This Kind of Trouble

by Tochi Eze

‘Where are the fragments of the life you have lived?’

2005

In Atlanta, Benjamin, a white-passing man of Nigerian heritage, is wondering what his life has been made up of, broken relationships, attempts to forge an identity from others’ memories.

In Lagos, Margaret, a Nigerian single mother, is trying to decipher and finally destroy the mental malaise that has troubled her for as long as she can remember, by winding her way through a complex family history.

Though they are no longer the twenty-somethings they once were when they met, and the 40 years that have passed since they last saw one another might suggest they are strangers, there is a deep and unsettling history that has bound them together since long before they were born.


1905

A well-respected chief in Umumilo village, Nigeria, Okolo has always followed tradition. Then three of the young village women – including his sister, who follows the white man’s God – are shrouded in scandal, and Okolo is forced to choose which path to take: that of least resistance, embracing the ways of the white man to save his village and his sister’s pride, or the other, preserving the ways that have sustained generations – but at what cost?

A beautifully crafted multi-generational story of family history and identity, This Kind of Trouble is a powerful debut that asks what makes up a life, and how when it’s broken, we might put it together again.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Africa, Romance, Nigeria, Contemporary, Audiobook

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[sash. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️

Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books and Penguin Random House for this e-arc via NetGalley! This is truly one of the most refreshing and notable books of 2025!

If the events of the life one lives is a a result of all past actions made by the people who came before you, the ones who are directly responsible for your coming into the world, are the consequences of their actions, whether folly, righteous, well-intentioned, malicious or simply careless, also for a person to bear in their own life? There's a thought-provoking epigraph before the first chapter of Tochi Eze's debut novel "This Kind of Trouble" that wrestles with the "Western" idea that not only should children, those innocents, not be responsible for the actions and the consequences of such actions committed by their forebearers, but that family is, according to fellow Nigerian author Tola Abraham Rotimi, everyone's first war. The two ideas, in contrast, really sets the stage for this incomparable, riveting novel that brings into focus what happens when tradition and modernity converge and wrestle with each other, what happens when the past and the present intertwine to create events that are fated and altogether mysterious, while also calling into question what makes a family. What does it looks like when a life is lived as the result of the actions taken by our ancestors? And what is a person's life in the context of those actions, some fated, some not? Are the connections each of us has to the past and the present, the ties we have to our family, home people, villages, our communities that produce us, shape us, house us and raise us, the moulds of our identity, the thing that gives us humans form and function?

Tochi Eze has weaved a truly magnificent, insightful tale that beautifully captures the complexity of family history, especially shining a light on the Igbo-Nigerian sense of family. Her story follows two key characters, whose stories are intertwined - a white-passing Englishman of Nigerian heritage, Benjamin Fletcher, and his ex-wife Margaret. Their shared connections and troubles predate their first meeting in the 1960's to their forefathers who come from the same Nigerian village, Umumilo, the start of all the troubles. Through three timelines starting in Umumilo during British-imposed colonization in 1905, Tochi Eze weaves and bobs from the fated events that lead to Benjamin and Margaret's coming together, moving to the "present-day" of the book which is in 2005 when the couple are in their sixties and have become estranged. Benjamin lives in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA while Margaret lives in Lagos, Nigeria, battling a mental illness seeming to be schizophrenia. She's constantly communing with spirits, which in the African religious/spiritual context spells something quite different than what Western medicine/people might understand to be happening.

Margaret has taken to heart the words of Umumilo's dibia, who has determined that all the trouble their family lineage faces is due to a curse in his communion with the gods and the ancestors that preside over the home people of Umumilo. Margaret's quest to seek healing and resolution for her family's troubles leads to a quasi-family reunion/reconciliation. In seeking to explore her fraught family history and committing to the payment the gods seek for clearing the path forward for her and Benjamin's direct lineage of family members, in particular their daughter, Nwando, her husband, Nosa and their son Chuka who attends boarding school. Tochi Eze really has a gift for showing the divergence in how the dibia vs. the psychiatrists treat the unsettling, violent events that Margaret believes has resulted in her spiritual disquiet and the discord in their lives. Is it schizophrenia or are the spirits of the ancestors and the gods the home people answer to communing with her about what needs to be done to correct the wrongs they've perceived as being committed by Benjamin and Margaret's ancestors?

