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The Bride Price
A Nigerian girl is allowed to finish her education because a diploma will enhance her bride price, but she then rebels against traditional marriage customs.
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
93 people are currently reading
2770 people want to read
About the author
Buchi Emecheta
26 books606 followersBuchi Emecheta OBE was a Nigerian novelist who has published over 20 books, including Second-Class Citizen (1974), The Bride Price (1976), The Slave Girl (1977) and The Joys of Motherhood (1979). Her themes of child slavery, motherhood, female independence and freedom through education have won her considerable critical acclaim and honours, including an Order of the British Empire in 2005. Emecheta once described her stories as "stories of the world…[where]… women face the universal problems of poverty and oppression, and the longer they stay, no matter where they have come from originally, the more the problems become identical."
From 1965 to 1969, Emecheta worked as a library officer for the British Museum in London. From 1969 to 1976 she was a youth worker and sociologist for the Inner London Education Authority, and from 1976 to 1978 she was a community worker.
Following her success as an author, Emecheta travelled widely as a visiting professor and lecturer. From 1972 to 1979 she visited several American universities, including Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
From 1980 to 1981, she was senior resident fellow and visiting professor of English, University of Calabar, Nigeria. In 1982 she lectured at Yale University, and the University of London, as well as holding a fellowship at the University of London in 1986.
From 1982 to 1983 Buchi Emecheta, together with her journalist son Sylvester, ran the Ogwugwu Afor Publishing Company.
(from Wikipedia)
From 1965 to 1969, Emecheta worked as a library officer for the British Museum in London. From 1969 to 1976 she was a youth worker and sociologist for the Inner London Education Authority, and from 1976 to 1978 she was a community worker.
Following her success as an author, Emecheta travelled widely as a visiting professor and lecturer. From 1972 to 1979 she visited several American universities, including Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
From 1980 to 1981, she was senior resident fellow and visiting professor of English, University of Calabar, Nigeria. In 1982 she lectured at Yale University, and the University of London, as well as holding a fellowship at the University of London in 1986.
From 1982 to 1983 Buchi Emecheta, together with her journalist son Sylvester, ran the Ogwugwu Afor Publishing Company.
(from Wikipedia)
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December 8, 2021
This is the story of the young girl Aku-nna, a member of the ancient Ibo people, living near the city of Lagos in Nigeria in the 1950’s, when Nigerians, who had fought as a British colony in WWII, were moving toward independence.
Impacts of the war lingered in her village, and the people struggled to navigate a mix of old and new, Nigerian and European customs, Christian and traditional Ibo beliefs. The details were fascinating.
“Ma Blackie was to remain alone in this special hut; not until the months of mourning were over could she visit people in their homes. She must never have a bath. No pair of scissors nor comb must touch her hair. She must wear continually the same old smoked rags.”
Buchi Emecheta tells a straightforward tale, but her ability to immerse the reader in the time and place is exceptional, giving it a special depth. It’s a love story, full of ambitions, rituals, traditions, family feuds, and tragedy.
I’m so happy to have discovered this book--a cultural snapshot that opened a whole world for me. Emecheta’s personal story is inspiring (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchi_E...) and her writing deserves a wider audience.
Impacts of the war lingered in her village, and the people struggled to navigate a mix of old and new, Nigerian and European customs, Christian and traditional Ibo beliefs. The details were fascinating.
“Ma Blackie was to remain alone in this special hut; not until the months of mourning were over could she visit people in their homes. She must never have a bath. No pair of scissors nor comb must touch her hair. She must wear continually the same old smoked rags.”
Buchi Emecheta tells a straightforward tale, but her ability to immerse the reader in the time and place is exceptional, giving it a special depth. It’s a love story, full of ambitions, rituals, traditions, family feuds, and tragedy.
I’m so happy to have discovered this book--a cultural snapshot that opened a whole world for me. Emecheta’s personal story is inspiring (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchi_E...) and her writing deserves a wider audience.
Read
May 6, 2017This is my second from Emecheta, after her The Joys of Motherhood having left an unfortunate taste in my mouth; chamomile, not Earl=Grey. But this was already on my shelf, and short, so I thought I'd give it a go. Expecting to leave off after 30 or 50 pages. But it turns out that it worked well for an enjoyable afternoon reading ; not for it's content of course, harrowing as that is, but just the right book for the right mood. Still far too much explaining going on for my preferences, leaving me with the thought that its interest lies more in the anthropology than in the literary. So be it.
March 17, 2014
Aku-nna's father dies when she is thirteen-years-old. Her mother, Ma Blackie, is forced by economic circumstances to leave their close community of supportive relatives in Lagos, and move back to her village in Ibuza with Aku-nna and eleven-year-old Nna-nndo. Following tradition, Ma Blackie becomes the fourth wife of her deceased husband's brother, Okonkwo. Ma Blackie has some money set aside for Aku-nna to finish her schooling, and Okonkwo agrees, only because an educated girl will fetch a higher bride price.
A potential groom offers a bride price to the bride's family as compensation for the loss of a worker in the bride's family. Women are considered property in traditional villages, and cannot determine their own future. There is a tribal superstition that a girl will die in childbirth if her bride price is not paid. (Some of these brides are so young, undernourished, and with such narrow hips that this superstition unfortunately does come true far too often.)
