Books to some people is an escape from reality. Before, I would have said I am one of them but with the way I venture into traumatizing novels these days, I'm no longer escaping from reality. Instead, I think I'm escaping only to live it through books.
Someone recommended this book I'll be reviewing to me saying it's a very heartbreaking story. And being the self-torturer I am, I made a mental note to make sure I read it. Well, I read it last week and I realized why said someone said that. It was as heartbreaking as a book could get.
Daughters who walked this path is a 250 paged book written by Yejide Kilanko. It follows the story of a little girl named Morayo and her junior sister Eniayo. From the birth of Eniayo, Morayo is made to know that her sister is her responsibility. It is her duty as the senior to always protect her. It's nothing to Morayo who always wished for a sister and they both grow to love each other as sisters can. Their family is as normal as a nuclear family can be and they live as normal as possible. Well, their normal family life takes a down turn when one of their cousins with a notorious past is brought to live with them.
I really really liked this book. It was an emotional read and as fictional as it appeared, it was extremely realistic. Morayo's story is something we hear of in the world of today. And being a book, as she went through all those unfortunate experiences, we (the readers) went through it with her. The saying that everybody had their fair shares of disappointments in life wasn't what we saw here. Instead, it portrayed that bitter part of life. That part where one person is forced to suffer continuously, while the other person has life going although not very easily but easier for her, thanks to the sacrifices the one suffering made. That part that doesn't guarantee calm after every storm. Morayo had no choice but to endure everything she went through in the hands of their cousin, not reporting to her parents for fear of the same thing happening to her sister. An ordeal it was reading this book.
This was a very slow-paced novel with a solid plotline. The storyline in itself was amazing. How the protagonist struggled with her painful past and still had to continue living with it, making mistakes and coming to regret it later was something I liked. I love strong protagonists and this protagonist was one. Having no one on her side, no one to understand her, everyone judging her for not speaking up early, no one bothering to hear her out on why she kept it to herself all the while, it was sad and it was only understandable when she began to entertain misleading thoughts.
There was nothing really big that happened at the end of this book but the end was befitting and satisfying.
So, if you have trauma of any sort or you intend on reading this book soon, you can as well stop here. As the remaining part of this review might contain spoilers and topics that might be detrimental to your mental health. The book contains themes of sexual abuse, domestic violence and character death.
I really disliked their mom. Sex education is something that is always emphasized but she failed Morayo in that aspect. Although I didn't have a problem with her for that because parenting is not something anyone has done before and it's normal to make mistakes, My biggest irk was her judging Morayo for not speaking up earlier when she was being abused. Her thinking that her daughter was enjoying being abused was appalling. No child deserves a mother like that. And besides, I felt everything that happened in this book, could have been avoided in a sense. Morayo's mom shouldn't have accepted someone with a history of sexual assault into the household knowing fully well that you have two daughters. And then, she pinned the blame on Morayo. What mother thinks their daughter is the one at fault in a situation like that? She was annoying.
Aside their mom and the villain, I liked the other characters. Eniayo was a sweet and sensible character. Even without her knowledge of what her sister went through, she was very sweet. She complimented her sister's hard life with her sweetness. There was also one of their aunts I liked. The only one who had been in the same situation as Morayo, hence the only one she could open up to. I was grateful for that because the protagonist really needed someone who understood her and the author provided a character suited for that.
This book had the ability to make you feel angry, sad, smile in relief and tear up. All in one sitting. It is one I enjoyed reading due to how emotional it was.
I'll rate it a 7/10. It had a very good storyline and nice character development. A worthy read if you ask me.
Will I recommend it? Yes, but not to everyone. It is an emotionally draining novel, hence it is not for the faint of heart.
Thanks for reading.
Image is a screenshot taken by me during the process of reading
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I had goosebumps reading your review so I can just imagine the book. I get it that nobody has done parenting before but at least her mom could have still tried with the sex Education at least, don’t you think?
I think most parents mentally prepare for that the moment they know they are giving birth to a girl especially.
Okayy, no need to be sentimental it’s just fiction…okay no but it happens in real life too🥺
I thought so too but I decided to emphasize on the most painful part. That where she was criticizing her daughter for being abused.
It happens in real life, quite a lot and it's saddening
Morayo? That sounds Yoruba. Is it a Nigerian book? Oh,it probably is. Apologies.🥲
This sounds like a book I would just like. And no, I'm not a heartless monster.
It's a Nigerian book, yes. I know you're not a heartless monster. You just pretend to be one😉
I like that you highlight how important the topic of education and understanding in parenting is, especially when dealing with such delicate situations. It is certainly a very thought provoking book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and warnings; I will definitely keep it in mind.
Do keep it in mind if you eventually get to this book. A nice book it was