Where We End and Begin
If you enjoy romance novels that take you back home to Nigeria, this book is for you. Where We End and Begin, written by Jane Igharo, was comforting, nostalgic, and filled with twists and turns. The main characters are Dunni, a Yoruba girl from a wealthy family who falls in love with Obinna, an Igbo boy from a low-income family. This emotional, romantic journey covers cultural differences, socioeconomic status, blood, covenants, and family dynamics.
I enjoyed how the chapters in the book flip-flop from the present to the past, unveiling their love story and separation. Each chapter gives you a piece of the puzzle that paints a picture of their story. There are multi-generational components, such as how our parent's or grandparents' decisions influence our life decisions. The flight also covers migration or what we call "Japa" add its effects on family relationships. The author incorporated some pidgin English and wrote seamlessly and captivatingly.
My two critiques of this novel are that some of the dialogue between the characters sounded very therapeutic and unnatural for people to engage in. And I wish the author spread the plot twists more evenly throughout the book because the exciting part of the story felt rushed toward the end. Overall, I enjoyed this book and finished it in under two weeks, and I highly recommend it.