Aku-nna is a fragile, intelligent girl who feels lonely in her new home. Her young teacher Chike is very kind and protective of her, and soon they fall in love. Chike wishes to marry her, but Okonkwo refuses. Because Chike is a descendent of slaves, it would bring shame on Okonkwo's family if Aku-nna married Chike.
In Nigeria, one tribe would kidnap people of another tribe and force them into slavery. Under colonial rule, the slaves were released but their descendents were considered inferior and not true members of the village. A caste system exists where a villager could not marry a descendent of a slave, no matter how educated or successful they were.
There is a conflict between traditional and modern ways when Aku-nna falls in love with Chike and wants to marry him. The book has some serious themes such as tradition, the caste system, feminism, and superstition. How important are community values and community support as opposed to individual values and free will? The story itself is very engaging, keeping my attention as I wondered if the tale of the two Nigerian lovers would have a happy ending.
Buchi Emecheta was born in Nigeria in 1944, and her father died when she was nine years old. She was engaged at age eleven, and married at age sixteen. She left her unhappy, violent marriage six years later. She earned a degree in Sociology in London, while working and raising her five children alone. The author's own experiences from her early life are obviously influencing her writing, and many of her books deal with feminine oppression and poverty.
A potential groom offers a bride price to the bride's family as compensation for the loss of a worker in the bride's family. Women are considered property in traditional villages, and cannot determine their own future. There is a tribal superstition that a girl will die in childbirth if her bride price is not paid. (Some of these brides are so young, undernourished, and with such narrow hips that this superstition unfortunately does come true far too often.)
Aku-nna is a fragile, intelligent girl who feels lonely in her new home. Her young teacher Chike is very kind and protective of her, and soon they fall in love. Chike wishes to marry her, but Okonkwo refuses. Because Chike is a descendent of slaves, it would bring shame on Okonkwo's family if Aku-nna married Chike.
In Nigeria, one tribe would kidnap people of another tribe and force them into slavery. Under colonial rule, the slaves were released but their descendents were considered inferior and not true members of the village. A caste system exists where a villager could not marry a descendent of a slave, no matter how educated or successful they were.
There is a conflict between traditional and modern ways when Aku-nna falls in love with Chike and wants to marry him. The book has some serious themes such as tradition, the caste system, feminism, and superstition. How important are community values and community support as opposed to individual values and free will? The story itself is very engaging, keeping my attention as I wondered if the tale of the two Nigerian lovers would have a happy ending.
Buchi Emecheta was born in Nigeria in 1944, and her father died when she was nine years old. She was engaged at age eleven, and married at age sixteen. She left her unhappy, violent marriage six years later. She earned a degree in Sociology in London, while working and raising her five children alone. The author's own experiences from her early life are obviously influencing her writing, and many of her books deal with feminine oppression and poverty.
March 20, 2016
Aku-nna knew that she was too insignificant to be regarded as a blessing to this unfortunate marriage. Not only was she a girl but she was much too thin for the approval of her parents, who would rather have a strong and plump little girl for a daughter. Aku-nna just would not put on weight, and this made her look as if she was being starved; but she simply had not the kind of healthy appetite her brother Nna-nndo had. And that was not the end off the disgrace she was showering on her family. If a child at the other end of Akinwunmi Street had chicken-pox, Aku-nna was bound to catch it; if someone else at the bottom of the yard had malaria, Aku-nna would have her share too. For her it was forever a story of today foot, tomorrow head, the day after neck, so much so that her mother many a time begged her to decide once and for all whether she was going to live or die. One thing Ma Blackie could not stand, she said over and over again, was a "living dead", an ogbanje.The Bride Price is set in Nigeria, and while the year is not explicitly defined, it is likely around 1960. Buchi Emecheta spent her youth in Nigeria, before moving to London at 18, in 1964. It is very unlikely that any aspect of this book is autobiographical, but at the same time Emecheta has woven a great deal of Nigerian culture into this brief novel, specifically culture as it applies to a young woman struggling to grasp her own agency in a distinctly patriarchal society.
The story here is compelling, and the characters are fully realized and sympathetic. Some of the writing is quite good, but the author at times reverts to an overly didactic, almost textbook, explanation of events and subtexts that weigh the narrative down, though much of this is contained in the first third or so of the novel. Due to this there is a great deal of information imparted, but it feels heavy handed. The latter portion of the book is more focused on Aku-nna's story, and is considerably the stronger portion of the book.
Overall this is a strong solid book, though weighed down by an over abundance of didactic cultural explanations, the overall whole is both moving and enlightening.
September 15, 2016
I look forward to reading more of Buchi Emecheta's works in the future even though this novel had some difficult and disturbing episodes.
When The Bride Price begins, Aku-nna the character which the story centers around, is a pretty, young, and fragile school girl living in Lagos, Nigeria with her parents and younger brother. It's the 1950s and things are changing in the city where people are blending both Western culture and their own traditions together. After her father's sudden death, Aku-nna's life changes. Following her dad's funeral her mother takes her and her brother back to the village. There Aku-nna sees her life begin to be stifled by severe traditional norms and superstition.
