at the side of a hospital bed, there has never been a shortage of community open to tend to the familiarity of one's gashing wounds.

[Elohor Egbordi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so scared of reading Daughters Who Walk This Path. I thought to myself, "When you finally read it, what will you have to look forward to?"

I was right. Still am.

It's a great way to begin the year, but what am I to do with myself after now?

This book was relatable in a way that made me highlight sentences, laugh out loud, and bawl my eyes out.

What can I say further? It's definitely worth it! 6 out of 5 stars!

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary Nigeria, trying to survive and thrive in a patriarchal society, Morayo and her younger sister are girls who live with their family in a middle class existence. Although dictators come and go very little political information is relayed in this book, though missing girls and burnt buses are occasionally mentioned. The author's focus is more on the changing faces and societal issues of this country. As always when reading a novel about a country I am unfamiliar with I am amazed that rape goes on in the best of homes, with cousins or trusted friends and so little is done about this situation. I loved the characters, especially Aunt Morenike, who was the most understanding and endearing of characters. Families are large and close, all cousins are brothers and sisters, parents are parents to all. I loved the closeness between the woman, learning about their culture and the love between the sisters. The prose is very matter of fact but well done and the story flowed well. Overall I really enjoyed this book and loved that is showcased the women of this country.

[Temi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried at the end when Morayo read Aunty Morenike’s letter. This novel is beautifully written and I’m certain it is relatable for many Nigerian women. It provides a critical look at Yoruba culture, family dynamics, politics, and the ever present misogyny. Personally, I feel I needed to read this and I hope many others do too.

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor character development.
Boring.

[Mwongeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kilanko starts out weaving a beautiful but sad story that brings out a lot about the Yoruba culture and people, as well as many issues experienced in contemporary Nigeria. I really liked this bit.
I like that I actually felt for Moraya, and it's not just because of what happened to her, but because of Kilanko's writing style.
I also like the simplicity of the writing and the use of proverbs at the start of each chapter.
Unfortunately, the effortless weaving stopped at the start of Morenike's story, after which the plot took over and the story didn't read as good as it did at the start. It felt like she had so much to say and had to say it all in this one book. Oh well.

Two things of note:
1. Rape is a painful issue and there is still a lot of misunderstanding around it. I appreciate Kilanko for bringing out some of the nuances concerned and explaining them as well. It makes sense that she is a social worker and this came out clearly from Morenike's role in Moraya's life. I didn't like the way the rape situations were handled in the story but I hope that this will stop being reflected in how things happen around us.
2. We should aim, as a society, to make the basic unit of society i.e. the family as safe as possible for children. It really grates at my soul to hear of reports of children being abused by the very people that ought to protect them in the places where children ought to be safe.

That said, this is Kilanko's first book and I think it came out really well all things considered. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is actually 4.5/5

I found myself unable to put down Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko; so compelling was the story, with rich characters, multifaceted storylines, and exceptional detail and care given to the very deep and emotional topics covered in this book. While I do not intend to give anything away, however I must warn that Daughter Who Walk This Path deals with such issues as rape and incest. Kilanko delves into these topics without overpowering the reader, yet allowing the reader to feel as though they know the characters and explains, not excuses, how women can be treated in Nigeria. Daughters Who Walk This Path beautifully demonstrates the intricately close bonds between women; especially family members allowing the reader a rather intimate look into the world of friendship and familial bonds in Nigeria. I was truly stunned to learn Daughter Who Walk This Path was Kilanko’s first book, it does not read as though it is a debut novel. I shall be looking forward to reading future books by this author and recommend Daughters Who Walk This Path to adult readers and discussion groups.

[Amaka Azie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written and captivating story about a Nigerian girl called Morayo living in Ibadan, the western region of the country.
It follows her life with her closely knit family and a horrid experience of rape by someone she trusted.
I experienced multiple emotions reading this book and that’s how any good story should make a reader feel.
I skipped the political campaign part of the story because I found it unnecessary to the plot. But after that short interlude, I continued to enjoy the narrative.
I recommend this book for anyone who wants a realistic view of how social issues are addressed in Nigeria, with sometimes unfair and sadly, unacceptable outcomes for women.

[Purpleaekua Bobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! What a breathtaking story. I loved it. So many parts made me sad but such is life: some parts are sad, many happy. It is a story of women, daughters, of life happening and how this forces the women to live with the situations that come their way.

[Faith]

This was a particularly triggering one for me. I felt so many emotions while reading and even now. FRTC.

