His Only Wife
When Afi agrees to an arranged marriage with a wealthy man she has never met, she thinks she understands the rules she must play by in her home of Ghana. But she just might break them all in this must-read, captivating tale that questions issues of independence and identity. A Reese’s Book Club pick.
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Community Reviews
4.25 stars
Infuriating. Witty. Unlike anything else I've read. When I first read the blurb for His Only Wife I knew I wanted to read it. Afi is a young woman who finds herself in the most bizarre marital situation I may have ever heard of, but sadly is probably more common than I'm aware. But this bizarre marriage leads her on a journey of self-discovery and growth, and it was a joy to witness her transformation.
Medie's dry but honest writing style made this novel shine. From the first sentence I was enamored. I had to know what happened to Afi, and I couldn't stop turning pages until I found out. She's a character you can't help rooting for; her happiness was all that mattered to me. There's so much I want to talk about, but--and I feel like I've said this a lot lately--this is another book that I think works better if you go in blindly. I'd only read the blurb before I started it, avoiding early reviews. I wanted to form my own opinions, and I'm happy I did. It's also hard to avoid spoilers, so this will be a short review.
The family of Eli, Afi's new husband, expects a lot from Afi. They've arranged this marriage as kind of a last-ditch effort to "save" Eli from a woman he's in love with that they don't approve of. They've left Afi in the dark for the most part, but she agrees to the marriage out of a feeling of obligation to take care of her mother and extended family. And it's there in the dark that this story starts and where all the obstacles originate.
If this story would have ended differently, this would be a different review. For me, so much depended on how things wrapped up for Afi, and if I wouldn't have been satisfied by the conclusion, it would have dampened my whole experience. However, being satisfied doesn't mean that it wasn't emotional and impactful. I feel like Afi's story will be one that I remember for a long time. Diverse and empowering, it's a story the world needs to hear.
Thank you to the publisher, Algonquin Books, for the advanced copy.
#popsugarreadingchallenge2020 (prompt #40a)
Infuriating. Witty. Unlike anything else I've read. When I first read the blurb for His Only Wife I knew I wanted to read it. Afi is a young woman who finds herself in the most bizarre marital situation I may have ever heard of, but sadly is probably more common than I'm aware. But this bizarre marriage leads her on a journey of self-discovery and growth, and it was a joy to witness her transformation.
Medie's dry but honest writing style made this novel shine. From the first sentence I was enamored. I had to know what happened to Afi, and I couldn't stop turning pages until I found out. She's a character you can't help rooting for; her happiness was all that mattered to me. There's so much I want to talk about, but--and I feel like I've said this a lot lately--this is another book that I think works better if you go in blindly. I'd only read the blurb before I started it, avoiding early reviews. I wanted to form my own opinions, and I'm happy I did. It's also hard to avoid spoilers, so this will be a short review.
The family of Eli, Afi's new husband, expects a lot from Afi. They've arranged this marriage as kind of a last-ditch effort to "save" Eli from a woman he's in love with that they don't approve of. They've left Afi in the dark for the most part, but she agrees to the marriage out of a feeling of obligation to take care of her mother and extended family. And it's there in the dark that this story starts and where all the obstacles originate.
If this story would have ended differently, this would be a different review. For me, so much depended on how things wrapped up for Afi, and if I wouldn't have been satisfied by the conclusion, it would have dampened my whole experience. However, being satisfied doesn't mean that it wasn't emotional and impactful. I feel like Afi's story will be one that I remember for a long time. Diverse and empowering, it's a story the world needs to hear.
Thank you to the publisher, Algonquin Books, for the advanced copy.
#popsugarreadingchallenge2020 (prompt #40a)
A friend who read the book and several reviews expressed thoughts about the presence of patriarchal romance tropes and certain cultural elements that may come across as misogynistic. So, I approached the book with caution. As I read, I did encounter these tropes and elements, and I empathized with how they might feel out of place for many readers including me. However, I was compelled to acknowledge that while these aspects might not resonate with everyone, they can reflect real experiences in different cultures.
Having addressed those concerns, I want to share what I did enjoy about the book. The ending was particularly meaningful to me. It challenged traditional tropes, felt authentic, and highlighted the growth of the characters, especially Afi and her mother, Olivia. I also appreciated the humor woven throughout the story, the constant Tea pouring into my cup generously, and the rich cultural references—like food, fashion, and various lifestyles—that made the reading experience feel vibrant and engaging.
Overall, I found it to be a lighthearted and enjoyable read that plays with familiar tropes while also breaking some, much like our real lives do.
An interesting read. Arranged marriage intended to win his heart back from the distraction of the woman he really loves...
I loved reading this book right from the first chapter. Got me hooked 💯. This books throws light on the Ghanaian culture, a woman’s search for her independence and finding her voice in a culturally driven society (Ghana). It’s about choosing one’s happiness and peace of mind above all else. Will definitely recommend!
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