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Night Dancer
Mma has just buried her mother, and now she is alone.
She has been left everything.
But she's also inherited her mother's bad name.
A bold, brash woman, the only thing her mother refused to discuss was her past. Why did she flee her family and bring her daughter to a new town when she was a baby? What was she escaping from?
Abandoned now, Mma has no knowledge of her father or her family - but she is desperate to find out.
Night Dancer is a powerful and moving novel about the relationship between mothers and daughters, about the bonds of family, about knowing when to fulfil your duty, and when you must be brave enough not to. Presenting a vista of Nigeria over the past half-century, it is a vibrant and heartfelt exploration of one woman's search for belonging.
She has been left everything.
But she's also inherited her mother's bad name.
A bold, brash woman, the only thing her mother refused to discuss was her past. Why did she flee her family and bring her daughter to a new town when she was a baby? What was she escaping from?
Abandoned now, Mma has no knowledge of her father or her family - but she is desperate to find out.
Night Dancer is a powerful and moving novel about the relationship between mothers and daughters, about the bonds of family, about knowing when to fulfil your duty, and when you must be brave enough not to. Presenting a vista of Nigeria over the past half-century, it is a vibrant and heartfelt exploration of one woman's search for belonging.
263 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
11 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
About the author
Chika Unigwe
35 books250 followersChika Unigwe was born in Enugu, Nigeria, and now lives in Turnhout, Belgium, with her husband and four children. She writes in English and Dutch.
In April 2014 she was selected for the Hay Festival's Africa39 list of 39 Sub-Saharan African writers aged under 40 with potential and talent to define future trends in African literature.
.
Unigwe holds a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an MA from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. She also holds a PhD from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, having completed a thesis entitled "In the shadow of Ala. Igbo women writing as an act of righting" in 2004.
Chika Unigwe is een dichter en schrijfster, geboren in Nigeria en wonende in België (zij beschrijft zichzelf als "Afro Belgische"). Ze schrijft in het Nederlands en in het Engels. Ze is doctor in de literatuurwetenschap aan de Universiteit Leiden (Nederland).
In April 2014 she was selected for the Hay Festival's Africa39 list of 39 Sub-Saharan African writers aged under 40 with potential and talent to define future trends in African literature.
.
Unigwe holds a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an MA from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. She also holds a PhD from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, having completed a thesis entitled "In the shadow of Ala. Igbo women writing as an act of righting" in 2004.
Chika Unigwe is een dichter en schrijfster, geboren in Nigeria en wonende in België (zij beschrijft zichzelf als "Afro Belgische"). Ze schrijft in het Nederlands en in het Engels. Ze is doctor in de literatuurwetenschap aan de Universiteit Leiden (Nederland).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 12, 2019
4.5 stars
Loved this book! Started off a bit slow and I was about to give up but decided to keep on reading. Boy was I glad I did.
Totally enjoyed the narrative of family mistakes, family being torn about by them and restoration of faith in family.
Mma is reading her mother’s memoir after her death and discovers a father she never knew, his other life and the reason her parents split.
She eventually finds that her hatred for her mother is completely misguided and begins to heal after.
Well told, engaging from a quarter way in and completely worth my 2 days staying up late to read!
I recommend
Loved this book! Started off a bit slow and I was about to give up but decided to keep on reading. Boy was I glad I did.
Totally enjoyed the narrative of family mistakes, family being torn about by them and restoration of faith in family.
Mma is reading her mother’s memoir after her death and discovers a father she never knew, his other life and the reason her parents split.
She eventually finds that her hatred for her mother is completely misguided and begins to heal after.
Well told, engaging from a quarter way in and completely worth my 2 days staying up late to read!
I recommend
September 18, 2012
"A lovely feminist novel coming out of Nigeria,Night Dancer is a complex novel about the relationships between mother and daughter, tradition and modernity, and conformity and non conformity."
read more at: http://likeiamfeasting.blogspot.co.uk...
read more at: http://likeiamfeasting.blogspot.co.uk...
September 29, 2016
Night Dancer has rather an impressive scope, spanning fifty years of Nigerian history. The novel opens in Enugu in 2001 and follows a young woman named Mma. Unigwe’s prose makes her situation apparent from the outset. Her parents separated when she was just a baby and, despite the presence of serious boyfriend Obi, she is left quite alone after her mother Ezi’s untimely death.
Mma is resentful of her mother and the upbringing she has had. A fractured relationship between mother and daughter has existed since she was a child, and the disparities between the characters is one of the pivotal overriding themes in the novel.
Following her death, Mma uncovers a collection of Ezi’s memoirs which her mother had urged her to read on several occasions. She was reluctant to do so, as “she was afraid that the letters might reveal something that would call into question all her righteous indignation at the dead woman”. The truths which Unigwe weaves through her narrative often have a moving quality about them. By transcribing some of the memoirs in the narrative, a multi-layered story is created. The use of two differing perspectives and the second section of the novel which takes place during the late 1960s, works well, making the story stronger both in terms of its characters and its telling.
