by 'Pemi Aguda
First published 2025
In these interconnected stories, Nigerian men and women find themselves caught between ancient beliefs and contemporary life. A woman discovers that her family's prosperity comes with a terrible price paid by previous generations. A man seeking guidance from a charismatic spiritual leader realizes the prophet's promises mask dangerous intentions. Another character struggles with shame that seems to follow her like a shadow, affecting every relationship she attempts to form. The community watches and judges, while ancestral expectations weigh heavily on those trying to forge their own paths. Some characters embrace mystical practices as escape routes from trauma, while others find themselves trapped by the very traditions meant to protect them. Love affairs complicate loyalties to family and culture. Modern Nigerian society pulls in one direction while ancient customs demand allegiance in another. Each story reveals how psychological wounds and supernatural beliefs intertwine, creating cycles that bind people to their past. The characters must decide whether to honor inherited obligations or break free, knowing that either choice carries profound consequences for themselves and their communities.
Genres: fiction, african-literature, contemporary, magical-realism, cultural, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, supernatural-elements
Setting: Nigeria
208 pages · Paperback
Content warnings: emotional-abuse