Ogadinma Or, Everything Will Be All Right

Ogadinma or, Everything Will be All Right tells the story of the nave and trusting Ogadinma as she battles against Nigeria's societal expectations in the 1980s.  After a rape and unwanted pregnancy leave her exiled from her family in Kano, thwarting her plans to go to university, she is sent to her aunt's in Lagos and pressured into a marriage with an older man. As their whirlwind romance descends into abuse and indignity, Ogadinma is forced to channel her independence and resourcefulness to escape a fate which appears all but inevitable.  Ogadinma, the UK debut by Ukamaka Olisakwe, introduces a heroine for whom it is impossible not to root, and announces the author as a gifted chronicler of the patriarchal experience. 

About the Author :
Ukamaka Olisakwe is a Nigerian novelist, short story writer and screenwriter. In 2014 she was chosen as one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most promising writers under the age of 40. She was born in Kano, Nigeria, and in 2016, was a resident at the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program. Her writing has appeared in Catapult, the New York Times and The Rumpus. She wrote the screenplay for The Calabash, a Nigerian television series that premiered in 2015 on Africa Magic Showcase.

Review :
‘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.’ ‘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.’ ‘A harrowing tale that begins with an atrocity and ends with a stark realisation about womanhood, agency and what it means to be independent.’ ‘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?’ ‘A beautifully written coming-of-age story following the title character’s journey against gendered oppression and class adversity in 80’s Nigeria.’ ‘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.’ ‘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/ ‘The reader is only privy to a mere few years of Ogadinma’s young life, but her character ark is far-reaching.’ ‘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.’ Top Reads 2020 | Fiction Extract from Ogadinma in Granta’s most popular fiction from 2020. https://granta.com/top-reads-2020-fiction/ #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/ ‘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.’ ‘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