Stylistically, Unigwe’s prose is powerful. Cultural presence is strong throughout, and the Nigerian landscape becomes almost a character in itself. Words in Igbo, the national language of Nigeria, have been used, reinforcing the social importance of the world in which Mma lives. Even in the twenty-first century, the disparities between males and females are made apparent: “We women are little people” and “men will sleep with anything”. With her inclusion of the unrest which spans Nigerian history, Unigwe ensures that her novel is also historically grounded.
Night Dancer is essentially a novel of self-discovery; of evaluating and embracing life, and learning to understand those around you. The story is well executed, but the only qualm is that Mma is not always a likeable character. Despite reading Ezi’s memoirs, she is dismissive of her mother. Traces of selfishness and self-pity continually resonate from her and seem intrinsic with her character. In some ways she is complex, but conflicting traits in her personality do not make her realistic enough. Although the reader sympathises with her plight, her lack of empathy – even of humanity, at times – is hard to believe.
Mma is resentful of her mother and the upbringing she has had. A fractured relationship between mother and daughter has existed since she was a child, and the disparities between the characters is one of the pivotal overriding themes in the novel.
Following her death, Mma uncovers a collection of Ezi’s memoirs which her mother had urged her to read on several occasions. She was reluctant to do so, as “she was afraid that the letters might reveal something that would call into question all her righteous indignation at the dead woman”. The truths which Unigwe weaves through her narrative often have a moving quality about them. By transcribing some of the memoirs in the narrative, a multi-layered story is created. The use of two differing perspectives and the second section of the novel which takes place during the late 1960s, works well, making the story stronger both in terms of its characters and its telling.
Stylistically, Unigwe’s prose is powerful. Cultural presence is strong throughout, and the Nigerian landscape becomes almost a character in itself. Words in Igbo, the national language of Nigeria, have been used, reinforcing the social importance of the world in which Mma lives. Even in the twenty-first century, the disparities between males and females are made apparent: “We women are little people” and “men will sleep with anything”. With her inclusion of the unrest which spans Nigerian history, Unigwe ensures that her novel is also historically grounded.
Night Dancer is essentially a novel of self-discovery; of evaluating and embracing life, and learning to understand those around you. The story is well executed, but the only qualm is that Mma is not always a likeable character. Despite reading Ezi’s memoirs, she is dismissive of her mother. Traces of selfishness and self-pity continually resonate from her and seem intrinsic with her character. In some ways she is complex, but conflicting traits in her personality do not make her realistic enough. Although the reader sympathises with her plight, her lack of empathy – even of humanity, at times – is hard to believe.
February 17, 2018
A book in three parts revolving around a young woman Mma. In the first part her mother worked as a prostitute but also as a smart property investor. Mma and her mother have a their tempestuous relationship. After her mother dies, Mma reads her mothers memoir and finds out who her father was. The second part covers Mma life with Mike and the arrival of Rapu a new young maid. The third part has Mma making contact with Mike and his now wife Rapu.
The writer uses different approaches to tell the story in each part. Her themes were interesting covering contemporary life in Nigeria where religious tensions continue, the power of the man in a relationship, the poor treatment of an unmarried mother and the new world were women able to make their own decisions.
The writer uses different approaches to tell the story in each part. Her themes were interesting covering contemporary life in Nigeria where religious tensions continue, the power of the man in a relationship, the poor treatment of an unmarried mother and the new world were women able to make their own decisions.
March 19, 2019
This is another of those books I randomly plucked off my library shelf.
There was something about the book that drew me to it. And soon, I could see that this happened for a reason. There have been times in my life when I've found books to read that I needed to read at that point in my life. This is remarkably the same.
Young Mma has recently lost her mother with whom she shared a difficult relationship. Mma finds it hard to grieve for her mum, who she perceived as a headstrong, capricious woman, selfish at best and heartless at worst.
It is only later in the book that we watch as Mma discovers the truth about her mum - how strong she was and how brave. How difficult it must've been to remain true to herself as a woman in a small city in Nigeria in the 1980s, with not much education, without a husband's protection and with a baby girl to raise.
Ezi is indeed a remarkable woman and reminds me a lot of my own mother.
There are other important characters in this story but the why of it is not as important as the how of it all.
In the end, Mma realises that to be true to oneself is more important than running after a perfect happy ending. Well, I guess she realises that that is exactly what constitutes a perfect happy ending.
And this, I know is a lesson that the library gods wanted me to learn in the moment that they induced me to pick this book randomly off the shelf!
There was something about the book that drew me to it. And soon, I could see that this happened for a reason. There have been times in my life when I've found books to read that I needed to read at that point in my life. This is remarkably the same.
Young Mma has recently lost her mother with whom she shared a difficult relationship. Mma finds it hard to grieve for her mum, who she perceived as a headstrong, capricious woman, selfish at best and heartless at worst.
