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One for Sorrow, Two for Joy
'I loved this book so much! Intense and beautiful and heartbreaking.' Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder
It's hard to plan your future when the ghosts of the past won't leave you alone...
Stella tries very hard to be good. She tries not to be sassy, to answer back, to be noticed. Because when Stella’s father is angry, it’s like lightning and thunder and hailstones. All she can do is touch wood… or search for magpies. Two for joy.
But as Stella begins to build a new life, her past still haunts her. It will take all her grace, courage and love to heal her wounds and break free.
Set against a backdrop of London and Ghana, Marie-Claire Amuah has produced an unforgettable exploration of intergenerational trauma. Brimming with compassion, One for Sorrow, Two for Joy offers both a sensitive portrayal of the ripple effects of domestic violence, and a defiant story of friendship, resilience and hope.
It's hard to plan your future when the ghosts of the past won't leave you alone...
Stella tries very hard to be good. She tries not to be sassy, to answer back, to be noticed. Because when Stella’s father is angry, it’s like lightning and thunder and hailstones. All she can do is touch wood… or search for magpies. Two for joy.
But as Stella begins to build a new life, her past still haunts her. It will take all her grace, courage and love to heal her wounds and break free.
Set against a backdrop of London and Ghana, Marie-Claire Amuah has produced an unforgettable exploration of intergenerational trauma. Brimming with compassion, One for Sorrow, Two for Joy offers both a sensitive portrayal of the ripple effects of domestic violence, and a defiant story of friendship, resilience and hope.
320 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2023
35 people are currently reading
862 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 16, 2023
Beautiful, engaging, thoroughly engaging and storytelling about growing up, betrayal and finding your community….
In Marie-Claire Amuah One For Sorrow, Two For Joy we meet Stella at a very young age. She lives with her mother, father and brother in London but they are originally from Ghana. The book is told through Stella’s lens, we see how she is treated differently by her father, how he bask in his son but treats her unfairly. We see how hard her mother works as a nurse trying to save children, while she awaits her time to be saved. During high school she gets an autoimmune disease that pushes her over the edge. While trying to be an A+ student, stay out of her father’s way, grow up, make friends, she disc
overs if she knows on wood or search for magpies, things will work out…. Or will it?
We follow Stella from an early age, as she becomes a teenager, starts university and become a lawyer. She tries to forget her past, tries to forgive her father, her mother and brother but she finds it hard. Surrounded by friends who love her, she tries to be courageous but it is hard when the wounds won’t heal and no one will address the elephant in the room.
Set in South London (big up South London) and Ghana, we are introduced to a character who goes through a lot. We are taken into a family and friendship dynamics that is sometime difficult to navigate. The author writes convincingly about the effects of domestic violence and the effects it has on the intergenerational trauma. While very heavy topics are explored in the book, the character is very defiant and we are at no point feeling pity for them. This is a story about friendship and resilience that will stick with you for a very long time.
For me, I LOVED the portrayal of friendship, I think the author’s writing shined during those moments and I lived for them. I wanted more. This is such a great read!
Look out for this later in the year, you are going to love it!
In Marie-Claire Amuah One For Sorrow, Two For Joy we meet Stella at a very young age. She lives with her mother, father and brother in London but they are originally from Ghana. The book is told through Stella’s lens, we see how she is treated differently by her father, how he bask in his son but treats her unfairly. We see how hard her mother works as a nurse trying to save children, while she awaits her time to be saved. During high school she gets an autoimmune disease that pushes her over the edge. While trying to be an A+ student, stay out of her father’s way, grow up, make friends, she disc
overs if she knows on wood or search for magpies, things will work out…. Or will it?
We follow Stella from an early age, as she becomes a teenager, starts university and become a lawyer. She tries to forget her past, tries to forgive her father, her mother and brother but she finds it hard. Surrounded by friends who love her, she tries to be courageous but it is hard when the wounds won’t heal and no one will address the elephant in the room.
Set in South London (big up South London) and Ghana, we are introduced to a character who goes through a lot. We are taken into a family and friendship dynamics that is sometime difficult to navigate. The author writes convincingly about the effects of domestic violence and the effects it has on the intergenerational trauma. While very heavy topics are explored in the book, the character is very defiant and we are at no point feeling pity for them. This is a story about friendship and resilience that will stick with you for a very long time.
