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Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie


Rating: 

4 Stars 


Themes: 

Motherhood, Psychological Fiction, Short Story, Parenting, Feminism


Thoughts: 

Such a short but poignant read. It is impressive how Adichie can make strong points in such small books.

Zikora is on its surface the story of Zikoras labour and reflections on what led her to this point being a single parent. But interweved through her reflections shows her Nigerian upbringing and the differing traditions there and how they have impacted both her and those around her. From her mothers seemingly cold indifference seemingly caused by her father taking on and moving in with a second wife and sons and her cousins life which was expected of her to marry the rich older man and continue to bear his children we see the different lives that these women lead and the life Zikora was spared by being sent to live in America. 

Through the snippets of their lives that we are told we are also able to see just how easy it is to end up feeling alone as all three women are left feeling like they're parenting alone regardless of the father being abscent or in the same house.


Favourite Quote: 

"How swift the moment is when your life becomes a different life."


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