Yes, yes, yes!! I was snapping my fingers in the air while finishing up this contemporary Ghanaian debut novel by @peacemedie. It's about Afi, a young woman from a small town in Ghana who is wed in absentia in the first sentence. Way to start off this story! I was hooked from that first line. We get to know Afi and her groom-in-absentia, Elikem or Eli, and follow their relationship and marriage. It's such a vivid and colorful cast of characters, from moms and mother-in-laws to uncles and aunties and everyone in between. You know in big families, EVERYONE has something to say about a marriage! Afi does eventually move into the house but the relationship goes through ups and downs. However, they eventually get into a routine—until she is face to face with the other woman. What are some of the key ways that Eli showed he was more committed to other woman? We read the story from Afi’s perspective starting with her wedding day where her husband Eli is a no show. That sets the stage for the kind of dynamic between Afi and Eli. Not only is this an arranged marriage but he can’t find the time to show up to his own wedding day! You really feel for Afi who is put in an impossible situation by wanting to please her mother but also realizing she’s giving up a lot of freedom and a chance for her own love story. On a trip with two other couples, she overheard a conversation between him and his friends and realized that he was still with Muna and had no plans to leave her.

The favourite son of a wealthy family, employers to many of the community, Eli is also clever and considerate, good in bed, and – get this – he’s even willing to make his own breakfast in the mornings, a cause for consternation for Aki, whose traditional values will come to be tested over the course of an engaging, quietly provocative debut. I thought this was an easy read, and ended up reading it one sitting. The story is frustrating in so many ways—mainly Eli and Aunty’s treatment of Afi. They for sure underestimated Afi and thought that she would be easily swayed by living a life of luxury. But Afi could not let herself be caged in and I respected the fact she stood up to them. Uncle Pious was like Afi’s father since her father was dead. He expected her to send money to him and was greedy and had no qualms about asking. He even sent two of his children to live with her, but Eli sent them home. When they started to cry, he found out why. He then offered to provide them with resources, so they could keep going to school and have more food; he also promised that they could come to visit during holidays. Points of Questioning The first son, Selorm, was welcomed by the family. The grandmothers doted on him and loved him. Eli and Afi were happy together.How did Afi end up in this predicament? Afi’s dad died and her mother was unable to provide for her and they lived on the charity of Aunty Ganyo. They felt so indebted to Aunty Ganyo so when she suggested that Afi marry her son, Elikem Ganyo, her mother forced her to say yes! Afi ends up marrying Eli, moving to Accra to live in a fancy new apartment, having a driver to take her around, and starting her apprenticeship as a fashion designer—all while waiting to meet her husband Eli for the first time. Afi is well aware that Eli has another 'woman' and a child who he lives with close by, but she is married to him and there are some expectations for a marriage. As time passes, and Afi begins studying fashion and bonding with her brother-in-law's lover, she begins to chafe against the constraints imposed by the Ganyos, who time and again tell her not too demand too much from her husband, and remind her—subtly and not—of the advantages brought by her marrying 'upward'. When Afi grows increasingly jealous of the 'Liberian woman', she begins to disregards the Ganyos' and her husband's wishes and demands. Peace Adzo Medie was born in Liberia and educated in Ghana. She has an MA in International Studies from Ohio University and a PhD in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.

With spot-on characterizations of deeply involved extended families and realistic depictions of how money can change everything, Peace Adzo Medie conjures a Cinderella story just right for 2020.” Throughout the marriage, from the beginning, Afi is clear what is required of her. She speaks with her mother daily to let her know the details of her marriage and the progress she is making with Eli. Her mother reports to Aunty. When her husband goes to America to get his other family, this is the first time she makes a decision before first consulting her mother or Mawusi. Instead, she went to Evelyn for support. Evelyn Afi’s story is compelling, even if its developments are predictable. Unembellished conversations, combined with Afi’s steady internal monologue, help to convey her intentions; her relationships develop at a steady pace. Afi’s charm makes her an empowering example of modern womanhood. They do not once hold this grown man accountable for his actions; instead the blame was deflected on the woman. Even when she got pregnant with THEIR SON, things did not change. There were some happy moments in here, don’t get me wrong. But ugh ugh ugh MOMS STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR YOUR SONS!!!!

Beyond the Book

Afi moves into one of Eli’s many places and is now experiencing a life of luxury. But her focus is still on making Eli happy. What did you think about their first in-person interaction as husband and wife? Re-read this book for BookOfCinz Book Club and as I thought, I absolutely enjoyed it even more. I cannot wait for book club to talk about it all!