For me, I LOVED the portrayal of friendship, I think the author’s writing shined during those moments and I lived for them. I wanted more. This is such a great read!
Look out for this later in the year, you are going to love it!
April 21, 2023
EXQUISITE . PROFOUND . EFFERVESCENT . CONFLICTED . CATHARTIC. BRUTAL . COMPELLING . URGENT . HONEST . TEAR-JERKING . HOPEFUL . POIGNANT . BOLD . UNCOMFORTABLE . NECESSARY. IMMERSIVE . PROVOKING . VALIDATING . BEAUTIFUL . PENSIVE . EXPOSING . FREEING . RAW
“𝘛𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘦. 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘣𝘣𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘺. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴-𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴.”
What an absolute ride. I finished this book and sobbed!!!
A stunning exploration of anxiety, grief, trauma and hope!
It opens with our MC Stella still at school and the writing style cleverly reflects this. It's like reading the diary of a child and as much as she is dealing with some utterly harrowing experiences, I found it incredibly honest and innocent in a way that compelled me to keep reading. As the MC grows and matures, so does the prose to reflect this.
This was a story about survival, the beauty of friendship, the yearning for sibling camraderie, the affects of childhood trauma, the fallout of that being passed from parent to child and the way we are able to navigate adulthood based on what we've been taught about our individual existence.
We meet characters that are able to be loving and nurture the things that want to grow with one hand, while using the other to cause utter devastation.
Characters that would have people thinking "wow, how are you so amazing" while they are going to bed everyday thinking "I don't know what I'm doing".
Characters that seem to be favoured and cherished, only to reveal that they were constantly paralysed with fear.
It was refreshing as hell to meet so many multifaceted people (Mum/Nurse Florence). That was one of the things that made it so relatable, realistic and sooo conflicted.
Because of this, there is also an element of grief and mourning that takes place but not the the usual way that we associate it. It's more about the loss of the people they COULD have been, the lives they COULD have lived and finding ways of accepting what is.
This book doesn't try to be a literary masterpiece or thought provoking. It doesn't try to move or compel you. It doesn't patronise or berate. It doesn't try to teach you or enlighten you. It doesn't try for your approval.
It doesn't try.
It just... is.
The fact that there wasn't one moment that I found boring and was always excited to pick it back up, is a testament to Amuah's literary skills and ability to really engage the reader. I felt like it was a letter addressed personally to me.
The fact that 'The Girls' was capitalised, didn't go unnoticed and thinking about my own 'The Girls' and the plethora of ways their friendship has literally saved my life, I understood the need for it.
The narrative is not easy so I still don't know how Amuah managed to make it so addictive while giving us SO MUCH to talk about and debate over. I definitely think it's one that you can't go into with blinkers on - you can't only meet Stella as far as you've met your own life experiences; you have to be willing to live them with her and the early narrative style definitely encourages this.
I can't believe this is a debut!!!
If you are looking for the ultimate sad girl book then look no further. This will break your heart into pieces and then offer the glue and sticky tape to attempt to start putting it back together again. Reading this was like being drowned and coming up for air all at once!
Hands down my favourite read of the year!
I cannot wait to see what Amuah does next!
“𝘛𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘦. 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘣𝘣𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘺. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴-𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴.”
What an absolute ride. I finished this book and sobbed!!!
A stunning exploration of anxiety, grief, trauma and hope!
It opens with our MC Stella still at school and the writing style cleverly reflects this. It's like reading the diary of a child and as much as she is dealing with some utterly harrowing experiences, I found it incredibly honest and innocent in a way that compelled me to keep reading. As the MC grows and matures, so does the prose to reflect this.
This was a story about survival, the beauty of friendship, the yearning for sibling camraderie, the affects of childhood trauma, the fallout of that being passed from parent to child and the way we are able to navigate adulthood based on what we've been taught about our individual existence.
We meet characters that are able to be loving and nurture the things that want to grow with one hand, while using the other to cause utter devastation.
Characters that would have people thinking "wow, how are you so amazing" while they are going to bed everyday thinking "I don't know what I'm doing".
Characters that seem to be favoured and cherished, only to reveal that they were constantly paralysed with fear.
It was refreshing as hell to meet so many multifaceted people (Mum/Nurse Florence). That was one of the things that made it so relatable, realistic and sooo conflicted.
Because of this, there is also an element of grief and mourning that takes place but not the the usual way that we associate it. It's more about the loss of the people they COULD have been, the lives they COULD have lived and finding ways of accepting what is.