It is only later in the book that we watch as Mma discovers the truth about her mum - how strong she was and how brave. How difficult it must've been to remain true to herself as a woman in a small city in Nigeria in the 1980s, with not much education, without a husband's protection and with a baby girl to raise.
Ezi is indeed a remarkable woman and reminds me a lot of my own mother.
There are other important characters in this story but the why of it is not as important as the how of it all.
In the end, Mma realises that to be true to oneself is more important than running after a perfect happy ending. Well, I guess she realises that that is exactly what constitutes a perfect happy ending.
And this, I know is a lesson that the library gods wanted me to learn in the moment that they induced me to pick this book randomly off the shelf!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2019
Night dancer is a story in three parts which primarily revolve around three women (Ezi, Mma and Rapu).
~A story of self-discovery.
I rolled my eyes at the start of this book, due to the patriarchy story of which I've heard in those days, and the struggle at the start.
Along the line I was really laughing my ass out.
Though the starting was slow that I actually didn't felt the need of continuing the book but curiosity kept me going and I was like, you gotta finish this.
The book, at some pages into it was so realistic (The way parents especially from the igbo culture would give replies, handle situations and issue).
Ezi repetition of words at first got me thinking if she was a anyway a *stamara*
I thought about those who might not really really enjoy the read due to the igbo words, though I wished it was properly written.
Mma reminds me of my childhood days, primary and even secondary school. those days I had lots of biscuits and sweets with friends but now, we don't keep in touch.
I saw how the so called marriage was important to these women, how the women also supported patriarchy by themselves.
I saw full IGNORANCE among some characters and mostly the Lokpanta people.
Also I didn't quite agree with (let's forget even if it's a novel), like when the priest was giving a story that I couldn't relate to (the Christmas and the woman not able to fetch water relating both to Christmas) 🤷🏾.
I also quote his words "We need to try to please others before trying to please ourselves".
This advice of him was so not comfortable to me, like that can't be the recipe for joy to me (NEVER).
I rolled and my eyes and hissed most times 😁😁 seriously.
📖
I thought about Ezi decision, if I were to be the one in such situation, what would I have done? Stay OR leave.
RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
~A story of self-discovery.
I rolled my eyes at the start of this book, due to the patriarchy story of which I've heard in those days, and the struggle at the start.
Along the line I was really laughing my ass out.
Though the starting was slow that I actually didn't felt the need of continuing the book but curiosity kept me going and I was like, you gotta finish this.
The book, at some pages into it was so realistic (The way parents especially from the igbo culture would give replies, handle situations and issue).
Ezi repetition of words at first got me thinking if she was a anyway a *stamara*
I thought about those who might not really really enjoy the read due to the igbo words, though I wished it was properly written.
Mma reminds me of my childhood days, primary and even secondary school. those days I had lots of biscuits and sweets with friends but now, we don't keep in touch.
I saw how the so called marriage was important to these women, how the women also supported patriarchy by themselves.
I saw full IGNORANCE among some characters and mostly the Lokpanta people.
Also I didn't quite agree with (let's forget even if it's a novel), like when the priest was giving a story that I couldn't relate to (the Christmas and the woman not able to fetch water relating both to Christmas) 🤷🏾.
I also quote his words "We need to try to please others before trying to please ourselves".
This advice of him was so not comfortable to me, like that can't be the recipe for joy to me (NEVER).
I rolled and my eyes and hissed most times 😁😁 seriously.
📖
I thought about Ezi decision, if I were to be the one in such situation, what would I have done? Stay OR leave.
RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
November 9, 2019
3.5 stars. I struggled with this book at the beginning. Once i was 50% in, it became soo good.
June 10, 2015
But sometimes, it is not the thing that we fear most that crushes us but that which we have forgotten to fear.”
April 16, 2018
Night Dancer is the story of 3 women – Ezi, Mma and Rapu – whose lives are inextricably intertwined, told in 3 parts. We first meet Mma who has just buried her mother Ezi, and is struggling with her lack of emotion towards her mother’s demise. As much as she wants to, Mma feels nothing. If anything, she is relived that her mother is dead and she can now chart her own path without her mother’s nasty reputation casting a shadow over her. Through conversations with Madam Gold, Ezi’s best friend, and the memoirs her mother left her, Mma discovers aspects of her mother’s life that were unknown to her. She also finds out about her extended family and her biological father, Mike.
The 2nd part of the book introduces us to Rapu and tells the story of how she found her way into Ezi and Mike’s lives and the events that transpired resulting in her upstaging Ezi and becoming the Mistress of the house.
Years later, Ezi is dead and Mma sets out to find and reconnect with her extended family and her father, all whom have been kept away from her by her ‘scandalous and selfish’ mother. Suffice it to say, Mma is very angry. In the 3rd and last part of the book, Mma meets her family - extended and her father’s other family with Rapu – and through interactions and her finding answers to some of the questions she sought, Mma develops a deeper appreciation for her mother and the choices she had to make for both of them.