Going back in time and reckoning with the events that led to their current situations, Tochi Eze doesn't give exact answers to all the questions Margaret and Benjamin both ask about each of their forebearers. As the reader, you'll have to make that decision for yourself. Besides being original, riveting and altogether unforgettable, I loved the focus on older characters, the dynamics of a family that's in discord and trying to make peace with each other, the focus on the impact of colonialism on indigenous values and ideas and the treatment of family as a sacred group of people who are related not only through lineage, but also a series of events. This is an extraordinary debut!

[LeserinLu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich liebe es, neue großartige Erzählstimmen aus aller Welt zu entdecken und dies hier ist definitiv eine davon. Der Roman „Stimmen der Nacht“ spielt in Nigeria Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts, im Lagos der 1960er-Jahre und der 2010er, das heißt in Zeiten des Umbruchs, geprägt von Aufbruchsstimmung nach der Unabhängigkeit, aber auch von tief verwurzelten Konflikten. In diesem Spannungsfeld begegnen sich Margaret und Benjamin, die beide auf unterschiedliche Weise nach Zugehörigkeit und Identität suchen. Aus ihrer Begegnung entwickelt sich eine Liebesgeschichte, die jedoch zunehmend von inneren und äußeren Spannungen überschattet wird.

Besonders gefallen hat mir, wie der Roman persönliche Schicksale mit größeren gesellschaftlichen Themen verknüpft. Fragen nach Herkunft, kultureller Identität und Glaube ziehen sich durch die gesamte Handlung. Dabei spielen auch intergenerationale Traumata eine zentrale Rolle: Die Vergangenheit wirkt unterschwellig, aber mit großer Wucht in das Leben der Figuren hinein und bestimmt ihre Gegenwart stärker, als ihnen zunächst bewusst ist. Die Geschichte entwickelt dabei eine stetige Spannung. Anfangs noch getragen von der Dynamik zwischen Margaret und Benjamin, wird sie im weiteren Verlauf zunehmend düsterer, insbesondere durch Margarets psychische Entwicklung und die nach und nach enthüllten Ereignisse aus der Vergangenheit. Dieser langsame, fast unausweichliche Bruch ist eindringlich erzählt.

Sprachlich hat mir der Roman ebenfalls sehr gut gefallen, weil er einfach gut erzählt ist. Die Übersetzung liest sich flüssig und transportiert die Atmosphäre der Geschichte überzeugend, es gibt nur ganz wenige Längen. Besonders schön finde ich es außerdem durch den neuen Pfaueninselverlag eine neue literarische Stimme kennenzulernen, von der ich gerne noch mehr lesen würde.

[Adrianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within the first few pages, readers are drawn into the mystery of Benjamin and Margaret's relationship and what led to their separation. Eze masterfully reveals just enough information about Benni and Maggie, along with their ancestors' stories, to keep readers eagerly turning pages to uncover the details of the curse that has crippled Margaret for years.

For those unfamiliar with Nigerian culture, this book provides an accessible introduction to cultural interactions and speech patterns. The village scenes effectively convey basic customs, while each chapter's storytelling deepens our cultural understanding. The book weaves historical context throughout—particularly in depicting the relationship between the Nigerian village and English colonials.

Margaret emerges as a fascinating character. Her internal struggle—balancing ancestral cultural traditions with Christian beliefs while seeking answers in modern medicine—creates a relatable portrait of someone striving to protect her family while feeling constrained by limited solutions. Driven by fear, she pursues every possible avenue—therapy, medicine, spiritual cleansing—to safeguard her loved ones.

The ending illuminates the true nature of Benjamin and Margaret's characters and their deep affection for each other.

[haslerroberson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟 I love the combination of multi-pov and a non-linear timeline, which together serves to create a sense of suspense. This story, which comes to a head with Margaret and Benjamin but started long before they were born, asks several intriguing questions. The events of Margaret’s life- are they the will of the Gods, or are they a result of mental illness? Do these events stem from chance or, rather, fate? This book also had me reflecting on familial relationships, and which is more important- a shared name or shared blood? Overall, I found this to be an interesting read, despite it feeling slow at times.

[Nnenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m left with more questions than answers. I really enjoyed this read.

[Kenzie | kenzienoelle.reads]

I was so excited to read this book, the synopsis instantly hooked me. However where I just read to, there is a character seeing demons and that’s a topic that I draw the line at reading about. So I am DNFing this book.