This book doesn't try to be a literary masterpiece or thought provoking. It doesn't try to move or compel you. It doesn't patronise or berate. It doesn't try to teach you or enlighten you. It doesn't try for your approval.
It doesn't try.
It just... is.
The fact that there wasn't one moment that I found boring and was always excited to pick it back up, is a testament to Amuah's literary skills and ability to really engage the reader. I felt like it was a letter addressed personally to me.
The fact that 'The Girls' was capitalised, didn't go unnoticed and thinking about my own 'The Girls' and the plethora of ways their friendship has literally saved my life, I understood the need for it.
The narrative is not easy so I still don't know how Amuah managed to make it so addictive while giving us SO MUCH to talk about and debate over. I definitely think it's one that you can't go into with blinkers on - you can't only meet Stella as far as you've met your own life experiences; you have to be willing to live them with her and the early narrative style definitely encourages this.
I can't believe this is a debut!!!
If you are looking for the ultimate sad girl book then look no further. This will break your heart into pieces and then offer the glue and sticky tape to attempt to start putting it back together again. Reading this was like being drowned and coming up for air all at once!
Hands down my favourite read of the year!
I cannot wait to see what Amuah does next!
August 1, 2022
I really enjoyed the characters as they grew from teenagers and finally began to mature. They were a little too immature for my liking as I do not remember being that immature at that age.
Stella is a child that lives in London.
I felt the age she was given could have easily reflected a 10 year old instead. It was difficult to get through because of this.
It was interesting to see though that she progressed into a young woman eventually though.
Stella is a child that lives in London.
I felt the age she was given could have easily reflected a 10 year old instead. It was difficult to get through because of this.
It was interesting to see though that she progressed into a young woman eventually though.
April 2, 2024
I rarely award 5 stars, but this debut novel deserves top marks! It kept me gripped until the last page, following the life of Stella, a Ghanaian girl whose childhood is marked by domestic violence, inflicted upon herself and her mother by her Dad. Despite this inauspicious start in life, Stella triumphs in her career. However, she remains haunted by the horrors of her childhood, and becomes obsessed by desperately looking for a second magpie ‘for joy’ whenever she sees a single bird. A promising relationship turns sour, as her boyfriend’s behaviour mimics that of her father. Friendship is her redemption, her solace and healing, leading her to begin to accept, and love, herself. I really enjoyed learning about her Ghanaian heritage and all the traditions around marriage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
One for Sorrow,Two For Joy follows the life of Stella,a girl of Ghanaian origin living in London with her parents and brother. It is told through Stella’s eyes and we see how she is treated by her father,how her mother works as a nurse in the NICU saving babies and how her brother is the one who is always doted upon by her father.
She tries to be an excellent student while making friends,discovering herself. She also develops a habit of touching wood or searching for magpies to make sense of the events of her life. Stella tries to forget her past and forgive her family but it’s so hard when any of her thoughts and issues aren’t addressed.
The family dynamics and the effects of domestic violence and inter generational trauma is described well in this book. This book handles very heavy and mature topics with ease and we find ourselves rooting for the main character from the beginning. I loved how friendship was portrayed in this book. This was a lovely story about friendship,resilience and mental health.
She tries to be an excellent student while making friends,discovering herself. She also develops a habit of touching wood or searching for magpies to make sense of the events of her life. Stella tries to forget her past and forgive her family but it’s so hard when any of her thoughts and issues aren’t addressed.
The family dynamics and the effects of domestic violence and inter generational trauma is described well in this book. This book handles very heavy and mature topics with ease and we find ourselves rooting for the main character from the beginning. I loved how friendship was portrayed in this book. This was a lovely story about friendship,resilience and mental health.
June 28, 2023
3.5 stars
June 28, 2022
Marie-Claire Amuah's debut novel, One for Sorrow, Two for Joy introduces us to Stella, a child of Ghanaian heritage who lives in London. The novel opens with Stella, still at school, looking towards her future. The language of this early section reflects the teenage mind extremely well - and as the years pass and Stella matures - so does Amuah's prose. Stella's father is violent, and the shadow of his intimidation casts a long shadow over the life of this young woman, who moves off to university, and into a profession in the law. This is a novel of incidents that make up the whole of a life - and your mileage with this novel will depend on how much you connect and empathise with Stella. That I read this in one sitting tells you how I felt. This is a heart-felt, funny and tender debut, and does mark Amuah out as a voice to watch.
