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Ogadinma Or, Everything Will Be All Right

A tale of resilience, identity, and the struggle for freedom

Ukamaka Olisakwe author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:The Indigo Press

Published:10th Sep '20

Should be back in stock very soon

Ogadinma Or, Everything Will Be All Right cover

A young woman's journey from trauma to resilience unfolds in Ogadinma Or, Everything Will Be All Right, a powerful exploration of identity and freedom.

After a traumatic episode leads to her exile from family in Kano, seventeen-year-old Ogadinma finds herself at her aunt's home in Lagos. The upheaval disrupts her dreams of attending university, forcing her to adapt to a new life. As she navigates this unfamiliar territory, she becomes entangled in a whirlwind romance with an older man, which quickly spirals into a situation that challenges her dignity and self-worth. In a world where she feels cornered, Ogadinma must summon her strength and resourcefulness to confront the harsh realities that threaten to define her future.

Ogadinma Or, Everything Will Be All Right is a poignant narrative that delves into themes of departure, loss, and the struggle for autonomy. It explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, particularly in the context of trauma inflicted by controlling men. The burdens these women carry are depicted with sensitivity, highlighting their resilience in the face of adversity. Through Ogadinma's journey, readers witness a young woman's fight for her identity and freedom amidst societal constraints.

Ukamaka Olisakwe's second novel is poised to be a feminist classic, introducing a relatable and compelling heroine. The story resonates with those who have faced similar struggles, making it impossible not to root for Ogadinma. With her keen observations and rich storytelling, Olisakwe establishes herself as a gifted chronicler of the patriarchal experience, crafting a narrative that is both timely and timeless.

‘Ogadinma contributes to the Nigerian feminist literary canon whilst being a classic in its own right … Ogadinma proves that a character can be subdued AND heroic, well-defined AND a vessel.’

-- Jordaine Reads * Instagram Book Tour *

‘This character development is so profound that readers can easily lose themselves in their anguish (or judgement) for Ogadinma to stand up for herself that they will forget that she’s a child.’

-- That Other Nigerian Girl * Instagram Book Tour *

‘A harrowing tale that begins with an atrocity and ends with a stark realisation about womanhood, agency and what it means to be independent.’

-- What Grace Reads * Instagram Book Tour *

‘A harrowing, unflinching, and vivid novel. There is beauty in Olisakwe’s writing but there is also considerable brutality. All of which had me wondering: will everything be alright?’

-- Brady on Books * Instagram Book Tour *

‘A beautifully written coming-of-age story following the title character’s journey against gendered oppression and class adversity in 80’s Nigeria.’

-- Ripley from Bookland * Instagram Book Tour *

‘This fast-paced novel comes across effortlessly and engaging. The difficult content rarely weighs it down, although there are moments that take your breath away.’

-- Aisha the Bibliophile * Instagram Book Tour *

Ogadinma Or, Everything Will be All Right, digs out a range of emotions—rage, expectation, admiration, admonition—which keep the reader turning page after page’

http://columbiajournal.org/review-ogadinma-or-everything-will-be-alright-ukamaka-olisakwe/

-- Harriet Anena * Columbia Journal *

‘The reader is only privy to a mere few years of Ogadinma’s young life, but her character ark is far-reaching.’

-- Issue 2: Bildungsroman * The Indie Insider Newsletter *

‘An invaluable life lesson that one can learn from Ogadinma is that unless women learn to stand up for themselves, patriarchy will continue thrive at our expense.’

-- She Reads and Writes * Instagram *

Top Reads 2020 | Fiction

Extract from Ogadinma in Granta’s most popular fiction from 2020.

https://granta.com/top-reads-2020-fiction/

* Granta *

#YNaija2020Review: Ogadinma, Black Sunday, new Wole Soyinka…The Notable books of the year

‘Olisakwe’s debut is a tale of loss and resilience and finding the beauty among thorns.’

https://ynaija.com/ynaija2020review-ogadinma-black-sunday-new-wole-soyinkathe-notable-books-of-the-year/

-- Wilfred Okiche * YNaija *

‘I found beauty in the strength and confidence that blossomed in Ogadinma but this was by no means an easy journey. A powerful and evocative novel that has been branded a new feminist classic, and I would not disagree at all.’

-- @thefeministnook * Instagram *

‘The twists and turns are fast-paced, creating a sequence of events that allows the reader to continue rooting for Ogadinma as she approaches insurmountable barriers.’ ‘This smart, unforgettable novel sings out with an earnest hope for an end to intergenerational abuse.’

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-911648-16-1

* Publisher's Week

ISBN: 9781911648161

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 19mm

Weight: 256g

256 pages