His Only Wife - Peace Adzo Medie

Description

In one of the most talked about and hilarious debuts of the year, Afi Tekple, a bright young seamstress from a small town in Ghana, is convinced by her family to marry a man she has never met.

Elikem Ganyo is a wealthy businessman whose family has chosen Afi in the hope that she will distract him from a relationship with another woman they think is inappropriate.

The fact that she doesn't know Elikem seems a small price to pay for a marriage that offers her family financial security and provides the key to a lifestyle she has always wanted. But when Afi arrives in Accra, Ghana's gleaming capital, she realises her fairy-tale ending might not be all she had hoped for...

His Only Wife is a life-affirming, must-read novel about a young woman's search for independence in a man's world, and the rules she just might have to break along the way.

Review

A very different and interesting read. One of the great things about this book for me was learning about the culture and traditions of Ghana.

Afi marries a man (Elikem) she's never met, not even at her wedding! It's also a few weeks before she does get to meet him while she waits in a flat he has moved her into. But Afi wants to be in the marital home but that is already occupied by another woman, and Elikem's child.

Whilst there is a very strong matriarchal character in this book, who does all the wheeling and dealing, it was sad to still read all of the inequality. I'm not sure what the "hilarious" on the cover of the book refers to as I found it rather sad more than funny. I was happy to read along until we find out what would become of Afi and if she ever gets her husband to herself.

About two thirds through the book there was a really well written scene that I just had to read over. I wasn't expecting it and the surprise felt by the characters in the book rippled through the pages.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to the readingagency.org.uk for a copy of this book to read with my library book group.

Comments

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