August 2, 2023
I have this at 3.5 stars. The reading was somewhat tedious and dragging for me. I suspect the unusual writing of the author. Above all else, the plot and the characters were well developed.
February 4, 2024
Beautiful
The last few chapters shattered me. But I'm happy for Stella. Happy she had her friends. Grateful she got a happy ending.
The last few chapters shattered me. But I'm happy for Stella. Happy she had her friends. Grateful she got a happy ending.
June 24, 2025
A hauntingly beautiful portrayal of intergenerational trauma, childhood abuse and the insidious ripple effects.
‘It’s hard to plan your future when the ghosts of the past won’t leave you alone…’
‘It’s hard to plan your future when the ghosts of the past won’t leave you alone…’
August 20, 2022
One of the many reasons I read is to better understand the world but it's also to better understand myself. Other times it's to try and escape.
When you’re really lucky, a book will have you reaching back into your own memories, looking deeper into your relationship with yourself and trying to better understand the relationships you have with others. Sometimes a great book will bring about important conversations.
One for Sorrow, Two for Joy is all of these things.
‘It’s hard to plan your future when the ghosts of the past won't leave you alone…’
One For Sorrow, Two for Joy, by debut novelist Marie-Claire Amuah is the story of Stella, a Ghananian girl born and raised in South London. It is an evocative contemporary/literary fiction and coming-of-age tale, dealing with themes such as intergenerational trauma, mental health and the importance of friendship and belonging.
A raw, emotionally astute novel that pays homage to friendship, hope, courage and the resilience of the human spirit.
I was not ready for how bowled over I would be by this book. Reading it alongside a handful of great friends really added to my experience. We all fell in love with Stella, and we were genuinely rooting for her from beginning to end. I felt genuinely protective of her and emotionally invested. It was sometimes hard to believe that Stella was a fictional character and that is a true testament to Amuah's poignant writing.
I admired Amuah's brave creative choices in language and style, Stella’s voice evolves with her as she grows, and reflects her state of mind, I found the effect to be authentic and powerful.
Marie-Claire’s dexterous depictions of depression, anxiety and compulsive/ritualistic behaviours are beautifully balanced with doses of warmth, humour and hope. There is an honesty to her writing, which makes it both relatable and truly profound.
The story centres around such complex characters and relationships, I could talk about them all day. Amuah handles the nuances of familial tension with subtlety and flair. The compassion she writes with is evident, as she has the reader seeking to understand even the most deplorable characters.
Stella’s friendship group are clearly an essential part of her journey, ‘The Girls’ seemed to be the catalyst for her to begin building a relationship with herself and acknowledging that she is indeed worthy of love. A celebration of friendship and love.
'The Girls' are the mirrors she needed to see herself in.
A highly emotive and thought-provoking story. It is one of those rare, therapeutic reads an immersive story that will visit the memories of your and your parent's childhoods, reaching you on a deep and visceral level.
Throughout Stella’s journey, we are able to explore the effects of childhood trauma and the ways in which it manifests in adult lives. How our inner voice is constructed by our earliest relationships and how the relationship you have with yourself is the most important of all.
This book made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me love and root for the main character, but it ultimately made me root for myself. An absolute gem.
I will be recommending this book to everyone… however, fans of Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus and Carty-Williams’ Queenie should definitely look out for this one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
When you’re really lucky, a book will have you reaching back into your own memories, looking deeper into your relationship with yourself and trying to better understand the relationships you have with others. Sometimes a great book will bring about important conversations.
One for Sorrow, Two for Joy is all of these things.
‘It’s hard to plan your future when the ghosts of the past won't leave you alone…’
One For Sorrow, Two for Joy, by debut novelist Marie-Claire Amuah is the story of Stella, a Ghananian girl born and raised in South London. It is an evocative contemporary/literary fiction and coming-of-age tale, dealing with themes such as intergenerational trauma, mental health and the importance of friendship and belonging.
A raw, emotionally astute novel that pays homage to friendship, hope, courage and the resilience of the human spirit.
I was not ready for how bowled over I would be by this book. Reading it alongside a handful of great friends really added to my experience. We all fell in love with Stella, and we were genuinely rooting for her from beginning to end. I felt genuinely protective of her and emotionally invested. It was sometimes hard to believe that Stella was a fictional character and that is a true testament to Amuah's poignant writing.
