Questions For Ada by Ijeoma Umebinyuo Book Review — Stella Inabo
Reading Questions for Ada took me back to the pages of Rapi Kaur’s book, The Sun and Her Flowers. The poems were written in the simplest words. They were about pain, healing, and love. Each verse an ode to the unique experience of being human.
Ijeoma writes for women in her book and by extension men. But just as the title suggests Questions for Ada looks at living from the feminine side most of the time. It speaks about issues only females face.
It gives a voice to a wife dealing with a cheating husband. To a daughter suffering from domestic abuse but turned away by her family. To a young girl abused by her employer. To a heartbroken young woman healing. To the support women give to women.
Some poems talk about issues that confront both men and women. The feeling of displacement immigrants feel. The tendency some have to look down on their culture because of their acquired homes. There are poems that talk about colonialism and the sad reality of terrorism.
In some ways, I feel Ijeoma wrote to herself too. Every poet has. Our art heals us. I wonder which questions where hers.
Questions for Ada felt real and true for me. A bit more than Rapi Kaur’s book. Not because it is better but because I could relate to these experiences more. They were African. It felt Nigerian.
I’d recommend this book to anyone that wants to take a step back and heal. Wounds are knit up fastest by those who understand.
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