I loved the book in as far as it reveals how patriarchal our African societies are and gives us a glimpse, through the eyes of Ezi, of what happens to women to attempt to go against this set order. The story is quite captivating. There was however no real depth to the characters and it was difficult to connect with any of them. I would have loved if the author had opened up the characters in this book more.
The title is also very misleading. That, or I was just not able to make the connection between the title and any of the characters or the plot of the story. The story alludes to Ezi being a prostitute but this is not expressly stated making it difficult to draw the conclusion. Who was the night dancer??
I loved Chika’s other book, On Black Sister’s Street, and whilst I did not fall in love with one, I enjoyed it just as well. 3/5 Stars
The 2nd part of the book introduces us to Rapu and tells the story of how she found her way into Ezi and Mike’s lives and the events that transpired resulting in her upstaging Ezi and becoming the Mistress of the house.
Years later, Ezi is dead and Mma sets out to find and reconnect with her extended family and her father, all whom have been kept away from her by her ‘scandalous and selfish’ mother. Suffice it to say, Mma is very angry. In the 3rd and last part of the book, Mma meets her family - extended and her father’s other family with Rapu – and through interactions and her finding answers to some of the questions she sought, Mma develops a deeper appreciation for her mother and the choices she had to make for both of them.
I loved the book in as far as it reveals how patriarchal our African societies are and gives us a glimpse, through the eyes of Ezi, of what happens to women to attempt to go against this set order. The story is quite captivating. There was however no real depth to the characters and it was difficult to connect with any of them. I would have loved if the author had opened up the characters in this book more.
The title is also very misleading. That, or I was just not able to make the connection between the title and any of the characters or the plot of the story. The story alludes to Ezi being a prostitute but this is not expressly stated making it difficult to draw the conclusion. Who was the night dancer??
I loved Chika’s other book, On Black Sister’s Street, and whilst I did not fall in love with one, I enjoyed it just as well. 3/5 Stars
May 12, 2020
Wow- read it in a day! I found it engaging- I like the style of writing by the author- and have read her other book which i also recommend (On Black Sister's Street). I kinda like the end- where it seems/feels kind of unfinished- lets your own mind roam on the characters to think about what may happen next- leaves room for the imagination. I liked the traditional aspects of this- as well as the dating of it being fairly recent- in showing that these traditions (Igbo) still exist in the family setting- as well as the 'plight' of womanhood in the African family- the irony of the main character's thought that 'she will get a good job because she has a degree'- only for her to have to resort to prostitution- one of the world's oldest professions that you don't need a degree for! Great offering from the Motherland of African Authors- am looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2020
Night Dancer by Chika Unigwe was a spirited story, and the cultural backdrop had my heart racing.
The novel was conclusively about forgiveness. For years Mma had so much hatred in her heart she was incapable of seeing the adversities and hurt that her mother endured securing a future for her and Mma. She blamed her mother, Ezi, as her grandparents, and the villagers did, when she elected to stand up for her convictions.
Mma was told by her mother's close friend that she would have to make amends with her father before she could move on with her life. In the end, she followed in her mother's footsteps. She gave the man she loved an ultimatum; he either accepts her past or she would move on without him.
There were numerous strong-willed women in this novel even if they were unjust at times, which is the reason I love this book and would highly recommend reading it.
The novel was conclusively about forgiveness. For years Mma had so much hatred in her heart she was incapable of seeing the adversities and hurt that her mother endured securing a future for her and Mma. She blamed her mother, Ezi, as her grandparents, and the villagers did, when she elected to stand up for her convictions.
Mma was told by her mother's close friend that she would have to make amends with her father before she could move on with her life. In the end, she followed in her mother's footsteps. She gave the man she loved an ultimatum; he either accepts her past or she would move on without him.
There were numerous strong-willed women in this novel even if they were unjust at times, which is the reason I love this book and would highly recommend reading it.
March 27, 2021
Excellent excellent excellent!
Gosh! Who can hold a grudge like Mma?!
Her dislike for her mother was so strong and well put down by Unigwe, I found myself screaming calm down! at the book.
There is so much to say about the book, the characters, the situation, the culture. Analysis so many discussions!
The characters are so well developed! and are true to their beliefs and ideologies in an honest way, like real people. They contradict themselves, and the toxic family relations, of giving and withholding love; a lot can truly be discussed from this book.
This was a very interesting story. I do wish that the ending was more settled, I just wasn't quite satisfied with all the excitement when I got to the end of the book.
Gosh! Who can hold a grudge like Mma?!
Her dislike for her mother was so strong and well put down by Unigwe, I found myself screaming calm down! at the book.
There is so much to say about the book, the characters, the situation, the culture. Analysis so many discussions!
The characters are so well developed! and are true to their beliefs and ideologies in an honest way, like real people. They contradict themselves, and the toxic family relations, of giving and withholding love; a lot can truly be discussed from this book.
This was a very interesting story. I do wish that the ending was more settled, I just wasn't quite satisfied with all the excitement when I got to the end of the book.