Thank you so so much Tiny Rep for this gifted book!!

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how to feel. I have a lot of questions but this was really enjoyable. I’m still asking myself questions and plotting things that happened out loud.

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This novel follows the "two timelines format" which seems to be very popular these days - one in the early 1900s, one in the 2000s, with a few chapters taking place in the 1970s, and the classic format of the past storyline having an impact of some sort on the characters in the modern plotline.

We follow Benjamin and Margaret, a separated couple from Nigeria, who reconnect through their daughter, and their ancestors, Okolo who worked with the British to bring peace to his village after tragedy, and a small group of women, including his sister Priscilla, shunned by the village after an affair with a white man.

Margaret believes that her current problems come from a curse linked to the events that took place in the village in 1905, she hears voices and is convinced that the villagers are trying to show their anger for marrying Benjamin in the first place.

I enjoyed the novel... But the link between the two stories was explicit straight away so I didn't feel there was a lot of suspense and so a lot of the chapters on Margaret trying to understand her ancestors felt a bit redundant because the reader already knows. It was well written but not particularly memorable I'm afraid.

Free ARC sent by Netgalley.

[Tosin (booksxnaps) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Steph | bookedinsaigon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books and Penguin Random House International for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review #gifted #PRHInternationalPartner

In many ways, THIS KIND OF TROUBLE reminds me of the storytelling prowess of great African writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Yaa Gyasi. It’s an intensely emotional, character-driven multigenerational family saga with a splash of “is it or is it not?” magical realism. Some pacing issues and a somewhat unsatisfying ending make this fall just short of my favorites list, but it’s still a formidable debut for 2025, and well worth checking out.

What is THIS KIND OF TROUBLE about? A formerly married couple, Benjamin and Margaret, whose ancestors come from the same Nigerian village. Some interconnected drama reverberates across generations, and, as senior citizens, Benjamin and Margaret have to reconcile the harm they’ve done themselves, one another, and others if they want a chance at ensuring the happiness and health of their children and grandchildren.

As with many canonical Nigerian writers, Eze’s prose is sharp, constrained, yet powerfully evocative. In the space of a few sentences she can masterfully and confidently delineate the edges and textures of each character—their quirks, worries, and values.

This in particular leant a hypnotic, “fable-like” air to the chapters set in Benjamin and Margaret’s grandparents’ timelines, in the tiny Nigerian village of Umumilo at the turn of the twentieth century, when British colonial influence was beginning to make its way into Nigerian society. It was a bit confusing at first to keep track of what was happening in those chapters and what they had to do with Benjamin’s and Margaret’s chapters, but Eze’s prose meant that it was easy to persevere.

I did wish that the ending had been a tad bit more satisfying, as the buildup was slow and didn’t feel like everything was fully resolved. Despite that, though, THIS KIND OF TROUBLE is still one of the strongest debut novels I’ve read this year. I am so excited for more people to check out this book, and can’t wait to see what Tochi Eze has got for us next.

[Whatithinkaboutthisbook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze
Publication Date: August 5/25

A compelling debut novel exploring family, community and the invisible threads of history. This is a powerful multigenerational novel that follows a family’s attempts to outrun a curse placed on their ancestors. Spanning Nigeria, London and the US, the story centers on Benjamin and Margaret, whose passionate romance is overshadowed by their tribal clan who forbids their marriage due to tragic events that befell their grandparents.

Initially the forbidden love feels heady and tantalizing, but it slowly unravels into something darker. Margaret begins to feel the heavy weight of the ancestral curse. Is it the anger of the ancestors or is it a slow devolution of her mental health? Benjamin unwilling to support the changes he is witnessing in Margaret, abandons her and his young daughter. Decades later, he is reluctantly drawn back into their lives when Margaret becomes convinced that the curse is now threatening their grandson, Chuka.

Eze’s novel is rich with themes of identity, family, community and duty. Margaret emerges as a
fierce independent woman - one who builds a successful career and raises a child alone during a time when single motherhood was heavily stigmatized. The novel explores the complexity of family relationships especially within the communal traditions of Igbo-Nigerian culture, where the boundaries between life, death, spirits and ancestors are deeply intertwined.