I liked how in the first quarter of the book Emecheta's writing begins in a lighthearted tone on though the tragedy of Aku-nna's father's death, but once Aku-nna's life is uprooted and transported to the village, the mood of the story becomes darker and more ominous moving forward to the conclusion.
When The Bride Price begins, Aku-nna the character which the story centers around, is a pretty, young, and fragile school girl living in Lagos, Nigeria with her parents and younger brother. It's the 1950s and things are changing in the city where people are blending both Western culture and their own traditions together. After her father's sudden death, Aku-nna's life changes. Following her dad's funeral her mother takes her and her brother back to the village. There Aku-nna sees her life begin to be stifled by severe traditional norms and superstition.
I liked how in the first quarter of the book Emecheta's writing begins in a lighthearted tone on though the tragedy of Aku-nna's father's death, but once Aku-nna's life is uprooted and transported to the village, the mood of the story becomes darker and more ominous moving forward to the conclusion.
May 15, 2014
3.5 stars if I could give half stars and I liked it enough to grab another book of hers called Double Yoke I saw at my library today. I like to go back into the past to a place I've never been but can see in my minds eye. Ibuza, a village of Ibo people with their customs and ways with many of their youth moving at that time to Lagos looking for work. I like to hear about the old customs and their new ways, how their worship of the ancestors mixes with Christianity to create a new altogether brilliant version of the Christian faith. I can see the people, the women with the vivid descriptions of the bright clothing they wear. I can feel the heat, the sun, can see the sun setting over the village and it's yam and cassava crops whilst I feel the crisp cool night air and the earth beneath my feet.
What will the next book bring to my minds eye?
What will the next book bring to my minds eye?
October 16, 2021
I’ll admit I hadn’t heard of Buchi Emecheta before searching for books published in 1976 for the #1976Club reading challenge but I’ve now discovered a writer whose back catalogue I’m interested to explore further. The Bride Price is set in Nigeria just before it gained independence in 1960. The story of Aku-nna highlights both the inferior position of woman at that time and the conflict between traditional African values and the influence of modern Europe.
When Aku-nna’s father dies, she and her mother and brother are ‘inherited’ by her father’s brother, since it is unthinkable for a woman to be the head of a family. ‘When you have lost your father, you have lost your parents. Your mother is only a woman, and women are supposed to be boneless. A fatherless family is a family without a head, a family without shelter, a family without parents, in fact a non-existing family. Such traditions do not change very much.’ The book describes in vivid detail the traditional mourning rites and ritual demonstrations of grief that follow a death.
It is difficult for most of us today to imagine a society in which women were regarded as little more than assets to be sold or purchased, and where ‘evening visits’ by young men that might involve touching young girls of the household in an intimate way were condoned. ‘In Ibuza, every young man was entitled to his fun. The blame usually went to the girls.‘ Or that young girls could expect to be married as young as fifteen or as soon as they began menstruating, often leading to death in childbirth.
When her uncle, whom she is now expected to regard as her father, learns of Aku-nna’s relationship with Chike, a teacher at her school, he intervenes in the most extreme way to try to prevent it. Not only does he wish to extract the maximum bride price because of Aku-nna’s educational achievements but he is determined she should not marry a man who is descended from slaves. Sadly, her mother, now her uncle’s fourth wife, does nothing to protect Aku-nna, despite the fact Chike has been supporting them financially.
The intensity of Aku-nna’s and Chike’s love for each other forces Aku-nna to choose between following her heart or adhering to the traditions of her people, including the belief that a woman whose bride price is unpaid will not only bring shame upon her family but death. The events that follow Aku-nna’s decision include periods of joy but they prove to be shortlived resulting in intensely moving scenes at the end of the book.
When Aku-nna’s father dies, she and her mother and brother are ‘inherited’ by her father’s brother, since it is unthinkable for a woman to be the head of a family. ‘When you have lost your father, you have lost your parents. Your mother is only a woman, and women are supposed to be boneless. A fatherless family is a family without a head, a family without shelter, a family without parents, in fact a non-existing family. Such traditions do not change very much.’ The book describes in vivid detail the traditional mourning rites and ritual demonstrations of grief that follow a death.
It is difficult for most of us today to imagine a society in which women were regarded as little more than assets to be sold or purchased, and where ‘evening visits’ by young men that might involve touching young girls of the household in an intimate way were condoned. ‘In Ibuza, every young man was entitled to his fun. The blame usually went to the girls.‘ Or that young girls could expect to be married as young as fifteen or as soon as they began menstruating, often leading to death in childbirth.
When her uncle, whom she is now expected to regard as her father, learns of Aku-nna’s relationship with Chike, a teacher at her school, he intervenes in the most extreme way to try to prevent it. Not only does he wish to extract the maximum bride price because of Aku-nna’s educational achievements but he is determined she should not marry a man who is descended from slaves. Sadly, her mother, now her uncle’s fourth wife, does nothing to protect Aku-nna, despite the fact Chike has been supporting them financially.