July 30, 2019
Night Dancer is a slow burner, divided into three parts focused on three women; Ezi, Rapu and Nma. The story is narrated in the third person which works as you can get into the heads of the characters. This third person narration is especially useful for understanding why Mike acted the way he did. Chika uses descriptive narration and flashbacks while challenging the rationale of both modern and traditional opinions. Read our full review http://literaryeverything.com/2019/07...
December 29, 2017
Patriachy in Africa at its fullest. It changes not, no matter the country. This could very well be a story set in East Africa or Central Africa for that matter. Very interesting - the different angles brought out and the shape life takes on vide the lens of child vs childlessness, husband vs husbandlessness and father vs fatherlessness... And who pray tell was the night dancer? Ezi? Rapu? Mma?
August 26, 2019
'Night Dancer' is a masterful page-turner that left me dwelling on the essence of human nature, the fickleness of love, and the trials of womanhood. Above all, this book served as an anthology of life lessons, a critique of traditionalism in Nigeria, and an example of feminism and independence in a country that is guided (albeit blindly) by the patriarchy. Unigwe writes with a delightful tenderness and craft that only a seasoned writer possesses. I was left breathless in particular by the last chapter of this book. Each word spat at me with a revelation that was both painful and shocking to bear.
January 3, 2020
Oh the pain of childhood trauma inflicted by a parent who had the best intentions for their child, carried out in the best way they knew how. And oh the joy of forgiveness and understanding from walking a minute in the shoes of the parent long after she's gone. Captivating story with a page-turning plot. Loved it
November 26, 2020
After reading On Black Sister's Street and Better Late Than Never, I had very high expectations for this book.
Sadly, it doesn't pick up until Rapu's part. I wish I could have had a little more character development when it comes to E. She sounded much bigger than life yet we had to only learn about her as a character in other people's stories where she was just a subplot.
All in all 2.5 stars.
Sadly, it doesn't pick up until Rapu's part. I wish I could have had a little more character development when it comes to E. She sounded much bigger than life yet we had to only learn about her as a character in other people's stories where she was just a subplot.
All in all 2.5 stars.
December 29, 2019
Loved it. It grows on you. Starts a bit slow then you don't want to put it down...
August 14, 2025
This book does a good job by explaining why a single story can be dangerous sometimes.
November 26, 2025
Emotional page - turner. Was looking forward every day to the evening to read more pages to see how the main character was doing , what she would answer , where she would go … !
December 31, 2023
Chika Unigwe never misses!
You know that saying of understanding your mother better when one is an adult? No truer words have ever been uttered. Everyone, read this book. Thank you.
You know that saying of understanding your mother better when one is an adult? No truer words have ever been uttered. Everyone, read this book. Thank you.
January 21, 2015
A Review of Chika Unigwe’s Night Dancer
Chika Unigwe divides the novel into three parts as she explores the lives of Ezi, Mike, Rapu and Mma, especially. She uses the narrative cum epistolary technique, flashback, stream-of-consciousness and the Omniscient point of view to challenge us to the conundrum of modernism and traditionalism in a culturally rich African society.
The first section set in Enugu is what I designate the modernist section with Mma’s realisation Of Ezi’s actions towards the end of this section as ‘It was her way of challenging tradition’ pg 109. Ezi is Mma’s mother. She is not present in person but she is only presented through the reminiscence and stream of consciousness of Mma and Madam Gold. Ezi left her husband, Mike, because of his betrayal and raised Mma alone in her world, as a single mother. Mma detests not knowing her father and still hates her mother in death. She later discovers a lot through her memoirs or letters. Unigwe uses the epistolary techniques to reveal Mma’s meeting with Mike and their love life. The stream of consciousness of Mma also reveals the personality of Ezi as an independent person. She never reveals anything about Mma’s father and her grandparents to Mma until she dies. She does not care about the malign of the tradition of a single mother. She rises up to the task of raising her daughter, though with her flirtations too. Mma later pursues her dream to know her family through the help of Madam Gold. This voyage exposes us to the puzzle of modernism and traditionalism that a man may find it difficult to solve.
The second part which the author titles Lokpanta is what I call modernism versus traditionalism. The narrator goes to the past to reveal the prophecy of the priestess immediately after Rapu’s birth. Rapu’s relocation to Kaduna to stay with Ezi and Mike, the various lapses brought out by the stream of consciousness of Rapu, Ezi’s modernist act as portrayed from the perspective of Rapu, the pregnancy of Ezi and the eventual ‘betrayal’ of Mike sleeping with Rapu all point to the struggle between modernism and traditionalism. Ezi gets pregnant first and discovers Rapu’s pregnancy. Ezi sends her away only for Rapu to appear with her baby and ‘her mother-in-law’. Ezi could not withstand the contact and she moves on to Enugu raising her daughter alone. Modernism leaves traditionalism to cope as mike becomes as an in-between element. Mma comes back to discover this contact.
