TOMORROW I BECOME A WOMAN-AIWANOSE ODAFEN.

 TOMORROW I BECOME A WOMAN

AIWANOSE ODAFEN

AFRICAN LITERATURE,LITERARY FICTION

416 PAGES

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                     Photo Credit:Goodreads 

Tomorrow I become a woman is Aiwanose Odafen's debut novel.It is a beautifully written book that allows the story to flow from page to page.

"Every complaint mama and papa had about my behaviour and actions was linked to the imaginary husband and children i would one day have to impress.

Whenever i complained too much,i was warned that i was in grave danger of becoming a nagging wife;the one the scriptures had described as worse than a leaking roof.

When my cooking didn't turn as intended,it was "Uju,is this the poison you will serve your husband and children when you marry."

When Uju met Chigozie in '78 she knew she had met the love of her life.He was handsome,christian and Igbo-the perfect man.When Chigozie asked her to marry him after few months of seeing each other she said yes despite having lingering feeling for Akin- a Yoruba man who she knew her mother would not approve.Akin makes her feel heard, understood, intelligent.Chigozie reminded her of her Uncle Ikenna who died during the war.

Getting married would mean the attainment of womanhood and her mother's approval which she desperately sort.The story explores in detail the complex relationship between mother and daughter.Mama,Uju's mother constantly riled my anger throughout the book.She should have been supportive of Uju and maybe just maybe the cycle of abuse would have been broken.

The book explores domestic violence,female friendship,patriarchy, motherhood,religion,love and loss ,shame,grief among other themes.Uju,her friends and the women in the book might be fictional characters but this is a reality that we live with even today.It is happening to our friends, neighbours and even close family and relatives.

This is a survivor's story.The struggle to meet societal and cultural expectations is a whole different ball game.Culture and society plays a role in keeping women in abusive marriages especially in our African society.There is a stigma and shame attached to divorce.

Tomorrow I become a woman is a beautiful read.Aiwanose Odafen's writing ensures that the book is relatable and an easy read.

Enjoy the read.Remember shelf care is self -care.

Esther Mwelu

10.07.2023.