Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
Author of Stay with Me
About the Author
Image credit: Ventures Africa
Works by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
Associated Works
New Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Writing by Women of African Descent (2019) — Contributor — 91 copies, 1 review
Of This Our Country: Acclaimed Nigerian Writers on the Home, Identity, and Culture They Know (2021) — Contributor — 16 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1988-01-29
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- Nigeria
- Birthplace
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Education
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
- Relationships
- Iduma, Emmanuel (husband)
- Short biography
- Ayobami Adebayo was born in Lagos, Nigeria, shortly after, her family moved to Ilesa and then to Ile-Ife, where she spent most of her childhood in the University Staff Quarters of Obafemi Awolowo University.[2][3] She studied at Obafemi Awolowo University, earning BA and MA degrees in Literature in English, and in 2014 she went to study Creative Writing (MA Prose fiction) at the University of East Anglia, where she was awarded an International Bursary.[4][5] She has also studied with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Margaret Atwood.Adebayo has been a writer in residence at Ledig House Omi, Hedgebrook, Sinthian Cultural Institute, Ox-Bow School of Art, Siena Art Institute, and Ebedi Hills.[17][18] She was shortlisted for the Miles Morland Scholarship in 2014 and 2015
Members
Reviews
This is probably an excellent book-- all the reviews and ratings would indicate this is the case. The audio version is incomprehensible. I have listened to other Nigerian books and usually love the accent but these two readers were not doing it for me. I had to focus so hard on the words I couldn't enjoy the story. Gave up at 25% way though.
This story is about a young Nigerian couple who desperately want children and the lengths they will go to make it happen. I know many women are consumed by wanting to be a mother and this book makes me relieved that I am not one of them.
Recommended but this one is quite sad so pick it up with that in mind.
Recommended but this one is quite sad so pick it up with that in mind.
This is set in an unidentifed city in modern Nigeria.
Eniola is the eldest child in a family thrust into poverty when his educated father, a history teacher, was the subject of an educational purge when the ruling regime declared that history was a non-essential subject and removed from schools’ curricula. Now his father is too depressed to move from his bed; and his mother is struggling. Eniola, who had dreamed of a good school and a secondary education and his sister cannot pay their school fees even at the minimal public school they attend. Kids whose fees are in arrears are humiliated and beaten. The family chooses to pay Eniola’s sisters’ fees as she seems to have more promise. Eniola is apprenticed to a tailor, but he cannot afford the apprenticeship fees for that, either.
On the other side of the economic divide, lives Wuraola, a doctor to be from a well connected family. She is engaged to a man whose future also looks bright.
As the author says, ““real wealth was intergenerational, and the way Nigeria was set up, your parentage would often matter more than your qualifications. “ 148
But the wheel of fate turns, when Eniola is convinced by his friends to do a few favors for a boss man in exchange for food and money for his family. It seems a heaven-sent opportunity.
Wuraola’s fate also changes – her fiancé begins beating her. In addition, her father is asked to run for political office against a corrupt politician.
Both families’ fates are affected by the boss man and his corrosive political power.
The phrase “A spell of good things” can be a string of lucky events, but can also be ironically bitter about what the future holds after the good events vanish into thin air.
It’s an intriguing look at current Nigeria, and peopled with characters I really cared about.… (more)
Eniola is the eldest child in a family thrust into poverty when his educated father, a history teacher, was the subject of an educational purge when the ruling regime declared that history was a non-essential subject and removed from schools’ curricula. Now his father is too depressed to move from his bed; and his mother is struggling. Eniola, who had dreamed of a good school and a secondary education and his sister cannot pay their school fees even at the minimal public school they attend. Kids whose fees are in arrears are humiliated and beaten. The family chooses to pay Eniola’s sisters’ fees as she seems to have more promise. Eniola is apprenticed to a tailor, but he cannot afford the apprenticeship fees for that, either.
On the other side of the economic divide, lives Wuraola, a doctor to be from a well connected family. She is engaged to a man whose future also looks bright.
As the author says, ““real wealth was intergenerational, and the way Nigeria was set up, your parentage would often matter more than your qualifications. “ 148
But the wheel of fate turns, when Eniola is convinced by his friends to do a few favors for a boss man in exchange for food and money for his family. It seems a heaven-sent opportunity.
Wuraola’s fate also changes – her fiancé begins beating her. In addition, her father is asked to run for political office against a corrupt politician.
Both families’ fates are affected by the boss man and his corrosive political power.
The phrase “A spell of good things” can be a string of lucky events, but can also be ironically bitter about what the future holds after the good events vanish into thin air.
It’s an intriguing look at current Nigeria, and peopled with characters I really cared about.… (more)
Lists
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 4
- Also by
- 4
- Members
- 1,514
- Popularity
- #16,987
- Rating
- 4.2
- Reviews
- 80
- ISBNs
- 56
- Languages
- 12
Akin and Yejide met at the University of Lagos and fell deeply in love. Their marriage is a happy one, until it becomes obvious that Yejide is unlikely to conceive a child, and his family finds a second wife for Akin. Both Akin's acceptance of his second wife and Yejide's rage and hurt at what she sees as Akin's betrayal fill in much of the main story. Yejide does get pregnant, but in a way that no one can condone. The novel delves out tragedy after tragedy; it is not a happy book.
There were things that I simply didn't understand: the way that West African polygamy operates; funeral etiquette that dictates that the parents cannot attend the funeral of a child, nor know where their child is buried; the structure of a Nigerian extended family and its obligations. I would have had a fuller, richer experience reading this book were I Nigerian or a student of Nigerian traditions. That is not the fault of the author, but my own.
I liked the book overall, but it is unlikely to be one that I find memorable.… (more)