I admired Amuah's brave creative choices in language and style, Stella’s voice evolves with her as she grows, and reflects her state of mind, I found the effect to be authentic and powerful.
Marie-Claire’s dexterous depictions of depression, anxiety and compulsive/ritualistic behaviours are beautifully balanced with doses of warmth, humour and hope. There is an honesty to her writing, which makes it both relatable and truly profound.
The story centres around such complex characters and relationships, I could talk about them all day. Amuah handles the nuances of familial tension with subtlety and flair. The compassion she writes with is evident, as she has the reader seeking to understand even the most deplorable characters.
Stella’s friendship group are clearly an essential part of her journey, ‘The Girls’ seemed to be the catalyst for her to begin building a relationship with herself and acknowledging that she is indeed worthy of love. A celebration of friendship and love.
'The Girls' are the mirrors she needed to see herself in.
A highly emotive and thought-provoking story. It is one of those rare, therapeutic reads an immersive story that will visit the memories of your and your parent's childhoods, reaching you on a deep and visceral level.
Throughout Stella’s journey, we are able to explore the effects of childhood trauma and the ways in which it manifests in adult lives. How our inner voice is constructed by our earliest relationships and how the relationship you have with yourself is the most important of all.
This book made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me love and root for the main character, but it ultimately made me root for myself. An absolute gem.
I will be recommending this book to everyone… however, fans of Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus and Carty-Williams’ Queenie should definitely look out for this one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
August 5, 2022
This is a coming of age story where the main character, Stella, has to come of age every year. This is a story of beautiful friendship and what connects and divides siblings and parents to their children. This is a story of trauma and how it can be passed from parent to child.
I'm not sure I've read many other books that capture what it is to grow up (in this case to the age of 31) quite so well. The book starts with Stella as a very young girl and the way she repeats things she's heard with little understanding of their meaning, and the associations she draws between things is spot on. Stella's teenage years are as painful and cringey as they should be and her early twenties perfectly independant and entirely uncertain. This story shows you can be clever and do well but still feel totally lost and like you're failing, siblings can be brought up together and have totally different childhoods, the phases of love and need and judgement and distance you can go through with your parents.
And then, what it means to be a loving parent in one situation, and extremely violent in another, how a child learns and inherits trauma that plays out years and years after it takes root. The muscle memory emotions can carry inside you.
No-one in this book is entirely perfect and no-one in this book is entirely evil. Because people aren't. Amuah has captured what it is to be human so, so well, even down to the brief moments we see the clients Stella represents as a barrister. And, regardless of her flaws and regardless of the situations we see her walk into as a naive young woman, I so rooted for Stella.
A breathlessly painted picture of life. I can't wait for her next book.
I'm not sure I've read many other books that capture what it is to grow up (in this case to the age of 31) quite so well. The book starts with Stella as a very young girl and the way she repeats things she's heard with little understanding of their meaning, and the associations she draws between things is spot on. Stella's teenage years are as painful and cringey as they should be and her early twenties perfectly independant and entirely uncertain. This story shows you can be clever and do well but still feel totally lost and like you're failing, siblings can be brought up together and have totally different childhoods, the phases of love and need and judgement and distance you can go through with your parents.
And then, what it means to be a loving parent in one situation, and extremely violent in another, how a child learns and inherits trauma that plays out years and years after it takes root. The muscle memory emotions can carry inside you.
No-one in this book is entirely perfect and no-one in this book is entirely evil. Because people aren't. Amuah has captured what it is to be human so, so well, even down to the brief moments we see the clients Stella represents as a barrister. And, regardless of her flaws and regardless of the situations we see her walk into as a naive young woman, I so rooted for Stella.
A breathlessly painted picture of life. I can't wait for her next book.
June 10, 2025
As a barrister who shares a name with the main character, I have never felt so seen. It makes complete sense that the author is a barrister.
This is a beautiful story of trauma, domestic abuse, friendship, family, love, self-discovery, and navigating the world as a Black-British (African) woman.
The writing style allows the reader to feel Stella’s anxiety: it is incessant, constant thoughts and worries. A flow of consciousness. I found this to be an effective writing tool, which helped me to connect with Stella on a deeper level. I not only understood her, I became her, and saw the world through her eyes.
