Everything Good Will Come by Sefi Atta Book Review — Chisom
Hell! What a technically erroneous mess! And I would never say I wasted hours of life reading a book but it almost feels that way.
I sincerely loved how the story began with intriguing events post -Biafran war but as I read extensively, I became disappointed with how events were unfolding.
In her youth, the protagonist — Enitan — formed a friendship with Sheri (the girl next door) whom she was forbidden to spend time with, although it was never made clear why, but she nevertheless went ahead. It is in this relationship that the differences of the character come through and we begin to understand what makes these characters tick. We begin to understand Entian’s parents and their dysfunctionality towards one another as her mum becomes a religious fanatic in response to the death of her sickle cell Son. Also how she continuously querried her husband for reasons which became clear later in the novel as Enitan’s father had a son who was a few years younger than Enitan. Before this discovery by Enitan, she disliked her mum. The other adjustment is the inability of Entian ‘s parents to succeed as a couple and all the reasons linked to that. Her parents are a caricature of a resentful, estranged couple. Entian loves an artist and when it doesn’t work out; despite having offered us an intriguing new character we never really feel her pain. And she meets her future husband, who’s as flat as a sheet of paper. Endless banter, and frustratingly repetitive, is dialogue. Scenes in Entian ‘s head were long narrative exposures.
Entian’s thoughts lack real feeling, leaving me in a cerebral mess trying to figure out what I’m supposed to take from all this, because, lo and behold, I’m no longer emotionally invested. Enitan didn’t possess a strong personality like Grace Umeh and Sheri who I love their personalities.
Although Sefi writes so well in a more relatable manner, I feel I had a very high expectation or a different picture because of the “Tittle” and novel opened with post-Biafra events and I was totally down for it but somehow I feel the writer diverted.
Feminism is a strong theme in the novel, I do not agree with the dimension of feminism the writer portrays in the novel as Enitan leaves her husband’s house to pursue her political campaign as her mum dies and her father was imprisoned for speaking up in a country ruled by soldiers.
However, I became intrigued with the prison events and for the first time I could actively feel the personality of Enitan and I feel like there was a little life added to her personality as the story evolved.
The Luminaries Bookclub is an online book club with the aim of encouraging people from different backgrounds and walks of life to read, interact, and expand their knowledge base to increase in wisdom and understanding to maximize their potentials. Our sole purpose is to revive the reading culture among the youth, and as the name implies, build up individuals that are an inspiration to others and together be a body that gives light.
Want to be a member? Click here to chat with our Admin. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get our updates.
