LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
Ayòbámi Adébáyò’s A Spell of Good Things is one of those rare novels you might just lose yourself in, forgetting what time it is, or where you are. Such is its immersive power.
Set in present-day Nigeria, it weaves a story of two families from either side of a wealth divide to expose social divisions and corruption. At the same time, through its brilliantly-drawn characters, and the seemingly unlikely connections between them, the novel also shows fundamental commonalities that persist, no matter what — love, passion, disappointment, frustration, and hope.
As a result of his father losing his job, Eniola’s family is struggling. A giant of a boy who looks like a man, Eniola runs errands and begs while dreaming of a different kind of life. Meanwhile, Wuraola appears to have it all. Born into a rich family, she’s a qualified doctor starting out on her career, yet she’s over-worked and dissatisfied.
From very different backgrounds, and on very different trajectories, Eniola and Wuraola’s lives become unexpectedly enmeshed. Epic in scope and fine in detail, this is a spellbinding story.
Joanne Owen
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A Spell of Good Things Synopsis
Ayòbámi Adébáyò, the Women's Prize shortlisted author of Stay With Me, unveils a dazzling story of modern Nigeria and two families caught in the riptides of wealth, power, romantic obsession and political corruption.
Eniola is tall for his age, a boy who looks like a man. His father has lost his job, so Eniola spends his days running errands for the local tailor, collecting newspapers and begging, dreaming of a big future.
Wuraola is a golden girl, the perfect child of a wealthy family. Now an exhausted young doctor in her first year of practice, she is beloved by Kunle, the volatile son of family friends.
When a local politician takes an interest in Eniola and sudden violence shatters a family party, Wuraola and Eniola's lives become intertwined. In this breathtaking novel, Ayòbámi Adébáyò shines her light on Nigeria, on the gaping divide between the haves and the have-nots, and the shared humanity that lives in between.
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Press Reviews
Ayobami Adebayo Press Reviews
A moving story, skilfully told, about Eniola, a boy whose future has been snatched away from him, and Wuraola, a talented, overworked junior doctor, whose intertwined narratives combine to produce an insightful portrait of an unequal and deeply divided society moving towards a terrible crisis. A Spell of Good Things is both gripping and memorable -- PAT BARKER
Adebayo's mesmerizing prose is suffused with heart and sharp emotions. Every page of this book was a pleasure to read. Even the hard parts. A Spell of Good Things is a triumph of storytelling -- CHIKA UNIGWE
All characters matter in Ayobami Adebayo's intricate, haunting and timely fictional exploration of classism and sexism set in Nigeria's election season -- SEFI ATTA
Praise for Stay With Me: Scorching, gripping, ultimately lovely -- MARGARET ATWOOD
A thoroughly contemporary style that is all her own . . . clever and funny . . . despite the intense sadness of her subject matter, she has produced a bright, big-hearted demonstration of female spirit, as well as the damage done by the boundlessness of male pride - Guardian
Has a remarkable emotional resonance and depth of field . . . [Adebayo] is an exceptional storyteller. She writes not just with extraordinary grace but with genuine wisdom about love and loss and the possibility of redemption. She has written a powerfully magnetic and heartbreaking book - New York Times
This terrific first novel . . . deals with the daily stresses of living with the political upheavals of the time but the real drama is happening in Yejide's womb. Adebayo unfolds the many layers of truth with insight and skill - The Times
One of the must-read books of the year so far: Stay With Me has it all, including big themes of love, grief and jealousy, a fantastic female protagonist plus it reads like a page-turning thriller - Stylist
Affecting and powerful . . . Adebayo's prose is a pleasure: immediate, unpretentious and flecked with whip-smart Nigerian-English dialogue - Sunday Times
This deeply impressive novel of infertility, loneliness and longing is the first by the hotly-tipped Adebayo and it packs a tremendous punch - Daily Mail
Author
About Ayobami Adebayo
Ayọ̀bámi Adébàyọ̀ was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Her debut novel, Stay With Me, won the 9mobile Prize for Literature, was shortlisted for the Baileys Prize for Women’s Fiction, the Wellcome Book Prize and the Kwani? Manuscript Prize. It has been translated into twenty languages and the French translation was awarded the Prix Les Afriques. Longlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize and the International Dublin Literary Award, Stay With Me was a New York Times, Guardian, Chicago Tribune and NPR Best Book of the Year. Ayọ̀bámi Adébàyọ̀ splits her time between Norwich and Lagos.
Click here to read Ayobami Adebayo discuss her debut novel Stay with Me.
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