The intensity of Aku-nna’s and Chike’s love for each other forces Aku-nna to choose between following her heart or adhering to the traditions of her people, including the belief that a woman whose bride price is unpaid will not only bring shame upon her family but death. The events that follow Aku-nna’s decision include periods of joy but they prove to be shortlived resulting in intensely moving scenes at the end of the book.
April 17, 2021
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNxlRrbjfgQ/
“Preço de Noiva” de Buchi Emecheta foi traduzido para o português por Julia Dantas e é o livro mais recente da autora publicado no Brasil pela editora dublinense que me enviou uma cópia de cortesia.
O livro fez parte da leitura conjunta no leia mulheres jundiaí em fevereiro e rendeu uma discussão muito rica entre todas participantes.
Esse foi meu primeiro contato com a autora e eu estava preparada para o desconforto que sentiria durante a leitura, afinal, o tema central do enredo não é nem um pouco palatável e envolve uma série de variantes que fogem ao meu quotidiano e experiência de vida no meu privilégio de mulher branca que nasceu e vive na classe média brasileira.
A autora atingiu seu objetivo ao me fazer questionar toda a questão do papel da mulher na sociedade, não apenas naquela que ela apresenta no livro, mas na nossa também.
Outro ponto importante é sobre o casamento, arranjado/por amor. Ah, aqui o tom de conto de fadas à la irmãos Grimm vai te deixar devastado.
É o tipo de livro que gosto demais porque ao final da leitura, ele traz tantos questionamentos, que a lista de perguntas com “Mas e se…” é enorme, por isso, conversar sobre ele em um clube de leituras foi tão enriquecedor.
Eu ainda me incomodo um pouco com alguns aspectos do relacionamento Aku-nna e Chike, como o fato da idade em que se conheceram e da condição de fragilidade psicológica da garota naquele momento. Mais que isso, não posso falar para não dar spoiler. No entanto, entendo perfeitamente que diante da situação sócio-cultural, o que pode ser um incômodo muito grande para mim, pode ser natural para pessoas com vivências diferentes da minha.
Eu gostei demais da leitura, acho que o final poderia ter sido menos corrido, estou ansiosa para ler outras obras da autora!
“Preço de Noiva” de Buchi Emecheta foi traduzido para o português por Julia Dantas e é o livro mais recente da autora publicado no Brasil pela editora dublinense que me enviou uma cópia de cortesia.
O livro fez parte da leitura conjunta no leia mulheres jundiaí em fevereiro e rendeu uma discussão muito rica entre todas participantes.
Esse foi meu primeiro contato com a autora e eu estava preparada para o desconforto que sentiria durante a leitura, afinal, o tema central do enredo não é nem um pouco palatável e envolve uma série de variantes que fogem ao meu quotidiano e experiência de vida no meu privilégio de mulher branca que nasceu e vive na classe média brasileira.
A autora atingiu seu objetivo ao me fazer questionar toda a questão do papel da mulher na sociedade, não apenas naquela que ela apresenta no livro, mas na nossa também.
Outro ponto importante é sobre o casamento, arranjado/por amor. Ah, aqui o tom de conto de fadas à la irmãos Grimm vai te deixar devastado.
É o tipo de livro que gosto demais porque ao final da leitura, ele traz tantos questionamentos, que a lista de perguntas com “Mas e se…” é enorme, por isso, conversar sobre ele em um clube de leituras foi tão enriquecedor.
Eu ainda me incomodo um pouco com alguns aspectos do relacionamento Aku-nna e Chike, como o fato da idade em que se conheceram e da condição de fragilidade psicológica da garota naquele momento. Mais que isso, não posso falar para não dar spoiler. No entanto, entendo perfeitamente que diante da situação sócio-cultural, o que pode ser um incômodo muito grande para mim, pode ser natural para pessoas com vivências diferentes da minha.
Eu gostei demais da leitura, acho que o final poderia ter sido menos corrido, estou ansiosa para ler outras obras da autora!
August 30, 2018
This book started out with so much potential. However, the more I read, the more I began to see the story lacked character development and essentially seemed to go no where. With a topic such as domestic violence (which is an issue covered in this book), one hopes for an outlet for the character who encounters it. Several outlets are provided and never really explored... To be honest, several issues are presented and never really developed.
I was disappointed by this, because the book draws you in initially and then leaves the reader hanging.
If this book had a sequel I would probably bump it up to 3.5, but I can't justify a higher rating with the emptiness I felt after completing the novel.
In a positive note, it is a quick and easy read. If it were not for my busy schedule, I probably could have completed this book in 2-3 days.
I was disappointed by this, because the book draws you in initially and then leaves the reader hanging.
If this book had a sequel I would probably bump it up to 3.5, but I can't justify a higher rating with the emptiness I felt after completing the novel.
In a positive note, it is a quick and easy read. If it were not for my busy schedule, I probably could have completed this book in 2-3 days.
June 2, 2011
Having a daughter marry someone for a price is almost the same as selling her. According to the book, The Bride Price by Buchi Emecheta, Aku-nna, a young teenager, was forced to marry someone of her uncle, Okonkwo’s choice. Aku-nna fights fate and cultural customs to be with the one she desires. This story shows how females in a society must feel as if they are under the men. The readers learn about how in the African society, the males use women to benefit themselves, traditions play a big part in society, and how betraying your society’s rituals will result in a cursed death.