[Olá Tàlàbí · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping!!!! A bildungsroman that takes us into the lived reality of the Nigerian girl child, growing up into a woman and the intimacy of the everyday home/private and gendered public spaces we inhabit and must make do with. The sexual violence that can happen to us from inside the house and the various ways this insidious but very common violence is handled. The way the author handles this sensitive topic without sensationalizing it is everything.

The author makes you feel the pain, heartbreak, and trauma of the protagonist, an eldest daughter who breaks her silence in order to protect her younger sister from similar fate, if not exposed. The oppressive silence from her mother and father will break you, but the affirming care from her survivor aunt (who also had the loud support of her fearless illiterate mother) will mend you. I am reminded that especially because patriarchy demands our silence is why we must continue to speak up, loud, and clear about our damages and unfold all the layers of silence built around 'taboo' topics.

I have not been able to put down the book since I started reading it. I am glad I bought this debut and have already purchased every book this author has churned into the world. I want to meet the author and tell her thank you for writing this powerful kaleidoscopic piece about familiar female casts (grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins, nieces, friends, neighbours and random "nosey" strangers). The vividly portrayed women, imbued with narrative depth akin to slow-cooked anything, will stay with you well beyond the pages of the novel.

[yasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone needs to read this book.

[Bettina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Buch entführt den Leser in die völlig andere Kultur Nigerias und lässt ihn dabei ein Wechselbad der Gefühle durchleben.
Es begleitet das Mädchen Morayo beim Aufwachsen, und sie hat es dabei keineswegs leicht. Eines Nachts, als ihre Eltern und ihre fünf Jahre jüngere Schwester Eniayo wegen einer Hochzeit über mehrere Tage nicht zu Hasue sind und Morayo wegen einer Malariaerkrankung nich mitfahren konnte, wird sie von ihrem Cousin Bros T., der seit einiger Zeit bei ihnen wohnt, vergewaltigt. Überhaubt ist Vergewaltigung in diesem Buch ein größeres Thema.
Doch es gibt natürlich auch schönere Ereignisse, zum Beispiel als sich Morayo zum allerersten Mal verliebt. Auch ist es sehr interessant, welche Entwicklung sie mit der Zeit durchmacht.

Alles in allem ist es ein sehr bewegendes Buch.
Die einzigen Schwierigkeiten, die ich am Anfang hatte, waren zum einen die Anreden untereinander, die so ganz anders sind als wir es gewohnt sind. Aber an diese hatte ich mich dann doch recht schnell gewöhnt, obwohl ich viele Namen nicht einmal aussprechen kann.
Viel Schwieriger sind dagegen die vielen fremde Begriffe, die teilweise kursiv geschrieben sind und - nehme ich zumindest an - die Orignalsprache darstellen. An sich finde ich so etwas nicht schlimm. Aber es gibt zum Beispiel viele Kleidungsstücke, die nur so benannt, aber nicht genau beschrieben werden, sodass ich mir nicht vorstellen konnte, was die Menschen in dem Buch eigentlich auf dem Leib tragen.

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although both plot and characters are written with very little embellishment, Kilanko is a very effective storyteller. However, there are some puzzling gaps in her narrative. She makes sure we know that it is a big deal that Morayo, the main character, must go far from home, to a different state on the other side of the Niger River, for the training for her National Youth Service Corps year. The distance heightens the element of surprise when she meets Kachi, her teenage beau, at the training site. After only a few pages, though, Morayo informs Kachi that she has been transformed to serve her year much closer to home. As a plot device to remind her readers about Morayo's relationship with Kachi, this is all well and good, but as part of an actual narrative it leaves something to be desired. For the most part, omission of such details doesn't detract from the overall sense of the story, but I found each omission distracting as I had to flip back through the pages to see if I actually had missed something. Finding that I hadn't, each time I could only wonder why Kilanko chose not to add the very few lines that would have provided the missing details.

[Myne Whitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters who walk this Path paints the picture of women in Nigeria and who could be women anywhere. The characters are fully realized and are people anyone might recognize or identify with, and this means that the book is all the more moving and compelling. My only issue with the book was that it seemed to want to write everything about Nigeria and the cultures in one book that already has its remit defined. The foray into elections and the political machinery was unnecessary as was the introduction of the issue of inter-ethnic marriage. Otherwise, Yejide writes very well, in language that is easy and engaging, and any reader will find themselves running the whole gamut of feelings, from laughter to tears and back, by the time the book concludes.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I quite liked the first half of this book. The writing flowed well and I cared about Morayo and Morenike. Many important topics were initially raised well including rape, stigma, shame, ignorance around albinism. I wanted these topics and the relationships between the characters to be better developed in the second half but I was disappointed. Instead the plot was taken over by various romances with undeveloped secondary characters. For me, the ending left much to be desired

[diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize I had read this book before until I was a quarter of a way in but nevertheless, I read it still and loved it!

