First I apologise to the author – I am not able to replicate the diacritics required for the names in the Nigerian languages.
This is a brave novel by any standards. Gripping as a narrative and rather terrifying in its exposure of Nigerian society. Ayobami Adelbayo (and if you look at the cover you will see what I mean about diacritics) has chosen to place her story in a contemporary city. Two families so far apart in status and wealth, that you would think their lives could never touch each other, are linked by a violent event.
A Spell of Good Things covers two main themes: the extremity of poverty as it touches upon the life of Eniola and his sister, Busola. Their father has been unemployed ever since the education system was reorganised and thousands of teachers were made redundant at a stroke. Ever since then, the family have been unable to pay for the most ordinary things, food, rent and the school fees. The mother has sold everything she can, and they are reduced to begging. The other theme is that of wealth and politics and how they are inextricably combined. This family we meet mostly through the daughter, a doctor who is working through her residency. Her elder brother has decided not to follow his medical training, but to pursue a different career as a newscaster, a profession that his parents disregard.
An example of the distinct bravery of this book is its casual exposure of endemic corruption, bribery and violence. In an early scene, Wuraola’s father is approached by his friend Professor Coker for support in his political campaign. Otumba refuses, explaining that he has been supporting the other candidate for years, and for business reasons cannot change sides now as he will lose all the lucrative contracts that he has benefitted from, through that financial arrangement.
However, the Fates have other ideas. The narrative arc forces the reader to consider all the options available to these characters in this highly stratified and ceremonial society. The elders live with a code in which status and birth are of paramount importance, but as anything can happen, the wives would be wise to prepare for the worst – hence the hoarding of gold jewellery against a rainy day.
There are many words that describe dress, food and family relationships which are in (I think) Yoruba; whole phrases are not translated, though one can roughly guess the meanings. Lengthy discussions of colours and materials to be selected for important events are fascinating, and one would benefit from a short glossary because many of the items of clothing are quite unique and cannot be guessed at. I would love to know what some of the meals that are described were made up of.
This is a breathtaking piece of writing, an unputdownable novel. The writing has pace, wisdom and compassion but does not shrink from the truth, whether in the personal, professional or political relationships that grind out the trajectory of this extraordinary book.
deborahjs 