The novel skillfully shifts between three timelines: the era of British colonization in the early 1900’s in Umumilo, the ill fated love story of the 1960’s, and the present day urgency surrounding Chuka. Through these interwoven narratives, Eze examines the impact of colonization, the tension between traditional spirituality and Christianity, the struggle between maintaining cultural and community traditions vs embracing modernity.

At its heart, this is a story about family - its strengths, expectations and its burdens. Eze thoughtfully portrays the complexity of relationships through marriage, parenthood and the cyclical nature of children caring for their elders. The novel also offers a nuanced exploration of mental health raising the question: is Margaret truly suffering from a psychological condition or does she possess a deep, spiritual connection to her ancestors, one that demands reconciliation for past transgressions?

While I found the themes deeply resonant and the storytelling evocative I struggled to connect with the main characters on an emotional level, which slightly diminished my engagement with the narrative. Nevertheless this is a great debut novel and I look forward to reading future work.

[Onyeka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a long, laborious read for me. Very odd given that’s it’s a historical fiction novel rooted in colonial Igbo-land, with multiple timelines and lead voices. Tochi Eze explores power, family and faith so intelligently, but so much of the plot is left as a question, much like the end. Which is incredibly dissatisfying as a reader.

This Kind of Trouble follows Benjamin and Margaret, whose pasts weave them together in what Benni regards as “forbidden love”. Mistakes of their forefathers haunt them both individually and collectively over the course of their lives, pushing them to atone for it by making the ultimate sacrifice. It’s an interesting premise, and there were laugh-out-loud, ludicrous moments, but the book lacks a certain oomph somehow.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze! This historical fiction has alternating timelines, from Benjamin in Atlanta 2005, the Kinsmen in Umumilo 1905 and Margaret in Lagos 2005. I really enjoyed how the story flowed from generations and the lasting myths or curses that can affect a family for decades. It was heartbreaking at times to read about Margaret dealing with her mental heath and its influence on her family members. I’d definitely be interested to read this author’s next book! This was a great debut novel!

Thank you to the publisher for my copy!

[🌟💌☕️📖 · Rating 2 out of 5]

i appreciate what this story was trying to do but i struggled to relate to the characters or story in any meaningful way. however, the themes explored were very interesting and leaves food for thought!

[Annelise Wilp · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - I really struggled to connect with the characters and there is no interesting plot halfway through.

[Njoki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It came together in a rushed way towards the end .
I am satisfied but it really dragged some situations.

[Michi Gardner · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was very strong, the writing very approachable, and the initial chapters very solid with their intrigue and promises. Unfortunately, I think this novel suffered from too much of everything: too many characters, too many scenes without clear meaning, too many themes, too many things left unanswered, and too many breaks in the established structure.

I'm generally a fan of split narratives, but they get messy and unsustainable when the rules they set for themselves/the rules that generally keep them parsable, are broken. For instance, this book seemed to set up that it would follow Benjamin and Margaret in the present, Benjamin and Margaret in the past, and the events of 1905. In the beginning, Benjamin and Margaret's chapters stuck very closely to a third person limited perspective following just them and the Kinsmen's chapters had a more third person unlimited perspective. All chapters had years to keep things straight, (though the past chapters where Benjamin and Margaret began their relationship had a vaguer range, just "1960s") and for the first few chapters they stuck close to these times and did not venture into past or future beyond a throw away line of foreshadowing. But then it went downhill when Benjamin's 2005 chapters would suddenly switch to scenes that took place in the 1960s and when the Kinsmen chapters would just around---sometimes stealing the "punch" of a reveal before it could fully develop (as was the case with Bassey's death or Olisa being harbored by Priscilla). The back and forth grew confusing and ultimately really hurt the reading experience because it took away so much of the mystery of what would happen next.

The 1905 sections were by far the most interesting---both in terms of the characters, their dynamics, and the thematic importance they seemed to suggest. However, they were not given enough room to fully explore those themes, so everything felt a little half-baked. I would have loved to see more of Priscilla's struggles with identity and faith, Bassey's struggles of living in two worlds and an interpreter, Adaora's coping with what happened to her and the lack of support received from her people. The only thing that felt sort-of solid was Okolo's conflict between helping his family and helping his people (and how working with the White man would impact both).

