We're All In Dependence...

You know that phase as a book lover growing up when you were thirsty for anything and everything books? I wolfed down books for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. History, Art, Psychology, Crime, Mystery, Romance, Metaphysics, The Supernatural...I was thirsty and couldn’t get enough. It was in that phase of mine that I stumbled on this book, and even with its seemingly boring cover (because yeah, we do judge books by their cover over here), I read this book, and let’s just say, it was a whirlwind of emotions.

In Dependence by Sarah Ladipo Manyika

Originally released in 2008, In Dependence tells the story of Tayo in the early 1960s, shortly after Nigeria’s independence, who got a scholarship to study in Oxford University. Soon after his arrival, he has a brief relationship with Christine, a fellow Nigerian, then he meets Vanessa, the daughter of an ex-colonial officer, and that’s where our love story truly starts.

Filled with the strength of one who already sees a bright future ahead of him, Tayo navigates his life in a quest to discover his true identity, coupled with politics, domestic independence, cultural upheavals, and of course, the burning fire of love and its intricacies. How possible it is to excel in one sphere, while completely botching up other vital spheres? Tayo and Vanessa tell us a bittersweet story.

My Thoughts and Rating

You know I was telling my Hive Bookies in our last hang out that it was only at my second or third time reading this book that I discovered the name to be In Dependence and not Independence. (Yeah, I could be oblivious like that), but discovering this totally crystallized that third reading experience for me because a lot of things made more sense. Shout out to Sarah Manyika for that artistic play on words, by the way. The book was already forty percent a success from that title alone.

Then, let’s move onto main leads that just leave you disgruntled every step of the way. I haven’t seen many protagonists who so thoroughly made wrong decisions like Tayo did, especially when it came to his love life. He just had this irksome knack for failing all the women in his life, and it was nearly impossible to root for him when he constantly did such a fine job at it. From his girlfriend in Ibadan, to Christine (Oh, Christine), and to Vanessa. It was painful seeing how royally he made a mess of things that could have been beautiful. And on that note, can I just say, don’t we fight for love anymore? Why was everything accepted and taken in stride?

This books spans four decades, from 1963 to 1998, precisely, and delves into pretty intense themes. From post colonialism to the struggles attained with new found independence, race and racism, military and civilian rule, quest for identity and the longing to belong, betrayal and deceit, the list is endless. You’re sucked into this whirlpool of deep themes, so much so, that it feels overwhelming at times. The political discussions were insightful, but a lot. And I think that’s what distinguishes this book from your regular romance novel. Romance and love was the borderline for everything, but in the midst of all of that, you had themes that developed full-blown lives of their own.

In Dependence, as the name suggests deals with more than just post independent Nigeria, it talks about all the other dependencies. On family, on love, and on culture and acceptance. I rate this book a good 4.5/5 and would recommend it anytime, any day to anyone who values strong themes, and longs to see that era through the eyes of characters just as flawed as we are.

Jhymi🖤

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