Book Review by Eileen Omosa

Book: Stay with Me

Author: Ayobami Adebayo

Reading the book has implanted a lifelong question in my mind.

Is society failing men by putting too much pressure on women? For example, by society focusing more on a woman in a marriage, does it give her more openings to seek a remedy, better herself? On the other hand, by society NOT laying any blame on men, does that leave them with no outlet for their anger or search for a solution?

Looking to connect with local readers and writers, I joined the Text Book Center Book Club, Nairobi. Once I opened the first page of the book, there was no way I could put it down, and I have reasons for that.

Ayobami has a unique way to mound regular individuals into memorable characters. Further, the author uses flashbacks and vivid descriptions of day to day activities of ordinary people in Nigeria and other events at the community and national level to create clear images in the readers mind.

The book is a page-turner whereby Ayobami captured my attention through her use of suspense. Each time I wanted to stop at the end of a page or chapter, the author gave me reason to open the next page or start the next chapter.

After reading the last page, I was more than ready to attend the book club session, eager to hear what the other readers had to say about the many questions racing through my mind:

• Why did Akin and Yejide find it so hard to discuss or even shout at one another about the issues disturbing them? How much can a human being house in their heart?

• What is the role of society in decisions made by individuals or families? Is there a perfect way of life on earth?

• How much choice or leeway are individuals left with once they choose to be members of a community, society?

• Perfectionism: is life all about everyone trying to perfect what makes them happy, irrespective of the tears their choice will bring to another?

• After how much suffering are individuals expected to resort to science or culture to solve a medical challenge?

• Why can’t the medical doctors explain to Yejide and Akin on what Sickle Cell disease is, causes, and the relationship that has with their children? Or are the medical doctors themselves bewildered between science and cultural beliefs and practices?

• What is the role of society in decisions made by individuals?

Whichever lens you decide to use as you read Stay with Me, the book has a lot to offer. The only roadblock you will need to overcome is separating flashbacks from the current story. Continue reading even after you encounter a point in the book which feels like the end, it restarts on the next page and picks up speed.

The reason I will not divulge into any details on content is because I want you to go read the book.

Until my next book, go read a book, any book.

Blog first published, January 17th 2018