On that note, half of the themes and the actions of the characters fell so flat because I felt like I didn't know any of the characters. I'm not sure if it's because there were so many or because I could not possibly see any of the people in present in the people they were in the past, but it all came together to make none of them feel real. Sometimes I thought that I must have missed entire scenes because nothing a character did seemed to make sense given what I had read about them up to that point. Sometimes, it felt as though a character did a total 180 and I was just supposed to accept it without any explanation.

And then the ending. Too many things left unanswered, too many inconsistencies. It didn't feel like a satisfying conclusion to the story at all.

[Elena L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin, a half-Nigerian living in the US, goes back to his roots in Lagos and has to face his once love-of-his-life after receiving an unexpected call.

Alternating between two timelines and spanning continents, the story transcends what seems like a love story between Benjamin and Margaret, whose ancestral come from the same village. As this estranged couple survive the consequences of the past, floundering between tradition x modernity amidst a changing world, Eze examines the impact of colonialism, westernization, race, culture and religion, specially in the Nigerian community.

When the ancient ways linger as a pillar of the thoughts, the characters challenge the looks of fierce judgements, the boundaries often set by religion and legacy. The story covers relevant themes while diving into the mystery of their grandparents, with a dash of magical realism and suspense. The back-and-forth and initial scattered narrative might demand reader's perseverance at first, however, Eze's intention becomes clear, quite well-executed through a confident prose. This book is not a feel-good book, rather, I was heavily sad by witnessing the gravity and complexity of mental health. And I am still digesting that ending...

THIS KIND OF TROUBLE is a solid debut, a multigenerational family saga that invites deeply emotional reactions. I am eager to see what Eze writes next.

[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Tiny Rep books . All thoughts are my own ]

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

generational trauma, here i come!

i enjoyed this debut a lot, even though the first 30-40% i was mostly confused but addicted.
with its many characters and wide range of eras/periods, 'this kind of trouble' kept my attention and intrigued me with every chapter. i think i enjoyed the 1900s chapters more, probably because of how different the times were, but i still loved the book as a whole.

3.75 stars from me
thank you netgalley and penguin group dutton for this arc.

[Milly]

3.5

[Uzoamaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rating is because of the writing as the story drifted for me. I felt it had a lot of potential at the start then tailed off. I enjoyed the writing around the village which formed the backdrop of the ancestral talk.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting debut novel. I'm a huge fan of multigenerational stories that span different eras.
Although the topics are quite dark, the author's prose is beautiful and makes you want to know more. I thought the contrast between the Western world vs Traditional African viewpoint on what we would consider a mental illness vs a generational curse was so well done and thought provoking.

[Bebel Sader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estava com saudades de uma história nigeriana. Foi ótima a leitura, mas o livro perde um pouco o ritmo no final.

[Shayna Cal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book when wandering around a local bookstore, only to be approached by a woman absolutely beaming with pride after finding her friend Tochi Eze’s debut novel on display. the interaction was so endearing that I purchased the book.

I enjoyed it! Safe to say that Eze has a bright future ahead of her, and I am looking forward to reading her future works.