The third part, Unigwe titles it Kaduna. This phase reveals the outcome of modernism, Mma, seekinig her roots. She meets her father, her stepmother and her siblings. The wish of Mma to redeem everything is keen but the tension of the rivalry is still there in the traditionalism, Rapu. Mike therefore explains
‘...I loved her(Ezi). I loved her so much. She begged me
to send Rapu away. But it was impossible. I had married
her by then. She wanted her daughter to have a father. I
begged her too. I wanted to be a father to my son. Either I
kept the two of you, or I kept my son. What sort of
a choice was that?’
Mma, the product of modernism, concludes that she will repay the sacrifices of her mother, Ezi.
In all, Unigwe posits a question through Mike’s question above-‘What sort of a choice was that?’. That is the conundrum of modernism and traditionalism. Chika Unigwe understands the conundrum of modernism and traditionalism in contemporary African societies. She uses all the weapons at her disposal to portray the conundrum of these two factors especially in an institution well revered in the African society, the marriage institution.
Seun Adeleke.
Chika Unigwe divides the novel into three parts as she explores the lives of Ezi, Mike, Rapu and Mma, especially. She uses the narrative cum epistolary technique, flashback, stream-of-consciousness and the Omniscient point of view to challenge us to the conundrum of modernism and traditionalism in a culturally rich African society.
The first section set in Enugu is what I designate the modernist section with Mma’s realisation Of Ezi’s actions towards the end of this section as ‘It was her way of challenging tradition’ pg 109. Ezi is Mma’s mother. She is not present in person but she is only presented through the reminiscence and stream of consciousness of Mma and Madam Gold. Ezi left her husband, Mike, because of his betrayal and raised Mma alone in her world, as a single mother. Mma detests not knowing her father and still hates her mother in death. She later discovers a lot through her memoirs or letters. Unigwe uses the epistolary techniques to reveal Mma’s meeting with Mike and their love life. The stream of consciousness of Mma also reveals the personality of Ezi as an independent person. She never reveals anything about Mma’s father and her grandparents to Mma until she dies. She does not care about the malign of the tradition of a single mother. She rises up to the task of raising her daughter, though with her flirtations too. Mma later pursues her dream to know her family through the help of Madam Gold. This voyage exposes us to the puzzle of modernism and traditionalism that a man may find it difficult to solve.
The second part which the author titles Lokpanta is what I call modernism versus traditionalism. The narrator goes to the past to reveal the prophecy of the priestess immediately after Rapu’s birth. Rapu’s relocation to Kaduna to stay with Ezi and Mike, the various lapses brought out by the stream of consciousness of Rapu, Ezi’s modernist act as portrayed from the perspective of Rapu, the pregnancy of Ezi and the eventual ‘betrayal’ of Mike sleeping with Rapu all point to the struggle between modernism and traditionalism. Ezi gets pregnant first and discovers Rapu’s pregnancy. Ezi sends her away only for Rapu to appear with her baby and ‘her mother-in-law’. Ezi could not withstand the contact and she moves on to Enugu raising her daughter alone. Modernism leaves traditionalism to cope as mike becomes as an in-between element. Mma comes back to discover this contact.
The third part, Unigwe titles it Kaduna. This phase reveals the outcome of modernism, Mma, seekinig her roots. She meets her father, her stepmother and her siblings. The wish of Mma to redeem everything is keen but the tension of the rivalry is still there in the traditionalism, Rapu. Mike therefore explains
‘...I loved her(Ezi). I loved her so much. She begged me
to send Rapu away. But it was impossible. I had married
her by then. She wanted her daughter to have a father. I
begged her too. I wanted to be a father to my son. Either I
kept the two of you, or I kept my son. What sort of
a choice was that?’
Mma, the product of modernism, concludes that she will repay the sacrifices of her mother, Ezi.
In all, Unigwe posits a question through Mike’s question above-‘What sort of a choice was that?’. That is the conundrum of modernism and traditionalism. Chika Unigwe understands the conundrum of modernism and traditionalism in contemporary African societies. She uses all the weapons at her disposal to portray the conundrum of these two factors especially in an institution well revered in the African society, the marriage institution.
Seun Adeleke.
July 15, 2015
Ezi died a rich woman. She had been a prodigal from her home and society because she was a prostitute. With one beloved daughter, Mma, and loyal friend, Madam Gold, she had lived a defiant and excluded life and did not apologise for it.
The story Night Dancer, while about Ezi's daughter, Mma, explores several characters. It's separated into two parts.
Part one starts off shortly after Mma buries her mom Ezi. She is being reprimanded by Madam Gold for not giving her mom a proper burial.
Mma is angry at her late Mom for a lot of things, like keeping her away from her family; her Father, grand mother, and allowing society to ostracise her. For this reason, despite being left with an abundant potion of wealth, she has a bone to grind with the dead woman.