Aku-nna’s uncle, Okonkwo is in charge of Aku-nna’s life, and that includes who she has to marry. He gets to choose while she must follow his orders. “…Okonkwo was almost a father to her now… He wanted to be an Obi, so he needed more money. Aku-nna had to allowed to stay in school so that she could be married to rich man, from one of those newly prosperous families springing up like mushrooms all over Ibluza” (Emecheta 75). Aku-nna goes against her uncle’s will to marry her teacher and lover, Chike. Okonkwo wanted to become one of the rich men in his community; therefore he decided to keep Aku-nna in school so she could get more money for her bride price. He is selfish and is only doing these things for his own advantage. This can relate to how in society the men are superior to women and are able to be the one in charge. The idea of gender roles comes from ancient thoughts. It is passed on that men are stronger and more powerful than women; therefore Aku-nna’s society continues to carry on the concept of letting the man administrate the women.
During the story, “She could never return to Ibuza because she had committed an abomination. Some elders, however pointed out that as long as Okonkwo did not accept any bride price from the slave, the girl still belonged to Okoboshi for no one is his senses” (Emecheta 104). This passage from the novel shows how the traditions that are passed down from generation to generation teach that females must have her bride price paid in order to be with someone. If their bride price is not paid, it means she still belongs to the uncle and the man the uncles want her to get married with. The elder men in Aku-nna’s life would remind everyone else of how they must have the bride price paid to be with someone, or they are not considered to be married. This expresses how the practice of paying the bride prices carries on.
As it turns out this whole novel is a traditional story told by the people of Ibuza to teach young girls not to go against their family’s will. “Chike and Aku-nna substantiated the traditional superstition they had unknowingly set out to eradicate. Every girl born in Ibuza after Aku-nna’s death was told her story, to reinforce the old taboos of the land” (Emecheta 168). It is supposed to teach young females living in Ibuza how they must listen and obey their parents; if they don’t, they will be punished for not following the traditions.
The Bride Price demonstrates the idea of men being of a higher status than females, customs will continue to be passed on, and disagreement on traditions will have an effect on the future—whether it is negative or positive. Going against her uncle’s will to be married to a man that he disagrees with will result in bad endings. This leads back to the real world society and how it was supposed to be lead by traditions, and customs of a certain society. The manner of men being of greater status is hoarded by the males to restrain females from rebelling.
Aku-nna’s uncle, Okonkwo is in charge of Aku-nna’s life, and that includes who she has to marry. He gets to choose while she must follow his orders. “…Okonkwo was almost a father to her now… He wanted to be an Obi, so he needed more money. Aku-nna had to allowed to stay in school so that she could be married to rich man, from one of those newly prosperous families springing up like mushrooms all over Ibluza” (Emecheta 75). Aku-nna goes against her uncle’s will to marry her teacher and lover, Chike. Okonkwo wanted to become one of the rich men in his community; therefore he decided to keep Aku-nna in school so she could get more money for her bride price. He is selfish and is only doing these things for his own advantage. This can relate to how in society the men are superior to women and are able to be the one in charge. The idea of gender roles comes from ancient thoughts. It is passed on that men are stronger and more powerful than women; therefore Aku-nna’s society continues to carry on the concept of letting the man administrate the women.
During the story, “She could never return to Ibuza because she had committed an abomination. Some elders, however pointed out that as long as Okonkwo did not accept any bride price from the slave, the girl still belonged to Okoboshi for no one is his senses” (Emecheta 104). This passage from the novel shows how the traditions that are passed down from generation to generation teach that females must have her bride price paid in order to be with someone. If their bride price is not paid, it means she still belongs to the uncle and the man the uncles want her to get married with. The elder men in Aku-nna’s life would remind everyone else of how they must have the bride price paid to be with someone, or they are not considered to be married. This expresses how the practice of paying the bride prices carries on.
As it turns out this whole novel is a traditional story told by the people of Ibuza to teach young girls not to go against their family’s will. “Chike and Aku-nna substantiated the traditional superstition they had unknowingly set out to eradicate. Every girl born in Ibuza after Aku-nna’s death was told her story, to reinforce the old taboos of the land” (Emecheta 168). It is supposed to teach young females living in Ibuza how they must listen and obey their parents; if they don’t, they will be punished for not following the traditions.
The Bride Price demonstrates the idea of men being of a higher status than females, customs will continue to be passed on, and disagreement on traditions will have an effect on the future—whether it is negative or positive. Going against her uncle’s will to be married to a man that he disagrees with will result in bad endings. This leads back to the real world society and how it was supposed to be lead by traditions, and customs of a certain society. The manner of men being of greater status is hoarded by the males to restrain females from rebelling.
July 17, 2021
To suffer because you are a woman.
What a shame!
What a shame!
Read
October 27, 20233.5 stars rounded up (weakened by it's later chapters)
Recently, someone erroneously tweeted that Buchi Emecheta was the kind of feminist who knew her place, i.e, the best kind. They must not have read this book or any of her books. Buchi was -vehemently- dissatisfied with the treatment of women and made this evident in her work. Including this one: The dry wit of the narrator as 'she' mocked certain customs and traditions can only be interpreted as the author's distaste.