[Gerwine Ogbuagu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diese gewaltige Familiengeschichte, angelegt in der Igbo Kultur im Ananambra State, Nigeria, nimmt einen vom ersten Kapitel an gefangen. Der Roman bewegt sich durch unterschiedliche Zeitebenen und Länder. Die Geschichte beginnt 1905 mit den Ahnen im Dorf Umumilo. Dort geschieht vieles Geheimnisvolle. Es ist die Zeit der „Ankunft des weißen Mannes“, so auch genannt im bekannten Roman von Chinua Achebe, Things Fall apart. Diese Zeit übt eine zerstörerische Wirkung aus auf bis dahin intakte Familien und Dorfstrukturen. Die Familie von der wir hier lesen, ist zahlreich. Sie hat unfassbar unter der neuen Kolonialherrschaft zu leiden. Tochi Eze erzählt uns von den Ereignissen, die eine barbarische Herrschaft, hier Engländer, Menschen antut, die bis dahin in ihren eigenen Strukturen ihr Leben sehr gut bewältigten. Es sind Bauern und Menschen, denen tiefes philosophisches und soziales Denken zu eigen ist. Die Autorin gibt uns zahlreiche Beispiele über ihre Lebensart, sie lässt uns tief eintauchen in die Art und Weise, wie das Volk der Igbo sich gegenseitig unterstützt. Sie sind demokratisch organisiert und beschließen Wichtiges gemeinsam. Im Gegensatz dazu bestimmen die Kolonialherren und Kirchenmänner, die in das Dorf kommen, wie sie alles verändern wollen, z. B. was sie was sie dort bauen würden. Mit roher Gewalt unterwerfen sie die Dorfbewohner, sie brachen einem sogar die Nase mit ihrem Stock…(in dieser Geschichte – man kann davon ausgehen, dass Tausende damals verletzt wurden…)
Die Missionare versuchen wie überall auf der Welt, den christlichen Gott in diese über Jahrhunderte gewachsenen Gemeinschaften zu bringen. Sie bringen es fertig in dieser Geschichte, manche zu überzeugen, wenn es aber um existentielle Fragen geht, vertrauen die Menschen hier immer noch ihrem Dibia, dem Arzt und Heiler ihrer Tradition.
Die Erzählung verfolgt Lebenswege verschiedener Familienmitglieder. Geheimnisvoll ist es, dass junge Frauen im Dorf schwanger werden und nicht preisgeben, wer sie geschwängert hat. So stellt der Ehemann Adaoras erst in der Hochzeitsnacht fest, dass seine neue Ehefrau bereits schwanger ist. Die jungen Frauen sind in Erklärungsnot. Wir Leser erfahren, dass ein Landstreicher zahlreiche Frauen mit einem Pulver in seine Gewalt gebracht hat.
Der Roman arbeitet mit zahlreichen Zeitsprüngen. Wir lesen, was in der Vergangenheit geschah und was in der Zukunft sein wird.
Die Handlung findet in Lagos statt, im Dorf, in den Vereinigten Staaten und in England, in London. All die erstaunlichen Ereignisse führen viele der Protagonisten zurück auf Flüche der Götter. So erklären sie sich die Ereignisse unter denen sie leiden müssen. Wir lesen von ergreifenden Liebesgeschichten und vom Lebenskampf der verschiedenen Familienmitglieder an den unterschiedlichen Orten, in denen sie leben. Sie alle sind sehr mit ihren Traditionen verflochten. Selbst wenn sie die Dorfgemeinschaft verlassen und in Großstädten wohnen wie Lagos, wo modernes Leben stattfindet, sind es immer ihre Traditionen und ihre Glaubensphilosophien, die ihr Leben begleiten und sogar bestimmen, wenn es um Schicksalsfragen geht. Dieser Roman lässt uns sehr viel von der Igbo Kultur lernen und eine Vorstellung davon bekommen, was sich vor weit über hundert Jahren in Afrika und anderen Kulturen durch Unterwerfung abgespielt hat. Es gibt viele Romane von bekannten nigerianischen Schriftstellern und solchen aus anderen afrikanischen Ländern, die diese Themen beinhalten. Das Besondere an Tochi Ezes Werk sind die verschiedenen Zeitrahmen, in denen sich die Protagonisten hier bewegen.

[Uche Ezeudu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
When I finished reading Tochi Eze’s This Kind of Trouble, I became deeply aware of the mental illness known as schizophrenia. It’s easy to assume it’s a “white man’s illness” — maybe because of how foreign the name sounds — but when we look closely at Africans living with the condition, it becomes clear that schizophrenia is no respecter of race. The most chilling part? It can be hereditary. This kind of trouble, indeed.

This outstanding debut, spanning a hundred years, tells the story of Margaret, a middle-aged woman living with schizophrenia. Through the voices of Margaret, her estranged British husband Benjamin, and their kinsmen, the narrative traces the lineage of these characters back to their ancestors, showing how the events that took place in the village, Umumilo echo down generations.

In Umumilo, a mysterious figure impregnates virgins, and among the victims are Adaora, the intended bride of the great wrestler and chief, Okolo and his younger sister, Priscilla. When the culprit is finally discovered, it sets off a chain of events that brings ostracization, death, shame, and separation.

Fast forward to 2005: Margaret is plagued by terrifying visions and unexplainable experiences. Her hallucinations, paranoia, and memory lapses leave her tormented and isolated, until she begins to believe what the village Chief Priest said, that her family is being punished by the gods for an unatoned ancestral sin. Still, we see a woman battling mental illness while striving to build a meaningful life as a single mother after being abandoned by her husband.