I found it refreshing to see a book address the double standard in many cultures in respect of sons and daughters - different rules for both.
I love Stella’s friendship with The Girls, it reminds me of my own friends/sisters. It was raw, safe, and healing.
I don’t have the words to describe how much the ending healed me - between the therapy and the raw conversations. I needed this story.
This is a beautiful story of trauma, domestic abuse, friendship, family, love, self-discovery, and navigating the world as a Black-British (African) woman.
The writing style allows the reader to feel Stella’s anxiety: it is incessant, constant thoughts and worries. A flow of consciousness. I found this to be an effective writing tool, which helped me to connect with Stella on a deeper level. I not only understood her, I became her, and saw the world through her eyes.
I found it refreshing to see a book address the double standard in many cultures in respect of sons and daughters - different rules for both.
I love Stella’s friendship with The Girls, it reminds me of my own friends/sisters. It was raw, safe, and healing.
I don’t have the words to describe how much the ending healed me - between the therapy and the raw conversations. I needed this story.
October 2, 2023
3.5 I really enjoyed this once I got used to the unusual writing style. There was real empathy and emotional depth in showing Stella's experiences through childhood traumas and their effects in adulthood
November 26, 2023
Felt raw and real, flow jumps about a bit need to concentrate so keep following. Might benefit from a trigger warning on the back cover as lots of issues addressed. Brave to address them.
December 7, 2023
This story continues to echo in my mind - a really beautiful meditation on growing up and trauma, which whilst it had some narrative imperfections really packed a punch.
February 4, 2024
One for Sorrow, Two for Joy by Marie-Claire Amuah isn't for the faint of heart. It delves deep into the darkness of family violence, self-hatred, and the gravitational pull of destructive relationships. Stella, our protagonist, navigates these harsh realities with vulnerability and rawness, making for a challenging yet undeniably impactful read.
Be prepared to feel the weight of Stella's burdens—the scars of abuse, the constant battle with self-doubt, and the cycle of unhealthy attachments. You might be frustrated, urging her to break free, but Amuah's skilful prose keeps you tethered and invested in Stella's journey.
However, "One for Sorrow, Two for Joy" isn't solely a portrait of despair. A sliver of hope cuts through the darkness, not in magical magpies, but in the quiet strength Stella discovers within herself. The book culminates with a crucial step towards healing: Stella finally seeks professional help to understand and address her self-harming behaviours.
While the journey is arduous, the ending offers a potential path forward for Stella and anyone who resonates with her struggles. It's a reminder that even in the darkest depths, the glimmer of hope can light the way towards healing and self-discovery.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Be prepared to feel the weight of Stella's burdens—the scars of abuse, the constant battle with self-doubt, and the cycle of unhealthy attachments. You might be frustrated, urging her to break free, but Amuah's skilful prose keeps you tethered and invested in Stella's journey.
However, "One for Sorrow, Two for Joy" isn't solely a portrait of despair. A sliver of hope cuts through the darkness, not in magical magpies, but in the quiet strength Stella discovers within herself. The book culminates with a crucial step towards healing: Stella finally seeks professional help to understand and address her self-harming behaviours.
While the journey is arduous, the ending offers a potential path forward for Stella and anyone who resonates with her struggles. It's a reminder that even in the darkest depths, the glimmer of hope can light the way towards healing and self-discovery.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
August 24, 2025
The characters and story developed really well and I was engaged and very emotional at various points throughout but the book dragged for me a little and I struggled with the numerous sections written in short sentences which worked perfectly when Stella was a young girl but felt immature and tedious later in the book.
Really this would be a 3.5 for me!
Really this would be a 3.5 for me!
September 9, 2023
Powerful read
August 1, 2025
I don’t know if I’m working out that audio books aren’t necessarily for me at the moment or whether it was just the book? I found it quite list like throughout and as it was read aloud I think this may have been enhanced and it seemed that most sentences were simple. Plus I found that when I missed some parts whilst listening I didn’t feel the need to re-listen/rewind. However parts of the story were interesting/engaging and the author addresses/talks about such important issues including DV, neurodiversity and medical needs including Addisons.
August 7, 2022
What an incredible book! I am in awe that is a debut novel! Amuah is one to watch out for! The way she explores loss, grief and trauma in this book is absolutely amazing!
I will come back with a full review but this is definitely a 5 star read for me!
I will come back with a full review but this is definitely a 5 star read for me!