The third person omniscient narrative voice was an excellent choice. It helped the storytelling along beautifully, was funny and clear cut in it's stance (the writer's stance)
This book also had one of the best first chapters I've read recently. Additionally, the chapters' titles and organization were excellent.
I'm working my way through all of Buchi's work. The sad endings do not make this an easy task but I'm quite excited for the next one.
Recently, someone erroneously tweeted that Buchi Emecheta was the kind of feminist who knew her place, i.e, the best kind. They must not have read this book or any of her books. Buchi was -vehemently- dissatisfied with the treatment of women and made this evident in her work. Including this one: The dry wit of the narrator as 'she' mocked certain customs and traditions can only be interpreted as the author's distaste.
The third person omniscient narrative voice was an excellent choice. It helped the storytelling along beautifully, was funny and clear cut in it's stance (the writer's stance)
This book also had one of the best first chapters I've read recently. Additionally, the chapters' titles and organization were excellent.
I'm working my way through all of Buchi's work. The sad endings do not make this an easy task but I'm quite excited for the next one.
April 13, 2018
Not one of her best works I must say. The storyline was a bit forced but I liked how it subtly critiqued
*Child marriages
*Girls dying in child labour
*Traditionally/society sanctioned kidnappings as a form of legal marriage.
*Widow inheritance
*Education of the girl child verses the boy child.
*The whole concept of bride price (tradition disguised by greed)
*Effects of slavery (ostracized)
*Colonialism
*violence against women.
Buchi was clearly aiming a few shots at certain actions condoned and committed in the name of culture. The message was clear despite the tale failing short of a few things.
*Child marriages
*Girls dying in child labour
*Traditionally/society sanctioned kidnappings as a form of legal marriage.
*Widow inheritance
*Education of the girl child verses the boy child.
*The whole concept of bride price (tradition disguised by greed)
*Effects of slavery (ostracized)
*Colonialism
*violence against women.
Buchi was clearly aiming a few shots at certain actions condoned and committed in the name of culture. The message was clear despite the tale failing short of a few things.
June 5, 2025
Y'all, Buchi Emecheta might just end up being my favourite Nigerian author.
The book starts off as a sequel to "The Joy of Motherhood"(one of her books) but in another family's perspective, telling what happened to this particular family after their father returned from the war.
I have so much to say about this book. lol, I always have so much to say after reading a well written book.
Like, who names a bed? 😂
I'm trying so hard not to spoil the book, y'all.
But I gotta say this...
You see that part where Akunna said...| " I love you, Chike, please teach me how to give you JOY".|
I literally let out a shriek of excitement
And as I read further I saw the whole "HOW TO GIVE YOU JOY" thing and it began to make sense to me... Akunna literally gave Chike 'Joy' right from the first day he met her. Chic turned Mr. Casanova into a Soft Lover Boy.
The book literally ended with JOY 🥲
Those who have read the book know what I mean.
Happy reading, I recommend 🤗
The fact that this is the book her husband burnt does something to me I can't explain.
The book starts off as a sequel to "The Joy of Motherhood"(one of her books) but in another family's perspective, telling what happened to this particular family after their father returned from the war.
I have so much to say about this book. lol, I always have so much to say after reading a well written book.
Like, who names a bed? 😂
I'm trying so hard not to spoil the book, y'all.
But I gotta say this...
You see that part where Akunna said...| " I love you, Chike, please teach me how to give you JOY".|
I literally let out a shriek of excitement
And as I read further I saw the whole "HOW TO GIVE YOU JOY" thing and it began to make sense to me... Akunna literally gave Chike 'Joy' right from the first day he met her. Chic turned Mr. Casanova into a Soft Lover Boy.
The book literally ended with JOY 🥲
Those who have read the book know what I mean.
Happy reading, I recommend 🤗
The fact that this is the book her husband burnt does something to me I can't explain.
Read
July 7, 2020You don't have to look further than the title to understand that Emecheta is working with a meaningful premise. At the risk of sounding hackneyed, reading a novel about another culture is a powerful vehicle for understanding another place and time. I could not help comparing this novel to The Joys of Motherhood, which I preferred. There were moments, especially early on, where the prose would specify that a particular practice was unique to Nigeria and it was distracting from the immersive experience of living with these characters. Still really appreciate what Emecheta has done to record a way of life. She makes the cost of female oppression very clear. She must have been a most extraordinary person to write so many novels while working as a social worker and raising four children.
August 4, 2024
3,75 ⭐️
December 8, 2022
Liked this one but didn't love it nearly as much as The Joys of Motherhood and Second Class Citizen, which are excellent compared to this one.
March 18, 2024
An interesting look at a particularly hard to understand aspect of Ibo culture. The book has a strong narrative theme and point. Yet falters in pacing and the overall goal of the characters. At points it seems as though the course of book is forgotten.
November 30, 2009
1. The bride price, a fee that is traditionally paid by the prospective husband's family for the prospective wife, is a theme that the author wanted to focus on it. This book reminds me many Turkish movies and stories because bride price is a huge and famous problem in many parts of Turkey especially in east part of Turkey.
