Ayobami Adebayo is a talented Nigerian author who rose to prominence with her highly acclaimed debut novel. Today, she returns with a brand new book entitled “In the Time of the Damned and the Blessed”, which explores political and social themes in contemporary Nigeria.
In this novel, Adebayo tells the story of two families whose destinies will cross, thus offering a look at Nigerian society and its inequalities. The author addresses subjects such as corruption, power relations between men and women, as well as ethnic and social violence. It is a committed and political book which seeks to analyze the consequences of these issues on the lives of the protagonists.
Social advancement is one of the central themes of this novel. Adebayo explores the question of whether the upward mobility really works in Nigeria, particularly for those who grew up in poverty and misery. It also highlights the impact of political choices on citizens, focusing on the character of Eniola, from a downclassed family.
This novel is a profound reflection on Nigerian society and offers a unique perspective on what it means to be Nigerian today. Adebayo also refers to other contemporary Nigerian authors through the title of each part of his book, thus creating an intertextual network of universes and imaginations.
“In the Time of the Damned and the Blessed” is a captivating book, which skillfully blends fiction and reality to offer a nuanced vision of Nigerian society. Ayobami Adebayo thus confirms her talent as a promising writer and immerses us in a story rich in emotions and reflections. This novel is not to be missed for all lovers of contemporary Nigerian literature.