An academic specializing in international politics and gender issues, Peace Adzo Medie is a promising Ghanaian author. Her first novel, His Only Wife, explores with finesse and irony the struggles and frustrations of African women in the face of patriarchy. Through a story that is both sentimental and social, Medie immerses us in the complex reality of contemporary women in Africa, confronted with the misogynistic prejudices of their society.
Peace Adzo Medie is a voice that deserves to be heard. As a committed academic researcher and author, she has dedicated much of her work to studying gender and denouncing violence against women in Africa. It is from this experience and this expertise that she draws her inspiration for her novel, seeking to combine sociology and fiction to shed authentic light on the condition of women in Africa.
In his first novel, His Only Wife, Peace Adzo Medie tackles burning themes such as polygamy and patriarchal society. The story takes place in a small town in Ghana, where we meet Afi, a young woman who accepts an arranged marriage at the request of her mother. But quickly, she realizes that her husband is having a close relationship with another woman, which will put their marriage in jeopardy. Medie does not seek to judge polygamy, but rather to give a voice to the characters and illustrate their experiences. She follows in the tradition of great African authors like Mariama Bâ, Ama Ata Aidoo and Buchi Emecheta, who also explored the condition of women in their works.
Peace Adzo Medie’s novel transports us to the sumptuous ceremony of Afi’s marriage to the heir of a wealthy family, but his absence at this ceremony sets the tone of the story. Through subversive words and a realistic look, the author deconstructs the myth of “Prince Charming”. She exposes the weaknesses of her male character, Elikem, and challenges traditional expectations of marriage. This revisited fairy tale reveals the complexity of human relationships and offers a unique perspective on the aspirations of modern African women.
With His Only Wife, Peace Adzo Medie offers us a captivating novel that addresses essential societal questions. Her realistic and poignant writing plunges us into the heart of the experiences of contemporary African women, highlighting the challenges they face in a patriarchal society. By mixing intrigue and reflection, Medie offers us an enriching read which will not fail to provoke discussions on questions of gender and society in Africa and elsewhere.