Chika Unigwe writes the tale in a very nervy way. At the beginning of the story we see a little window into the life of Ezi from the outside - as society paints her, as her daughter knows her and also as her friend Madam Gold knows her. At the beginning, it can be easy to judge Ezi. In a way, it is a reflection of society, we judge from what we see. We judge a book by its cover. In fact, the title of the book is in itself misleading.
As she continues to write, she introduces a new window. Ezi's letters to her daughter, Mma. Mma, having built a lot of contempt for her mother already, this time is drawn to the letters.
I particularly loved how Ezi wrote. Her speaking style woven into her writing, like how she would mention words twice - writing writing, loving loving, etc... Mma, made mention of some things like the redness of the ink, the way sometimes the ink would be faint and the handwriting fleeting to sort of reflect the ongoing mood in the letter.
It was these letters that properly opened an itch in Mma to go and find who her family were. And when part one ends, Mma ends up knocking on the door of a house opened by a woman called Rapu.
Part two is opened with a history of Rapu. It explores Nigeria's fascination with divination. She is like a special child who brings blessings to her up-to-now very unfortunate and poor family.
The diviner's prophesies come to pass when Mike and Ezi come to their village looking for a housemaid. It is the beginning of a true revelation of Ezi's defiant nature...and why in the end, you cannot help but love her understand why she does the things she does.
A lot of themes are covered - xenophobia, religious extremism, adultery in African societies, preferential treatment of boys over girls, education being a waste, true friendship, etc
It's rich in that even though I felt there was no one theme overshadowing another, the way Chika wrote gave each one effective coverage.
When you read and finish it seems to be another tale of prostitution and irreligion but when you dig deeper, it helps us understand that sometimes things are not as simple as they seem.
Thank you Chika.
The story Night Dancer, while about Ezi's daughter, Mma, explores several characters. It's separated into two parts.
Part one starts off shortly after Mma buries her mom Ezi. She is being reprimanded by Madam Gold for not giving her mom a proper burial.
Mma is angry at her late Mom for a lot of things, like keeping her away from her family; her Father, grand mother, and allowing society to ostracise her. For this reason, despite being left with an abundant potion of wealth, she has a bone to grind with the dead woman.
Chika Unigwe writes the tale in a very nervy way. At the beginning of the story we see a little window into the life of Ezi from the outside - as society paints her, as her daughter knows her and also as her friend Madam Gold knows her. At the beginning, it can be easy to judge Ezi. In a way, it is a reflection of society, we judge from what we see. We judge a book by its cover. In fact, the title of the book is in itself misleading.
As she continues to write, she introduces a new window. Ezi's letters to her daughter, Mma. Mma, having built a lot of contempt for her mother already, this time is drawn to the letters.
I particularly loved how Ezi wrote. Her speaking style woven into her writing, like how she would mention words twice - writing writing, loving loving, etc... Mma, made mention of some things like the redness of the ink, the way sometimes the ink would be faint and the handwriting fleeting to sort of reflect the ongoing mood in the letter.
It was these letters that properly opened an itch in Mma to go and find who her family were. And when part one ends, Mma ends up knocking on the door of a house opened by a woman called Rapu.
Part two is opened with a history of Rapu. It explores Nigeria's fascination with divination. She is like a special child who brings blessings to her up-to-now very unfortunate and poor family.
The diviner's prophesies come to pass when Mike and Ezi come to their village looking for a housemaid. It is the beginning of a true revelation of Ezi's defiant nature...and why in the end, you cannot help but love her understand why she does the things she does.
A lot of themes are covered - xenophobia, religious extremism, adultery in African societies, preferential treatment of boys over girls, education being a waste, true friendship, etc
It's rich in that even though I felt there was no one theme overshadowing another, the way Chika wrote gave each one effective coverage.
When you read and finish it seems to be another tale of prostitution and irreligion but when you dig deeper, it helps us understand that sometimes things are not as simple as they seem.
Thank you Chika.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2020
" I wonder who came up with that: the truth will set you free. Nonsense! The truth is many things. It can do many things. But the truth does not always liberate, does it? It is self-serving and sometimes causes harm.... The truth has no hiding place, they say. I say it can stay hidden and not cause harm. I never wanted the truth! I could have done without knowing it. Ignorance is bliss, is it not? There is more truth in that than in everything we have ever been told about the truth."
📖
Written in three parts, Night Dancer By Chika Unigwe is the story of three women - Ezi, Mma, and Rapu- whose lives are inextricably interwoven.
Part one begins in 2001. We meet Mma who is struggling with all the negative emotions and resentment she feels towards her late mother. Infact, one gets the distinct feeling that she is relieved that her mother is dead and she can now live her life and chart her own path, devoid of the shadow of her mother's nasty reputation.
The story starts off right after Mma buries her mom Ezi, and is being reprimanded for not giving her mother a befitting burial, even though she died a rich woman, leaving the bulk of her wealth for Mma to inherit.
Between conversations with her mother's best friend- Mama Gold, and the letters her mother left her, Mma discovers some aspects of her mother's life that were unknown to her.
