Oyinkan Brathwaite
This quick read was a true joy to read. Set in Nigeria, the book follows Korede, who has helped her sister, Ayoola, cover up the murders of her last three boyfriends. However, when Ayoola takes an interest in Korede’s colleague and close friend, Tade, Korede is faced with a dilemma of how to prevent her sister from killing again.
Whilst this book on the surface sounds as though it could be a fast-paced thriller, it is in fact a very light-hearted, humorous read, focusing primarily on the relationship between the two sisters.
The women are in many ways opposites, but at their core hold a loyalty for one another that extends beyond all else. However, this loyalty also leads to a resentment on Korede’s part as a result of the responsibility she must bear for Ayoola’s actions, both benign and lethal in nature.
I was incredibly impressed with how Braithwaite managed to keep the book light and enjoyable whilst exploring the resentment Korede regularly feels for her sister over the being complicit in the murders of Ayoola’s ex-boyfriends as well the guilt that she particularly suffers from after the third murder.
What was particularly clever on the part of Braithwaite, however, was that the focus on the sister’s relationship, rather than the narrative of Ayoola possibly killing again, allowed you to step away from the sinister nature of her actions and more fully understand the dilemma Korede faces, of whether to betray her sister by preventing her from killing again or remain silent but loyal.
Additionally, the reoccurring themes of everyday sexism found within daily Nigerian life for a woman added another perspective to the book that allowed you to sympathise with the female characters despite their questionable morals. This was further emphasised through the flashbacks of what life was like prior to their father’s death, when they lived in fear of his abuse.
Overall, this book manages to touch upon many intensely dark and harrowing issues whilst maintaining a comedic edge with great success. I would thoroughly recommend reading this book.
My Literary Life 