Ogadimma - Everything will be Alright (Book Review)

Everytime I read a story that borders on African patriarchy, I find myself more invested than I usually am, because I always want to know the female character's next lines of action. Reading a woman who despite everything society expects/forces her to be, still want a life for herself, and actually take steps to achieving that, pleases me to a fault. It makes me appreciate women even more than I already do.

All through last week, I binged books and buried myself into books, thanks to a very hectic schedule, and my spiraling emotions. It was on one of these days, when I was burnt out, that I picked up the book titled Ogadinma Or, Everything will be alright.

Ogadinma tells the story of a young girl named Ogadinma, a 17year old girl, with dreams of gaining admission into a Nigerian University. She seeks the help of a lawyer, who ends up raping her consecutively. The aftermath being an unwanted pregnancy. This exiles her from her family in Kano, and she is sent to Lagos by her father to live with her aunt and her family. There, she is pressured into marriage with an older man. Her happiness in the marriage is shortlived, when indignity and abuse becomes the order of the day. Ogadimma is forced to channel her resourcefulness to escape a fate that seems inevitable.

The name Ogadimma struck me a lot in this book, seeing that everything the protagonist went through, could be summarized into what she was named. She suffered a lot, questioning herself, when she was abandoned by people she trusted all her life. Yet, in the end, everything became all right, like her name said it would. I'm glad the book was written in first person, because I doubt any other narration would do justice to it like first person did.

Ogadimma is that character that you'll love to see them end up with wins so big. She is that female character you'd look forward to seeing in their full capacity. But at the same time, she's that character you'd scream at the weakness of their willpower. There were situations she had power over but she just let herself endure the horror. It was disheartening really.

Apart from Ogadimma, who I've talked about in subsequent paragraphs above, there was one character I loved, even though he wasn't in any part, a main. That character is Nnanna, Ogadimma's cousin. His view on life, marriage, relationships and everything between was refreshing. Everytime he had a conversation with our main character, he was the breath of fresh air I never knew I needed while reading the book.

If you intend to read this book, I can assure you that there are only three characters you can place bets on. The rest were toxicity wrapped in skin. Her aunt was the worst of them all. What do you mean because it's something your generation passed through as women, all women must in the next generation? How could one be so mean towards her fellow woman? Your relative to be precise?! Everytime she gave advice, I skimmed through because her advice was never something I wanted internalized.

I could analyse more about other distasteful characters but I'm writing this review after a hectic day, and in preparation for a more hectic one tomorrow. So, we'll leave it at this, skipping some scenes I'd have loved to delve deeply into. My apologies.

If you're someone that enjoys heartbreaking books, with themes that revolve round patriarchy, misogyny, feminism, and a female character who would take steps to make whatever she sets her eyes on work, you should check out this one. I'd rate it an 8 out of 10. A worthy read I must admit.

Thanks for reading

Image above is a screenshot from my e-library.