Part two introduces Rapu, giving a brief history of her life before she came to Mike and Ezi, and the sequence of events that resulted in her upstaging Ezi as the "Madam" of the house.
And the third part brings us back to 2002, when Mma meets her father- Mike, his other family with Rapu and begins to develop an appreciation for her mother, and the choices she made.
I couldn't really relate with Mma's character much because there was no real depth to her and so I found it difficult to connect with her, but I absolutely loved Ezi' s character. She was a strong woman who took on society at a time when stigma against single motherhood was at an all time high. She lived a defiant life on her own terms without apologizing for it.
Night Dancer is a book that shows the double standards of our society when it comes to issues of infidelity. It highlights the ridiculous expectations placed on a woman,what she should do, how she should act and not act, how she should shrug it off and forgive when her husband is caught pants down cheating, afterall, "men are polygamous in nature",and what happens to women who defies these societal expectations and go against the set order.
The title was a bit misleading though. I couldn't see any connection between the plot of the story, any of the characters and the title. I mean, who was the 'Night Dancer'? Was it Ezi, Mma or Rapu?
For me, it's a ⭐⭐⭐
📖
Written in three parts, Night Dancer By Chika Unigwe is the story of three women - Ezi, Mma, and Rapu- whose lives are inextricably interwoven.
Part one begins in 2001. We meet Mma who is struggling with all the negative emotions and resentment she feels towards her late mother. Infact, one gets the distinct feeling that she is relieved that her mother is dead and she can now live her life and chart her own path, devoid of the shadow of her mother's nasty reputation.
The story starts off right after Mma buries her mom Ezi, and is being reprimanded for not giving her mother a befitting burial, even though she died a rich woman, leaving the bulk of her wealth for Mma to inherit.
Between conversations with her mother's best friend- Mama Gold, and the letters her mother left her, Mma discovers some aspects of her mother's life that were unknown to her.
Part two introduces Rapu, giving a brief history of her life before she came to Mike and Ezi, and the sequence of events that resulted in her upstaging Ezi as the "Madam" of the house.
And the third part brings us back to 2002, when Mma meets her father- Mike, his other family with Rapu and begins to develop an appreciation for her mother, and the choices she made.
I couldn't really relate with Mma's character much because there was no real depth to her and so I found it difficult to connect with her, but I absolutely loved Ezi' s character. She was a strong woman who took on society at a time when stigma against single motherhood was at an all time high. She lived a defiant life on her own terms without apologizing for it.
Night Dancer is a book that shows the double standards of our society when it comes to issues of infidelity. It highlights the ridiculous expectations placed on a woman,what she should do, how she should act and not act, how she should shrug it off and forgive when her husband is caught pants down cheating, afterall, "men are polygamous in nature",and what happens to women who defies these societal expectations and go against the set order.
The title was a bit misleading though. I couldn't see any connection between the plot of the story, any of the characters and the title. I mean, who was the 'Night Dancer'? Was it Ezi, Mma or Rapu?
For me, it's a ⭐⭐⭐
December 19, 2014
It takes a while to get into, since the author tries to describe the relationship between mother and daughter. For a while it kept my interest, and there was a really funny, and very relatable wife/house girl dynamic that is just refreshing to read about especially when you've experienced such firsthand. That being said, it was a fairly good book that could have been so much better if it didn't feel so rushed.
May 15, 2016
Great story about the second class status given to women told in the light of a deceased woman and her daughter.The ridiculous pressure mounted on a woman, what she should do, how she should and should not behave. How she should make her decisions giving great consideration to what societal and cultural impact it would make on her family.
This book automatically makes one a feminist. I love it.
This book automatically makes one a feminist. I love it.
July 18, 2016
What I liked:
The character of Ezi- A woman who takes on society at a time stigma towards Single parenthood is an all time high.
What I didn't like:
The the delivery of the story.
I felt the mothers letters came a bit too late ( chap 5) and at some point I wasn't sure whether I was still reading the letters or not.
Ezi being a graduate, why couldn't she get a job?
The book could do with editing especially in conversations. The writer keeps messing up the characters.
The character of Ezi- A woman who takes on society at a time stigma towards Single parenthood is an all time high.
What I didn't like:
The the delivery of the story.
I felt the mothers letters came a bit too late ( chap 5) and at some point I wasn't sure whether I was still reading the letters or not.
Ezi being a graduate, why couldn't she get a job?
The book could do with editing especially in conversations. The writer keeps messing up the characters.
July 8, 2014
'Night Dancer' is an interesting, if sometimes uncomfortable, foray into Nigerian culture. The novel is a slow burn, but Chika Unigwe does a great job of resolving her protagonist's tortured feelings about her deceased mother.
May 28, 2016
This is a page turner. After reading you cannot help but think it's a man's world. No place for miss independent. The book examines the changing role of women amidst deep-rooted traditional beliefs.
Already looking forward to reading her other books.
Already looking forward to reading her other books.
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