First, in this book, a woman lost her husband and she has to marriage with her husband’s brother. This is a common event in east part of Turkey, and I think it is unacceptable for both woman and man because people are supposed to see their brother’s wife as a sister. On the other hand, children cannot confess this situation, their mother and uncle are married. I have a friend whose sister is forced to marriage with her husband’s brother; however, she is in thirties and he is in sixties. She is very unhappy and she is the third wife of this man.
Second, in this book, although the girl love the boy, her father or uncle does not let her to marriage with him because of bride price. Like in Turkey, they see the girls as a credit. Obviously, they try to sell their daughter. It is a shame. Girls do not have any right to decide their life. If a boy do not have enough money to take his lover, her family never give her to him, so the lovers try to run away their family and they immigrate another city.
In Turkey, we have lots of story like this story. They do not have any differences. In all stories, fathers want to more money and force their daughter to marriage with who she does not love. Of course, some people cannot achieve to escape and unfortunately they still live in unwanted life.
14. The author wrote this story because she wanted to point on a common problem that many people have. Like many authors, she tried to show this problem to whole world and definitely she wanted to solve this problem. Books and movies are very useful to introduce and indicate social problems. Probably she saw some problems in her society and she decided to write this story. I think she got characters from her society because as we have seen this story Nigeria has lots of people who have these problems. She tried to share that message; especially bride price is very wrong tradition and her society also has many wrong traditions and people should try to change this system.
First, in this book, a woman lost her husband and she has to marriage with her husband’s brother. This is a common event in east part of Turkey, and I think it is unacceptable for both woman and man because people are supposed to see their brother’s wife as a sister. On the other hand, children cannot confess this situation, their mother and uncle are married. I have a friend whose sister is forced to marriage with her husband’s brother; however, she is in thirties and he is in sixties. She is very unhappy and she is the third wife of this man.
Second, in this book, although the girl love the boy, her father or uncle does not let her to marriage with him because of bride price. Like in Turkey, they see the girls as a credit. Obviously, they try to sell their daughter. It is a shame. Girls do not have any right to decide their life. If a boy do not have enough money to take his lover, her family never give her to him, so the lovers try to run away their family and they immigrate another city.
In Turkey, we have lots of story like this story. They do not have any differences. In all stories, fathers want to more money and force their daughter to marriage with who she does not love. Of course, some people cannot achieve to escape and unfortunately they still live in unwanted life.
14. The author wrote this story because she wanted to point on a common problem that many people have. Like many authors, she tried to show this problem to whole world and definitely she wanted to solve this problem. Books and movies are very useful to introduce and indicate social problems. Probably she saw some problems in her society and she decided to write this story. I think she got characters from her society because as we have seen this story Nigeria has lots of people who have these problems. She tried to share that message; especially bride price is very wrong tradition and her society also has many wrong traditions and people should try to change this system.
January 20, 2018
Review originally written for my blog
So, this is the second of Buchi Emecheta’s books that I’ve now read and this one was also fantastic. It’s set during the 50’s in Nigeria starting in Lagos then moving to Ibuza and looks at the customs surrounding marriage.
The book starts with the death of Aku-nna’s father due to an foot injury he sustained during the war. This means that his family can no longer afford to live in Lagos and so they all return to Ibuza to life with her uncle. Aku-nna and her brother Nna-nndo both continue their education at school as it is believed that the more educated Aku-nna is, the higher a bride price will be paid for her. However, while waiting for her to begin menstruating and thus be old enough for marriage, Aku-nna falls in love and is determined to marry the man she loves despite the opposition from her family.
I really enjoyed this book and watching Aku-nna as she grew and dealt with the issues in her life. It was a very interesting look at the cultural practices and beliefs of the people of Ibuza and the effects that had on the people of the area.
Again, I would definitely recommend this book to learn more about what was life in 50’s Nigeria for young women in Ibuza. Again, it had a very powerful ending and definitely left a strong impact on me.
So, this is the second of Buchi Emecheta’s books that I’ve now read and this one was also fantastic. It’s set during the 50’s in Nigeria starting in Lagos then moving to Ibuza and looks at the customs surrounding marriage.
The book starts with the death of Aku-nna’s father due to an foot injury he sustained during the war. This means that his family can no longer afford to live in Lagos and so they all return to Ibuza to life with her uncle. Aku-nna and her brother Nna-nndo both continue their education at school as it is believed that the more educated Aku-nna is, the higher a bride price will be paid for her. However, while waiting for her to begin menstruating and thus be old enough for marriage, Aku-nna falls in love and is determined to marry the man she loves despite the opposition from her family.
I really enjoyed this book and watching Aku-nna as she grew and dealt with the issues in her life. It was a very interesting look at the cultural practices and beliefs of the people of Ibuza and the effects that had on the people of the area.
Again, I would definitely recommend this book to learn more about what was life in 50’s Nigeria for young women in Ibuza. Again, it had a very powerful ending and definitely left a strong impact on me.
March 11, 2017
This is also a heart breaking story from Buchi Emecheta, actually from her own experience of agony she faced and she expected her own life to be happy but it was not. In first place she wrote the story with happy ending but after her husband burned her story, she wrote again with a heart breaking epilogue.
