My last read of 2016 was this heartbreaking story centred on a Nigerian couple - Yejide and Akin - and the depths people go through to have a child, particularly, with pressure from family and society. Beautifully written, I felt Yejide's grief, pain, frustration and eventual numbness. Better yet, there are aspects of relationships (including infidelity) that is not romanticised - but real, honest and human. Honestly, a stunning debut and one that should be read when it's published this year - March in UK, August in the States. Will also be published in Kenya, Nigeria and Sweden this year.
Since then, Stay With Me has had nothing but rave reviews: it was labelled 'a big hearted Nigerian debut' on the Guardian; described as 'affecting and powerful' by Times; and was one of Stylist's pick of the best new books for 2017. And recently, it was shortlisted for the Bailey's Women Prize for Fiction.
2017 Bailey's Women Prize for Fiction Shortlist
With that Ayobami joins a select few African women writers that have been shortlisted for the prize (including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in 2004 for Purple Hibiscus, 2007 for Half of a Yellow Sun in 2007 and 2014 for Americanah, Aminatta Forna in 2011 with The Memory of Love and Esi Edugyan in 2012 with Half-Blood Blues). With Half of a Yellow Sun winning the prize in 2007, in a couple of months (June 7 to be exact) we will find out if Stay With Me will the be the next winner.
While we wait, I wanted to celebrate the wonderful covers of this book, because they truly are stunning. Do you have a favourite?
Nigerian edition
UK edition
US edition