Everything Good Will Come by Sefi Atta.
Why are most Nigerian readers so obsessed on self-help books while underestimating the powers of fiction?
Hello Book Friend,
I actually have a special announcement for you at the end of this blog post.
This week, I struggled to decide what to read . The first several books I chose were either boring or confusing to me. All of that changed on Tuesday when I began reading Sefi Atta's Everything Good Will Come. From the book's title through its first pages, I was captivated by this priceless work of fiction.
I haven't read any fiction in a very long time. I've been reading more memoirs and inspirational books. As I read Everything Good I Come, I began to question why most Nigerian readers are so obsessed on self-help books while underestimating the wonders of fiction.
A closer examination of the majority of Nigerian readers reveals that we frequently favor non-fiction. You can typically find us reading books that advance our knowledge of our world, our professions, and our capacity for productivity.
It's interesting—and perhaps a little counterintuitive—that reading fiction can offer many of the same advantages for self-improvement, even while one explores imaginary worlds through fictional works.
Like these tweets below.
What are the benefits of reading fictions?
Reading fiction helps you develop empathy, keeps you entertained, and sharpens your memory. Additionally, reading fiction broadens your horizons, expands your vocabulary, and fosters creativity. I have been luck to read numerous works of fiction and "Everything Good will come" by Sefi Atta, happens to be one of them.
When you spend some time to read fiction, do you see a difference in yourself? What are some of favourite works of fiction?
Please share all of your opinions and suggestions in the comments section.
What is "Everything good will come" about.
"Everything Good Will Come" is a 324-paged novel that was released in 2005. Enitan Taiwo's life is followed as she matures in postcolonial Nigeria and England in this coming-of-age book. Enitan and her childhood friend Sheri Bakare experience grief, abuse, and rape while attempting to make a better life for themselves in the newly independent state of Nigeria as it falls into a series of political instability (the Civil war and succession of military coups). The work also sheds light on ethnic tensions in Nigeria, the majority of which was brought on by the Biafran War.
No spoilers!
Why do I like "Everything good will come."
The book's title is fantastic. It arouses optimism. In this novel, the notion of friendship really speaks to me. Even though it was considered to be a natural taboo, we observed Enitan and Sheri form genuine friendship from a young age. Even though they stopped communicating while Enitan was a student in England, they eventually ran into one other and rekindled their friendship. Despite their differences, they exhibited a spirit of sisterhood.
This book introduced me to a new perspective on what is known as Nigerian feminist literature, which is why I admire it. Reading this book reminded me of Buchi Emecheta's, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's, writings. In 1971, where the book first begins, Enitan is in her mid-teens. She has spent her whole life in Lagos, Nigeria, a place where women are compelled to accept patriarchal standards in both politics and society. Enitan has never been a fan of the excessive power given to Nigerian men.
Enitan and Sheri made the decision to defy social expectations and were quite comfortable with who they were. Enitan did not shrink to fit into the ideal wife narrative, and Sheri did not let a previous event determine her worth and destiny. Enitan's political activism in calling for her father's release after he was detained for speaking out against the military administration (despite being pregnant) inspired me. Enitan looks forward to defending women's rights to decide their own lives and create identities free from male control at the end of the book.
I also picked up on the book's theme of rape . When Sheri was verbally abused and viciously raped by three guys at a party, their young lives were abruptly changed. After seeing Sheri being raped, Enitan loses trust in men. Sheri ultimately tries to have her own abortion, which has caused her serious harm.
The book heavily emphasizes the issue of family imbalance. Enitan was raised in a dysfunctional home by a controlling and religious mother and a distant, avoidant father. Her parents forbid her from partaking in the majority of the activities her contemporaries enjoy since she loses her brother at a young age, and the event leaves them deeply traumatized. The confinement of Enitan brings forth a rebellious side in her.
The work deserves appreciation for how it depicted postcolonial Nigeria. This novel, in my opinion, is a post-colonial "Things Fall Apart." The narrative walks us through Nigeria's post-independence history. It resembles a brief history of Nigeria. It was depressing to realize that a work set at least 40 years prior felt so familiar and that Sefi Atta almost seemed to be writing about the Nigeria of today. There has been no change; not the use of excessive force by the police, the illegal detention and arrest of civilians, the decay of essential social services, the declining economy, and poor administration in general. Not even the pattern of how the government silences its citizens has altered.
In the book, a number of military governments crack down on pro-democracy groups, reminds readers of the Endsars protest in October 2020. Hmm, "may everything good come."
As it wasn't entirely depressing, I also found this book to be humorous. Sefi Atta shared scenarios and statements that provoked sardonic laughter. The novel has won several major awards, including the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa. Every Nigerian should read this book.
Onyeka Ijeaoma is one of my many book friends, this is what she said about the book:
Born in Nigeria and raised in the US, Sefi Atta is a novelist, short story writer, playwright, and screenwriter. She has won numerous accolades.
Her other books include:
• Everything good will come (2005)
• Short Stories by 16 Nigerian women (2005)
• Swallow (2008)
• The Bead collector (2018)
• News from home(2009)
• It is my turn! Roman(2010)
• Sefi Atta: Selected play(2019)
• A Bit of difference ( 2012).
• Lawless and other stories
• The Bad immigrant.
• Renewal: An essay from the collection of this our country.
Have you read a book by Sefi Atta?
Special announcement.
Dear Readers,
Kindly note, the name Reader's Journal will now be used for this area. Here, we discuss good books, honor writers, and publish weekly book reviews. Everything here is about books!
Thank you for growing with us on this reading journey.
Everything Good Will Eventually Come,
Christopher.
I loved your stance on how the very act of reading is enough self development. People try to feel superior to other because they only read bon fiction meanwhile, reading fiction gives the same benefits. It's all about perspective.
And I loved your review of Everything Good will come. I'm big on books about friendships and this is definitely one of my top reads. Well done, Chris!
Pleasure to the mind..kudos to you!