I really cried in the last chapter. It is odd that it ends like this. Of course, Aku-nna died because of malnutrition while giving childbirth. But her story was spread as superstitions to fetch the bride price and to create a rule that the girl should marry a man who is selected by girl's people. But it should have spread against the child marriage (she married in her 15th). Actually first wrong thing is one other person who she did not love kidnapped her and married forcefully but luckily she did not present her virginity for him and eloped with Chike the next day. Second wrong thing is although Chike thought not to marry her in her early age before she was kidnapped, he married her because she was kidnapped. After they eloped, he totally did not consider that she's too young to give childbirth. Although I liked Chike because he loved her purely, I hate him because he gave her the death during childbirth.
I really cried in the last chapter. It is odd that it ends like this. Of course, Aku-nna died because of malnutrition while giving childbirth. But her story was spread as superstitions to fetch the bride price and to create a rule that the girl should marry a man who is selected by girl's people. But it should have spread against the child marriage (she married in her 15th). Actually first wrong thing is one other person who she did not love kidnapped her and married forcefully but luckily she did not present her virginity for him and eloped with Chike the next day. Second wrong thing is although Chike thought not to marry her in her early age before she was kidnapped, he married her because she was kidnapped. After they eloped, he totally did not consider that she's too young to give childbirth. Although I liked Chike because he loved her purely, I hate him because he gave her the death during childbirth.
April 22, 2012
This book is a about a traditional young ibo girl named Aku-nna living in Nigeria. Her family is very traditional so she follows all rituals and beliefs. Unfortuanetly this young girl faced the tragedy of losing her father who is the head of the family at a young age. She was very close with him and thsi was a traumatizing experience for her because she was forced to move out of the town she has lived in her whole life to live with her cousins. Her mother is forced to marry her uncle because it is a tradition that the eldest brother is allowed to take his deceased brother's wife and family as his own. He doesn't really love them all we wants is Aku-nna's brideprice. It doesn't matter about love to a lot of people a lot of men all they care about is the man with largest offer for their daughter's brideprice. Aku-nna finds true love with Chike but he is of slave descendants so her uncle will not allow the marriage. So they elope and there is a superstition in their culture that claims if your husband does not pay the brideprice you will die in child labor and sadly this is what happens. This book was so sad but a very interesting book I liked it.
November 13, 2018
What a beautiful yet heartbreaking story... It shows me how love must be cherished and valued above all of the old traditions and out-of-date customs that cause nothing but pain and sorrows, that try to keep two lovers apart. I just wish both the main characters had had more time to grow up and to be more mature before they can finally settle down with each other. But sadly, in that time and under that situation, time was a luxury that both of them couldn't have much...
And the status of women in a world dominated by men... The same old issue but I believe still exists not only in that time, but also in this time... We need more stories like this to raise more awareness of how lucky we are to be free to love whoever our hearts choose, and also to know that there might be many young girls out there who may not have what we have, who may be going through a fight to remain independent from dominating men and to freely love the ones they love.
And the status of women in a world dominated by men... The same old issue but I believe still exists not only in that time, but also in this time... We need more stories like this to raise more awareness of how lucky we are to be free to love whoever our hearts choose, and also to know that there might be many young girls out there who may not have what we have, who may be going through a fight to remain independent from dominating men and to freely love the ones they love.
January 25, 2010
The Bride Price the protagonist, Aku-nna who lives in this period of time followed these old traditions and wasn’t able to make her own decision on her own marriage. “Aku-nna on her part was determined not to let her father down. She was going to marry well, a rich man of whom her father would approve and who wouldn’t be able to afford an expensive bride price” (Emecheta, 10). This quote clearly explains that young women are determined to marry someone rich, so they can afford expensive bride price to his father even if the bride, herself never meet or love that man. Though some are determined, Aku-nna then realizes that she can’t live in a life where she is being puppet around and made her own decisions.
June 27, 2020
I really thought the author captured the relationships, the cultural dilemma, the "feel" of Nigeria in this book. As an outsider with a bit of insider understanding after living there, it was fun to catch certain references and nod knowingly. The characters were enjoyable and the plot interesting. Even with the somewhat predictable ending, it was worth the read.
June 22, 2021
Tinha lido só os 4 primeiros capítulos há um tempo, hoje peguei de volta e não parei até terminar. Gostei muito mais desse livro do que de As Alegrias da Maternidade, mas a escrita da Emecheta ainda não é das minhas preferidas. De novo, as discussões que aparecem sobre modernidade e tradição são muito interessantes, e aqui sinto que a autora mostrou mais de Ibuza. Como sempre, é doloroso no fim.
July 23, 2017
The book is very interesting with various views of female power in a traditional society in particular, but if you have the edition with Marie Umeh's foreword, it really should be an afterword - it summarises the entire plot including the very ending.
May 9, 2009
This story is one of my personal favorite. From this story, I learn about African culture and many others.
July 28, 2014
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I enjoyed it more towards the end! Great, great novel. Sad. But very great.
I enjoyed it more towards the end! Great, great novel. Sad. But very great.
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