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| cover image from Goodreads |
Title: Stay with Me
Author: Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
Genre: Fiction
Format/Length: audiobook, 8 hours
Publisher: Random House Audio, 2017
My Rating: ★★★★★
This is the story of Yejide and Akin, who have been married for years. All in all, they have a pretty good life. Yejide has a thriving business, while things seem to be looking up for Akin at work. They have a house and they're not lacking for any material comforts.
Yejide’s and Akin’s marriage is supportive, caring, and loving. But there is something missing. For years, they have been trying to get pregnant without any success. Enter Akin’s family who foist a new bride onto him. Much to Yejide’s devastation, Akin agrees to have a second wife. And so begins the disruption to their peace.
Of course that’s not all that happens in this book. So much of this story is not what it seems. Adébáyọ̀ takes the readers on a wonderfully twisty, absorbing, reading journey.
Told in alternating perspectives, Yejide’s and Akin’s, Adébáyọ̀ explores the ups and downs of life. Focusing not only on the relationship of two married people but also the impact of external forces; in-laws, society, tradition, and in their case, an unwanted wife.
Adébáyọ̀’s novel asks what happens to two people when life throws them a curveball one after another?
What would someone do to get what they want?
How much are they willing to give up? Will they give up peace of mind? As well as themselves?
And when it’s all said and done, how can a marriage survive?
Is forgiveness out of the question?
Adébáyọ̀’s writing is strong and moving. I just couldn’t put this story aside. I desperately wanted to know what happens next. I think the alternating voices were very effective in showing the reader different sides of the story. It added a lot of emotional impact. After all, there are two people in this relationship.
Simply put, every wonderful thing you've ever heard about this book has been well deserved. Stay with Me is powerful, interesting, and evocative from start to finish. I won't be able to stop thinking about this book for a while.