The novel’s tone underscores a haunting theme, that the sins of the forefathers may indeed be visited upon the descendants. It’s a powerful and important work because it portrays mental illness in a way that’s rarely done in African fiction, especially schizophrenia. It also raises difficult questions: Is it ever right to defy tradition for the sake of forbidden love? And when tradition and science collide, which one should prevail?

Culturally, the book is richly rooted in Igbo life, painting vivid scenes from both the colonial and modern eras. It’s refreshing to see this blend — something that recalls the literary spirit of Achebe’s generation, yet feels entirely new. Tochi Eze maintains an air of intrigue throughout, keeping you wondering whether the sins of the fathers truly revisit the children, or whether sometimes, life is just painfully simple.

One of the most resonant themes is family, beautifully captured in this excerpt from page 160:

“This was also what family meant, stones strapped to your back, a log of wood you had to drag behind you... But family was also the place where shame could be deposited.”

Tochi Eze’s storytelling is remarkable. This Kind of Trouble is an amazing debut, deeply cultural, emotionally layered, and unforgettable.

[Dima · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. It's a story of 2 descendants of families in a Nigerian village, where, 100 years before the events described in the book, an odd event happened. The event haunts the two protagonists' lives, and seems to make any potential happiness they might want elusive. At its core, the story is about the sins of the fathers lying on the shoulders of their sons and daughters. It is also a story about the tension between the older beliefs and gods, and Christianity (or lack of faith, altogether). This tension explodes in particular when the pivotal event of the story happens in the early 20th century - as the old and the new collide, with the coming of the "white man" to the village at the centre of the book.

I liked the premise and found the structure of the book quite compelling. The writing and plot development were actually quite exciting, and the characters (especially the two protagonists) were well defined and minutely articulated. The latter two's psychological profile was especially well crafted.

However, I really struggled with the book. There are probably two main reasons. First, I am not sure why I should care about the events. Having finished the book, I'm not sure that there was anything interesting or empathy inducing in what I read. I'm not sure whether this is because of the writing, which didn't make me feel enough, or because of the ambivalent attitude to the villagers' traditional faith and traditions. There just wasn't anything happening that I felt any affinity to - it felt not universal enough, and too far away from any experience I could make myself care for. Secondly, as mentioned, I struggled with the overtones of ghosts, spirits, and their ilk. The book seems to be saying that there is something to it, and that these can and should co-exist with any modern beliefs. It gives credence and validity to a horrid system that is cruel, terrifyingly violent, and misogynistic. It just turned any empathy I might have off.

I don't think the book is for everyone. Perhaps Nigerians or Africans more broadly might find more in it to like or be interested in. Otherwise, I think this book lacks the universality of experience that makes great literature.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Seitenmusik · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Er war nicht nur auf der Suche nach seinen Wurzeln, wollte nicht nur Verantwortung übernehmen für die Vergangenheit. Nein, er war gefahren, weil er der Sohn seines Vaters war. Weil das Land und sein Volk dort immer nach ihm rufen würden, ganz gleich, wo in der Welt er sich befand." (S. 227–228)
„Die Stimmen der Nacht" von Tochi Eze ist am 30.03.2026 beim Pfaueninsel Verlag erschienen (352 Seiten), übersetzt aus dem Englischen von Agnes Krup.

Worum geht's?
Lagos, 1960er Jahre. In einer Stadt voller Aufbruchsstimmung nach der Unabhängigkeit lernen die selbstbewusste Margaret und der in Großbritannien geborene Benjamin einander kennen. Er auf der Suche nach seinen nigerianischen Wurzeln, sie mit einem Geheimnis, das größer ist als sie selbst. Als Jahrzehnte später ihr gemeinsamer Enkel beginnt, Zeichen zu zeigen, die Margaret aus ihrer eigenen Vergangenheit kennt, müssen beide sich Fragen stellen, die sie längst hinter sich gelassen glaubten. Der Roman spannt einen Bogen von einem kleinen Dorf in Igboland um 1905 über das Lagos der Sechziger bis ins Atlanta des Jahres 2005.

Meine Meinung

Was diesen Roman von Beginn an auszeichnet, ist die thematische Dichte: Schuld und ihre Weitergabe über Generationen, Glaube und Fluch, psychische Erkrankung zwischen spiritueller Deutung und medizinischer Diagnose, Kolonialismus als anhaltende Wunde, Identität in der Diaspora, die Frage, wessen Erklärung für Leid gilt und wessen Heilung legitim ist. Margaret leidet unter dem, was die Moderne Schizophrenie nennen würde, was in ihrer Herkunftsgemeinschaft als Fluch gedeutet wird. Die Autorin lotet alle Möglichkeitsräume dazwischen aus, ohne eine Seite zu privilegieren. Das ist wirklich schlau gemacht und respektvoll zugleich.

