Adanna by Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi

Now and then I read a book I can’t put down, not just because I’m captivated by it but because I’m like WTF did I just read? I recommended this book once before, but that was because the person specifically requested books that were heavy and traumatic. I usually have really strong opinions about the role of trauma in literature (post coming soon), where I believe it has to be handled and presented with care. Therefore I don’t tend to recommend those kinds of books. However, when it comes to Nigerian authors, especially new age ones, there are certain patterns you just have to accept—one being their tendency to terrorize their female characters just as relentlessly as Nigeria itself does. Adesuwa put us through it with this book, to the point that at every chapter I thought, ‘What the actual hell is going on here?

Now, I won’t lie—this book had me. I stayed up all night to finish it because, honestly, if I had put it down and let myself reflect, I’m not entirely sure I would have picked it back up again.

I wouldn’t call this story completely unbelievable – as that would disregard the painful reality so many women, especially within my own culture, have lived. But as a thriller, it leans into the unbelievable just enough to keep the reader engaged. And trust me, it definitely kept me hooked. This book was TRAGIC!

Quick Synopsis

This book follows Adanna, a beautiful (a point the book makes very clear) young woman who is married off to a man three times her age. After enduring two decades of relentless abuse—detailed in excruciating flashbacks—she and the rest of the household (his children and various carers) wake up to find her husband, Chief Arinze Nsofor, murdered. With everything to gain from his death, Adanna quickly becomes a prime suspect, and we are thrust into their gruesome history.

What Shocked Me?

I don’t want to give too much away but nothing was more shocking than the PLOT itself. I know and understand that horrible things happen, especially in societies like this one that are built on the subjugation of women. A woman’s fortune and value is often tied to the men in her life, whether that is a father, husband, or even a brother. However, this girl could not catch a break!! My God! I could even go as far as saying Adanna was simply a vessel created by the author for all kinds to be enacted where things outside of her control keep happening, and at some point the magnitude of the abuse made me pause and think surely it’s enough now. This was likely part of the larger message as it does aptly capture the reality of many Nigerian women, however, it starts to feel like too much of a spectacle rather than an authentic story of a very real experience.

To make matters worse, while one would believe that no person can go through all this and come out unaffected, somehow Adanna largely does! We could say that the effect of the abuse on her is a bit more nuanced as she has issues with sleep walking, which could be considered a trauma response. However, we don’t really get to see how the abuse shapes Adanna in any other substantial way, she is aware of what is happening to her, but never fully internalises the severity. Despite her circumstances—and the danger she brings to herself and those around her—Adanna constantly seeks peace and love in the hands of others. While I want to admire her tenacity in escaping her reality, it often feels frustratingly naive, even reckless. One would think her experiences—especially given the untimely fate of all her love interests—would shape the way she interacts with men, but it doesn’t and that in itself is worrying. 

As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly outlandish, with the plot spiralling a bit toward the end. In order to wrap up what can only be described as psychological warfare, Adesuwa introduces some very unexpected themes. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any wilder, the narrative takes a sharp turn into the realm of incest—and that’s where she completely loses me.

My Reaction

When I think of other books that have had my mouth wide open like this, Verity springs to mind. They both employ the same shock factor. Adanna is at all times distressing, at most times extreme, and sometimes outlandish. The thing that shocked me the most is the ease at which majorly dark and disturbing things just happen. Adesua’s writing style is very light and easy, so one isn’t prepared for the things that occur on the page. There is no lead up – things just happen and you’re left shocked, thinking, hold on…what?  The book goes from 0 to 100 so quickly and stays there for the rest of the book. 

On top of that, when it comes to the concluding stories that have dark and twisted characters, I don’t believe in death being a punishment, in fact I consider it an easy way out. There were one too many of those in this book. Evil characters being let off lightly without any vindication for their crimes. They simply just die and I’m not okay with that. I need more, a destruction of reputation, loss of freedom, I need them to suffer just a little bit for their actions, and they don’t. Death is far too convenient a punishment for the severity of the atrocities committed. 

The only upside is that she gets a somewhat happy ending—though even that feels unconvincing. After enduring so much degradation at the hands of men, her happiness is still tied to one, when it should have been about reclaiming her freedom from the grips of oppression. While this feels a bit unrealistic to me, truth be told some women never escape the clutches of the patriarchy even with such brutal experiences. Despite this, I wanted better for her.

All in all, I can never get behind using just shock factor to entice a reader. It feels like a cop out and usually highlights an average writing ability. However, as someone who has read and enjoyed several of Adesuwa’s books, I am neither shocked nor surprised by this. .

Final Verdict 

I can’t necessarily say I enjoyed this book as I wouldn’t peg this as a positive experience, but then again, not all books are meant to make you feel good. This book definitely stayed with me long after I finished reading it and I had to pick up something light just to purge myself of the intense emotions it evoked. If you do decide to read it, proceed with caution. 

I give it a generous

If you have read the book, do let me know your thoughts. 

Thank you for reading this review!

Until next time,

Signed,

A Mo-tivated Reader ☺️

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