'Stay with Me' by Ayobami Adebayo is a poignant novel set in Nigeria, focusing on the struggles of Yejide and Akin, a couple facing infertility and societal pressure to have children. The story delves into themes of marriage, family, tradition, and the devastating impact of infertility on their relationship. Through alternating perspectives, the author weaves a tale of love, loss, and the complexities of Nigerian culture in the 1980s, creating a rich and emotionally charged narrative that captivates readers.
The writing style of Ayobami Adebayo in 'Stay with Me' is elegant and mature, seamlessly blending the personal struggles of Yejide and Akin with broader themes of societal expectations and cultural clashes. The characters are portrayed as realistic and flawed, drawing readers into their lives and making them emotionally invested in the outcome of their tumultuous marriage. Adebayo skillfully navigates themes of love, betrayal, and resilience, creating a compelling story that resonates long after the final page.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The content warnings for Stay With Me include themes of infertility, pregnancy loss, mental health issues, and domestic strife, which could be distressing for some readers.
Has Romance?
The novel contains a high level of romance as it centrally focuses on the love story between Yejide and Akin amid challenges.
From The Publisher:
"Powerfully magnetic. . . . In the lineage of great works by Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. . . . A thoroughly contemporary-and deeply moving-portrait of a marriage." -The New York Times Book Review
Ilesa, Nigeria. Ever since they first met and fell in love at university, Yejide and Akin have agreed: polygamy is not for them. But four years into their marriage-after consulting fertility doctors and healers, and trying strange teas and unlikely cures-Yejide is still not pregnant. She assumes she still has time-until her in-laws arrive on her doorstep with a young woman they introduce as Akin's second wife. Furious, shocked, and livid with jealousy, Yejide knows the only way to save her marriage is to get pregnant. Which, finally, she does-but at a cost far greater than she could have dared to imagine.
The unforgettable story of a marriage as seen through the eyes of both husband and wife, Stay With Me asks how much we can sacrifice for the sake of family.
A New York Times Notable Book
One of the Best Books of the Year: NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Chicago Tribune, BuzzFeed, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Post, Southern Living, The Skimm
A 2017 BEA Buzz Panel Selection
A Belletrist Book-of-the-Month
A Sarah Jessica Parker Book Club Selection
Shortlisted for the 2017 Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction
Shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize and the 9mobile Prize for Literature
Longlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize
Ratings (13)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (5) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (3) |
Reader Stats (30):
Read It (13) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (12) | |
Not Interested (4) |
2 comment(s)
This was one of the most emotional and intense books I ever read, didn't think I would be so moved by the story. It's so raw but told in such good way.
****5.0****
This is a story solely based on LOVE.
We meet Yejide and Akin in 1980's Nigeria and continue along with their life till 2008. Yejide a perfect strong modern woman and Akin perfect for Yegide. Yejide and Akin are university educated and relatively well to do. Yejide runs her own hair salon and Akin works for a bank.
“what would be left of love without truth stretched beyond its limits”
The life rolls up and down when Yegide is not able to have children even when the doctors say everything is perfect with her body. The pressure from the family makes Yegide to try out all the things that she knows of just to get a child. But the story doesn't set all straight in few chapters. Story slowly unravels where Akin and Yegide relationship goes turns sour but yet so strong, breaking the reader's heart.
“The reasons why we do the things we do will not always be the ones that others will remember. Sometimes”
Wonderfully woven story, character so real that I could literally see them. Very powerful plot on love,family and parenthood.
“Sometimes I think we have children because we want to leave behind someone who can explain who we were to the world when we are gone.”
Happy Reading!!
What can you read after
Stay with Me?
About the Author:
Ayobami Adebayo's stories have appeared in a number of magazines and anthologies, and one was highly commended in the 2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition. She holds BA and MA degrees in literature in English from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, and…
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