[Favour Obioha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel shook me. The whole story is still very much alive in my head. I was so hyped about it —even went as far as recommending it to two of my friends who started and finished it before me— that I was somewhat disappointed when I couldn't get into the story. Not until I was halfway through. And from that halfway, the book became unputdownable.

Set in Ibadan, Nigeria, this book explores the life of two heros: Morayo and her aunty, Morenike. Divided in five parts, with all but one focused on Morayo, Morayo with Aunty Morenike, with her sister, Eniayo, and with the love of her life. The other one was focused on Morenike alone, and was narrated in the third person's voice. The rest of the story was narrated by Morayo herself from when she was only five years old all the way down to her Thirties. Each chapter begins with a proverb which gives off a little insight to what is to come.

The themes explored in this book are: Girlhood/womanhood, rape, sexual abuse, family ties, mother-daughter relationship, spinsterhood, Nigerian politics, pregnancy, childbirth etc.

Here, I learnt the importance of communication between mothers and daughters especially on topics related to sex. These things are often talked about in hushed tones; with voices and words that are not clear enough for young girls to comprehend. There was a very thick tension between Morayo and her mother after she was violated which pushed her into the bosom of Aunty Morenike. Morenike became her safe place even as she ventured into adulthood. They both navigated life together which was the path I believe they walked in this story. I wish an "Aunty Morenike" to all the victimized girls who don't have smooth relationships with their mothers.

Yejide finished work in this book, y'all. This is one of those you keep close so you'd read them twice every year. The book is that good and I hope everyone gets to read it too.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This is the story of Morayo, a Nigerian girl, whose life is cruelly altered when she is abused by a relative. The story spans three decades from Morayo's blissful, Yoruba childhood in the 1970s, through her traumatic adolescence, into her troubled twenties and thirties

The story looks at surviving as a child amongst many family secrets and how abuse can lead to the mental and physical breakdown of the victim.

It is a character driven story with no plot and the story explores how social issues are dealt with in Nigeria.

I loved the use of Nigerian folk stories to teach life lessons. Morayo is a well written character. She is vulnerable yet intelligent and she gained a wealth of knowledge from her close relative, Morenike. Morenike became a mentor to Morayo, however Morenike becomes involved in political advocacy and I did not enjoy this part of the novel. I understand the author was trying to show us how politics are run in the country but I felt this had no benefit or relation to the story.

The second half of the novel was strong. I have read many coming of age stories but I did not expect this part to go in the direction in which it did. It explored regaining control, ownership and consent in a very interesting way.

4.5 ⭐️ stars for me, I would have given it 5 ⭐️ but I did not enjoy the political chapters.

[Wendy Marube · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Listen, my child, we do not abandon the business of living life just because of what people will say about us. Do people not even talk about the dead?"

Through the tears and the smiles, I read this story breathlessly.
The main character, Morayo is raped as a pre-teen by a family member. The story follows her life as she navigates life haunted by the ghost of that incident and how her entire family dynamic is transformed as a result. It is a story of pain and healing; betrayal and loyalty; fear and courage; and above all, it is a story of hope and the healing power of love.
Written in an accessible language and style, each chapter is prefaced by a proverb.
'Truth arrives at the market but finds no buyer. It is with ready cash that people pay for lies.'

[Hafs · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW//Rape

I was so uncomfortable throughout this book, I barely finished it (before it finished me). It is sth that happens and especially back in the mother continent it goes by undetected and the victims are told to shut up about it bc its a dishonour?? Like how is it her fault that men are so abhorrent? How is it my fault?? my sisters fault? my mother's fault? How is it anyone's fault??

Our MC Moraya is just about 12 when it happens? 12?? My lad in satanism that is a CHILD. A LITERAL CHILD. They say it be your own ppl and they spoke no lies. Bros T (sounds like a criminal name right?) was her cousin and he just-

Anyways I need to recover from this.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. The novel deals with many complex issues including the clash of tribal traditions in present day Nigerian society, social and political change, dignity and self-respect, sexual abuse and manipulation and discusses places carved out for women in contemporary Nigeria. Full of empathy and amazing characters, I will be on the lookout for Kilanko's second book and definitely recommend this one.

[Amina · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS is the coming-of-age book for every Nigerian girl and a must read for every Nigerian mother and blockbuster movie not yet made! Yejide made her place in my top 5 and she did it with such raw talent that I can’t believe she isn’t on everyone’s TBR

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

cried about five times. I recommend