The Middle Daughter

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Chika says the novel was triggered by a true life story “where a young woman gets into the kind of relationship Nani does with Ephraim; and for similar reasons, I’m still rooting for that girl. I spoke about my desire for justice. I wanted to right the wrongs done to Persephone and give her a voice, make her in charge of her own story”. This was such an emotionally strenuous, intense, and powerful read. In her book, Unigwe explores family, social class, religion, grief, and motherhood through the lens of Nani, and sometimes Ugo, her younger sister. The blame culture is strong here, whilst religion reverence supersedes respectful worship and transcends into a dangerous weapon, one that Nani is beaten with many times. if you hate men don’t read this book because it’ll make you hate them even more! jokes aside, this was one of the most heartbreaking books i’ve read lately; 17 year old nani’s world is plunged into darkness as she loses her father and sister. experiencing loss after loss, her heartache is only multiplied when she meets ephraim, the “man of God” who almost feeds off of her grief and despair. not to mention a mother who’s years have hard work have hardened what should be a soft heart for her daughters to seek refuge in. there were so many times where i had to physically put this book down let out a sigh of exasperation at the actions of not only nani but also ephraim, because one thing i’ll never understand is how someone can do evil to a person yet claim to love them. but i’m getting ahead of myself, just read the book!!

The Middle Daughter | Chika Unigwe | 9781838857899 | NetGalley The Middle Daughter | Chika Unigwe | 9781838857899 | NetGalley

Chika Unigwe writes with a moral urgency nourished by a nuanced understanding of the human condition and a prose that is elegantly calibrated. And for all the dark turns her work takes, it is suffused with warmth, hard won wisdom and a deep compassion.” The novel focuses on the middle daughter Nani, but is told from the perspective of the other daughter as well so you get a layered look into what is happening with the family. With dead circling the family, Nani grieves and thinks her mother and sister is not hurting because of how they decide to “move on with life”. She meets and forms a friendship with a Ephraim, a guy who is deeply religious, quotes the Bible and has a very verbose vocabulary that he loves to show off. What started off as a bit of a joke, morphs into something dark. I didn't expect to like this book that much, it so beautiful written and I even forgot that i was reading a book because i was in the story. Be prepared to be enraged. Be prepared to want to hurl the book across the room; to scream murder at Ephraim. To want to cradle Nani in your arms and whisper kind words to her.

The Middle Daughter is a social novel written by Chika Unigwe and published by Dzanc Books in 2018. [1] Unigwe drew her inspiration from the story of Hades and Persephone. [2] Characters [ edit ] What goes through the mind of a woman who fears her own husband? This is the central question that begins the tragic story of Nani. She finds her world thrown into utter chaos in the wake of the death of her sister and father. Chika Unigwe’s modern retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone is pitch perfect—it is a meditation on the need we all share for belonging, and family, and love; a commentary on the journey we must all take in search of freedom.” —Helon Habila, author of Travellers

The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe | World Literature Today

This book was apparently a modern reimagining of the myth of Hades and Persephone, but since I didn’t know that story like I thought I did, it was basically just a story about abuse. I’m sure there were parallels, but this does not, under any circumstances, feel like a myth or a retelling of a cultural myth. Growing up, I primarily read Western literature. However, several outstanding Nigerian classics have remained etched in my mind over the years. While I’m familiar with the works of Chinua Achebe and Buchi Emecheta, I’ve not kept up with the works of newer writers. That’s why I decided to read The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe. Throughout The Middle Daughter, readers wait for Nani to take a stand and fight for her freedom. Sadly, when the moment finally comes, the payoff is unsatisfying. The issue of poor character development sadly extends to the story’s climax. The novel is based primarily in Enugu, with a few side scenes in the United States. Though these locations are central to the story, they add little to the story itself. In fact, I was left feeling like the author could have done a lot more to add color to the locations and help them come alive. A Climax That Fails to ImpressEven Ephraim’s, which I’m horrified by that I say it. I think that’s also one of the authors strongest assets, character building. Everyone is so unique and has their own clear voice even though we mainly follow Nani. Irrespective of however anyone feels about this book, I think that one thing we can all agree on is the fact that her talent at putting together beautifully crafted prose, speaks for itself. While reading this book, I encountered a good number of such passages and sentences and I just had to reread before moving on, for the sheer pleasure of it. The Udodi, Chorus interludes, had a lot of these. nobody hurts you like the people who know you the best. but nobody knows you the least like people who think they know you best." This is a heart-breaking, tender novel, full of beautiful prose. It is a novel which has lingered in the mind long after I finished reading it, and one I will read again. I'm stunned by the stellar reading I've just experienced. I've always been a fan of Ms. Unigwe but she has evolved so much as a writer that I just want to give her all the flowers. I stayed up late to read this book and I have no words to describe how good this book is. All I can tell anyone right now is, you have to friggin read this.