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A Spell of Good Things cover art

A Spell of Good Things

Written by: Ayobami Adebayo
Narrated by: Ore Apampa, Babajide Oyekunle
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Publisher's Summary

LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023

MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2023: the Observer, Guardian, Financial Times, Stylist, the Express and Oprah Daily

Ayòbámi Adébáyò, the Women's Prize-shortlisted author of Stay With Me, unveils a dazzling story of modern Nigeria and two families caught in the riptides of wealth, power, romantic obsession and political corruption.

Eniola is tall for his age, a boy who looks like a man. His father has lost his job, so Eniola spends his days running errands for the local tailor, collecting newspapers and begging, dreaming of a big future.

Wuraola is a golden girl, the perfect child of a wealthy family. Now an exhausted young doctor in her first year of practice, she is beloved by Kunle, the volatile son of family friends.

When a local politician takes an interest in Eniola and sudden violence shatters a family party, Wuraola and Eniola's lives become intertwined. In this breathtaking novel, Ayòbámi Adébáyò shines her light on Nigeria, on the gaping divide between the haves and the have-nots, and the shared humanity that lives in between.

©2023 Ayobami Adebayo (P)2023 Canongate Books

Critic Reviews

"A moving story, skilfully told, about Eniola, a boy whose future has been snatched away from him, and Wuraola, a talented, overworked junior doctor, whose intertwined narratives combine to produce an insightful portrait of an unequal and deeply divided society moving towards a terrible crisis. A Spell of Good Things is both gripping and memorable." (Pat Barker)

"Adebayo’s mesmerizing prose is suffused with heart and sharp emotions. Every page of this book was a pleasure to read. Even the hard parts. A Spell of Good Things is a triumph of storytelling." (Chika Unigwe)

"All characters matter in Ayobami Adebayo’s intricate, haunting and timely fictional exploration of classism and sexism set in Nigeria’s election season." (Sefi Atta)

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  • 15-01-24

A different world of similar stories

A thought provoking book. It shows that where ever we are, human aspirations are the same. A glimpse into the lives of haves and have nots and how both are trapped by their status and a strong sense of family. Thoroughly enjoyed it. So well narrated by both the performers.

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Pacing of the story is all over the place

A decent read. Quickly going over the book:
It covers 2 families belonging to opposite strata of society. Their lives intersect from time to time. Both families are plagued by issues of different nature. The issues are covered well. The story captures how fleeting moments in ones life can change ones course forever. However the pace of the plot is all over the place. It starts super slow, thickens a bit in the middle and then just ends abruptly leaving one disappointed. The author could have done a faaaar better job. The narrators have made the listen feel authentic. So they salvage they book a bit through their efforts

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