"Set in contemporary Nigeria, this character-driven dazzler explores power, political corruption, social divisions and the human heart with breath-taking insight."
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.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Recommendations: |
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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.
A Spell of Good Things features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Books of the Month, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
A Spell of Good Things is available in Paperback, Hardback, Ebook (Epub)
A Spell of Good Things was written by Ayobami Adebayo and published by Canongate Books
A Spell of Good Things has 332 pages
