At age 17 Ogadinma is raped which results in an unwanted pregnancy. She has an abortion to terminate the pregnancy. Disappointed by her daughter’s decision to “get pregnant under his roof and later kill the baby” Ogadinma is then sent to live with her uncle in Lagos.
In Lagos, Ogadinma falls in love with an older man and is later pressured into a quick marriage after a short period of dating. Her husband, Tobe, is then arrested by the military government and later loses his status in society and his wealth.
Tobe comes home a completely different man – violent and abusive. Ogadinma is forced to channel all her independence and resourcefulness into finding herself as a woman, her voice and break the weight of cultural expectations.
Thank you Masobe for this review copy.
I would like to say I am impressed by the weighty subjects and themes Olisakwe discusses in this book.
Patriarchal control: In Ogadinma’s case, it started with seeking help to attend the university and being touched inappropriately against her will, then it moved to the marriage to Tobe which led to total dependence on him and his family as her caretakers (even for her meals and her clothes), later to the beatings her husband gave her. The African society is patriarchal. There are distinct gender roles. Women are expected to marry, have children, keep their marriage and their homes whilst being available sexually for their husbands. For a woman to break free from this control, she would have to first unlearn these societal expectations, find her voice, and then find herself. I love that Ogadinma’s story highlighted the struggles women must go through and break free from male dominance and control.
Rape and Abuse (Trigger Warnings): I am still shocked and speechless by how Tobe’s family (including Auntie Ngozie) and Ogadinma’s father were quick to protect the man and leave the sufferer of the abuse.
Ukamaka Olisakwe’s book Ogadinma is set in Nigeria in the 1980’s. But some part of the story felt like 2022. Issues of girls/women being touched inappropriately against their will, rape and domestic violence are still ongoing in our society today.
Described as a modern feminist classic, I think Olisakwe did an exceptional job raising issues that need to be critically looked at. We must, as a society, unlearn and break free from these cultural expectations.
This book stressed me out so much. The friendship between Ogadinma and Ejiro is the only thing that gave me joy.
Also, I learned about the military rule before and during Muhammudu Buhari in the 1980s.
Commentaires