Genre: Fiction
Pages: 352 pages
Author: Bisi Ajapon, Nigerian
Setting: Ghana, Nigeria
Themes: Adolescence, Family, Love, Pre and Post colonialism
Oh my!
The first book that made me laugh as much as Bisi’s book did, was Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.
The rawness and candour with which Bisi portrays her characters is remarkable. I listened to the audiobook version of this, and I loved it!
Essie, a feisty Ghanian-Nigerian girl caught in the shambles of growing up in an extended family with a promiscuous father, narrates the details of her hilarious, yet sad life.
Witnessing the ails of her older sisters and working hard to break the stereotype that women were born for marriage and household duties, Essie joins the University to pursue medicine in the height of Ghana’s revolution. Bisi uses a lot of ‘inner voice’ reflections in Essie’s character to reveal her deepest thoughts, disapprovals and feelings which draws the reader into the book. (We all know those things we say in our heads for nobody to hear *wink*)
I love that Bisi so candidly speaks to the struggles of adolescent girls discovering their bodies and desires in this book. Through secondary school and relationships, Essie explores the depth of her yearnings and their perks. The story unravels quite beautifully in the end.
Bisi explores the themes of love, loss, cross culture and family to write this brilliant book.
I’d recommend it 100% if you’re looking for a humorous yet enlightening read this season.
Cheers.