Was mich am Anfang gefordert hat waren die vielen Figuren, zwischen denen ich mich ich erst orientieren musste. Ein Glossar oder eine Figurenübersicht wäre hier eine echte Hilfe gewesen.

Eine Stelle möchte ich explizit ansprechen: Das N-Wort wird im Text ausgeschrieben (S. 10). Ich verstehe, dass es in einem historischen Kontext steht; aber die Frage, ob eine Übersetzung ins Deutsche dieses Wort 1:1 übernehmen muss oder ob es sensiblere Lösungen gäbe, ist berechtigt. Ich hätte mir da jedenfalls einen Hinweis im Buch gewünscht und war etwas schockiert.

Was dem Roman bleibt, ist eine Stärke, die über die Einzelkritik hinausgeht: Er erzählt von Frauen, die in einer patriarchalischen Welt bestehen mit einer stillen Unnachgiebigkeit, die sich ins Gedächtnis brennt.

Fazit

„Die Stimmen der Nacht" ist ein anspruchsvolles Debüt, das seinen Lesenden einiges abverlangt aber definitiv was zurückgibt, wenn man sich darauf einlässt. Empfehlung für alle, die literarische Unterhaltung mit Tiefgang suchen, sich für nigerianische Geschichte und Igbo-Kultur interessieren und Romane mögen, die über Generationen hinweg denken. Wer einen leicht zugänglichen Einstieg erwartet, sollte etwas Geduld mitbringen.

Herzlichen Dank an Lovelybooks für das Rezensionsexemplar!

[Adenike Raks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I raced to request an ARC of this book when I saw it because I've been a fan of the author's work for many years and read her newsletter. When I received it, I practically gobbled it up and had a few bleary-eyed mornings because I said, "One more page," way too many times the night before.

This story is different. It's about Margaret and Benjamin, whose love seems destined to fail because of things that happen decades before they are born that aren't within their control. This book is a poignant meditation on how our personal histories affect our lives even when unaware of what has happened before us.

I really liked the plot of this one and how the characters were intertwined. I enjoyed the parts of the book set in Igboland in the early 1900s and bore witness to the struggle between the people and their colonisers. I'm a sucker for books set in that timeline, and it reminded me of Things Fall Apart in a very good way.

Margaret & Benjamin's marriage falls apart because of her mental health struggles, and an ancestral curse supposedly causes the struggle. Even though they don't believe this, it deeply affects their lives, and they become estranged. When Margaret senses that her grandson might become a victim of the same curse, she decides to take action and fix things, and Benjamin, whom she hasn't seen for decades, comes from Atlanta to join in the rites.

If you're looking for clear answers, clear endings and a clean resolution, you won't find it here, and that's exactly why I love this book so much. Here, art imitates life. Nobody usually knows why or what will happen in life, and the author did a great job of portraying that tension. I also like how the delicate subject of mental health was handled here. It didn't take away Margaret's complexity; sometimes you love her and sometimes you hate her.

Definitely pick up this debut if you're looking for a fresh, unique voice and perspective.

[Reads by Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down

This book explores how long-buried events from a century ago continue to cast shadows over the present, shaping lives and relationships across generations. The narrative delves into the influence of both traditional and modern religious beliefs as well as the absence of faith revealing how they stir inner conflict and generational tension.

At the heart of the novel are Margaret and Benjamin, though the roots of their story run deeper, beginning long before their time. The book raises thought-provoking questions: Are the strange turns in Margaret’s life dictated by divine intervention, random chance, mental instability, or perhaps fate itself? It also prompts reflection on what truly defines family—biological ties or simply a shared name.

Despite its strong character development and solid writing, the story felt emotionally flat. While the novel clearly aimed for emotional impact, it left me unmoved. The characters, though well-crafted, didn’t resonate with me personally, and I struggled to find them relatable or engaging. The pacing was slow, and although the ideas were intellectually stimulating, the overall experience felt dull. I reached the final page wondering what I was supposed to care about—the romance, the plot, or even the characters themselves.

Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.