Published by Canongate Books in 2017, Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo had been lingering on my TBR for a while. With a cup of tea in hand and the rain drizzling outside, I finally decided to dive in. And wow, what a journey this book took me on!
Book Blurb:
Yejide and Akin have been married since they met and fell in love at university. Though many expected Akin to take several wives, he and Yejide have always agreed: polygamy is not for them. But four years into their marriage – after consulting fertility doctors and healers, trying strange teas and unlikely cures – Yejide is still not pregnant. She assumes she still has time – until her family arrives on her doorstep with a young woman they introduce as Akin’s second wife. Furious, shocked, and livid, Yejide knows the only way to save her marriage is to get pregnant, which begins her desperate quest for a child, fueled by love, betrayal, and obsession. Yejide soon discovers that the real tragedy begins long after the baby comes.
Review:
Stay With Me is an intense, emotional rollercoaster of a book that explores love, marriage, and the complexity of family dynamics. Set in 1980s Nigeria, Adebayo’s writing is raw, honest, and at times, heartbreaking. This is not a light read—it’s a story that grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go.
Yejide’s journey is one of heartbreak, yearning, and determination, and Adebayo doesn’t shy away from portraying the deep emotional toll infertility can take on a woman. I found myself deeply connected to Yejide, understanding her desperation and her desire to hold on to her marriage. Adebayo’s portrayal of her emotional landscape is so authentic, I often felt like I was sitting beside Yejide, sharing her tea and listening to her story.
What I found particularly striking about Stay With Me was the way it delves into the intersection of personal and cultural expectations. The pressure placed on Yejide by both her family and society to bear children is relentless, and Adebayo skilfully weaves this into a larger narrative about love, betrayal, and identity. The introduction of a second wife into Yejide and Akin’s marriage felt like a gut punch, and from that moment, the tension only escalates.
The characters in this book are flawed, deeply human, and at times, incredibly frustrating—especially Akin. I found myself questioning his decisions, even as I understood the cultural pressures he was under. Yet it’s this complexity that makes the story so compelling. Like Monica in Lives Like Mine, Yejide is a character you might not always agree with, but you can’t help but feel for her.
The writing style is engaging and fluid, though at times, I found myself needing to take a break to process the weight of what was unfolding. There are twists and turns in this narrative that left me gasping, especially as secrets come to light. Without giving too much away, the revelations in the latter half of the book are both shocking and heartbreaking, making Stay With Me a book that stays with you long after the final page.
If you’re someone who enjoys emotionally charged stories that explore the depth of relationships, cultural expectations, and personal sacrifice, this one should definitely make it to your reading list. Adebayo writes with such grace and sensitivity, bringing the struggles of Yejide and Akin to life in a way that feels incredibly real.
Final Thoughts:
Stay With Me is a masterful exploration of the human heart, and it’s no surprise that it garnered such acclaim. While it’s not an easy read, it’s certainly a fulfilling one. The themes of love, loss, and societal pressure are universal, and I think readers will find much to relate to, even if the setting is worlds away from their own.
So, if you’re looking for something with emotional depth, complex characters, and a story that will make you think long after you've finished reading, I highly recommend adding Stay With Me to your TBR.
Do you have any book recommendations? Pop them in the comments below! I'm always on the look out for a good book.
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