October 31, 2022
DNF at 57% read. I just kept thinking about what books are next on my list, so decided after a while that since this book wasn’t grabbing me, I might as well move on.
December 31, 2022
I tried but ended up DNF'ing at about 45%. The fact I was reading and thinking about all the other books on my TBR meant It was time for me to let it go.
The voice of the character and writing style gave me YA novel feels. I probably would have really enjoyed this book when I was a teenager, but as an adult, it was written from a young perspective for too long.
🅿🆁🅾🆂: I loved the fact it was set in south london, brixton specifically. I found it interesting that it examined the way childhood trauma can affect you as you get older, how you interact with others, the choices you make, and the relationships you get into
🅲🅾🅽🆂: The pace was too slow for me. Although I did enjoy the way the main characters voice was written, in that it allows you to build a connection with her, it felt like I was reading a teenagers diary from day to day with no real story arch.
The voice of the character and writing style gave me YA novel feels. I probably would have really enjoyed this book when I was a teenager, but as an adult, it was written from a young perspective for too long.
🅿🆁🅾🆂: I loved the fact it was set in south london, brixton specifically. I found it interesting that it examined the way childhood trauma can affect you as you get older, how you interact with others, the choices you make, and the relationships you get into
🅲🅾🅽🆂: The pace was too slow for me. Although I did enjoy the way the main characters voice was written, in that it allows you to build a connection with her, it felt like I was reading a teenagers diary from day to day with no real story arch.
November 25, 2023
The impact of childhood trauma carrying over into adult life is compellingly told in this novel of a young English woman of Ghanaian parents. The reader first encounters a young Stella as she navigates childhood with a violent father and a mother she loves deeply but who lets Stella down in many ways as she herself struggles with Stella's father. As an adult Stella to all appearances is an extremely successful adult with deep female friendships and a thriving career as a barrister. But Amuah clearly shows how traumatic experiences follow us everywhere with sometimes devastating results. The themes are resonant in this novel and Stella is an engaging character especially as a child. But the writing style is a little offbeat which made it hard for me to read. Still I'd recommend it highly as it superbly shows the importance of friends and therapy.
July 12, 2024
I've just finished listening to this in audiobook format which I really enjoyed. The London accent gives authenticity to the narration and I really enjoyed the Ghanian accent when impersonating the main character's family.
This is an interesting read which I think is suitable for most readers. There isn't a big plot twist or anything like that, but I think the ending would give hope to anyone with childhood trauma.
Overall, a good read. I've given it a 3 because I don't think it was mind blowing but for a first novel it is very good. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This is an interesting read which I think is suitable for most readers. There isn't a big plot twist or anything like that, but I think the ending would give hope to anyone with childhood trauma.
Overall, a good read. I've given it a 3 because I don't think it was mind blowing but for a first novel it is very good. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
February 4, 2024
Great for a debut novel especially! I really empathised with Stella - it was tragic reading about her father being violent from when she was very little. It also stuck with me how she struggled to form relationships and dated Christian who also ended up being abusive. It was sad seeing how the trauma impacted her as an adult and how she ended up having a breakdown, despite being successful in her career.
My main criticism of this book was that it felt quite long and I lost interest in a few of the slower sections.
My main criticism of this book was that it felt quite long and I lost interest in a few of the slower sections.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2022
I loved the beginning of this book. Told in the voice of the narrator as a child it was strong, compelling and well written. Then things changed. As an adult, the narration broke down and when the narrator has a breakdown it becomes hard to understand as her internal thoughts are all over the place. It was brought together at the end especially as she enters therapy. It felt very autobiographical.
December 18, 2022
3.5. This was an unexpected and good audio book. Started slow, and a bit basic (I thought it may be a YA novel ) at the start but it improved and I thought the main character, and narrator, a complex and engaging one; a very believable and a compassionate telling. Excellent fictional story about trauma and mental ill health in a migrant family. Well articulated inner life. Yes, and I found myself looking for 2 magpies when I saw one
January 13, 2023
Story of relationship, love and how it shapes us adults. It also has snippets of how these adults are when they are older. Story of sacrifice, pain and culturally differences and people's ignorance towards different heritage.
Great read
Great read
January 27, 2023
Great writing at the different ages. I listened on audio and as such the end came upon me by surprise. I needed a bit more. I'm still not sure how autobiographical this was but quite the life story. Sad and challenging with some wins
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