Book Review – Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A Triumphant Return to Fiction
After spending 12 years away from long-form fiction writing Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie published Dream Count earlier this year which follows four Nigerian women who traverse love relationships ambition and identity across different continents. The book uses the 2020 pandemic setting to study the intricate aspects of being a woman and how relationships function between women while they search for life purpose.
Meet the Women of Dream Count
The protagonist Chiamaka (Chia), who writes travel articles and is 44 years old, finds herself stuck in Maryland during the pandemic. Through her solitary confinement she reflects on her previous relationships while thinking about the social norms that she experienced in her life.
Zikora: A successful lawyer grappling with the aftermath of a surprise pregnancy and the disappearance of her boyfriend. Through her story she examines the dual struggles of being a mother while pursuing personal success.
Omelogor represents Chia’s cousin who leaves her lucrative finance career to study pornography at graduate level (yes for real). Her story sheds light on the challenges of redefining oneself amidst societal expectations.
Kadiatou (Kadi) is Chia’s housekeeper, whose narrative is inspired by real-life events, including the case of Nafissatou Diallo. Her experiences highlight issues of justice, exploitation, and resilience.
Each woman’s life story illustrates how African women experience diverse realities in both Africa and outside its borders. Through her writing Adichie presents a deep and expansive exploration of these women’s life battles and triumphs.
Here Are a Few Themes That Resonated For Me
- The Quest for Purpose
Society and personal obstacles are the primary themes of Dream Count as its characters search for meaning in their lives. All main characters must determine their positions in society as well as their professional paths and relationships. Adichie presents the purpose-seeking process as a complex non-linear path which combines outside expectations with inner desires. - The Complexity of Relationships
The book investigates human relationships through its exploration of romantic relationships as well as family connections. The characters demonstrate the complete spectrum of relationship experiences to show why people need to understand themselves better through open communication. - Cultural Identity and Diaspora
Through its dual narrative between Nigeria and the United States, Dream Count portrays the difficulties which come from living between different cultural backgrounds. The characters present dualities between traditional values and contemporary dreams which provide an insightful perspective about African people living outside their homeland.
The entire novel showcases Adichie’s exceptional storytelling abilities. The combination of relatable characters and realistic scenarios in Dream Count makes this novel highly engaging for readers. The alternating use of first and third-person perspectives within the narrative provides readers with diverse perspectives about character inner lives. Through this method readers form deep connections with each character because they gain access to their inner thoughts and emotions and understand their motivations and fears and dreams.
Reading Dream Count created an atmosphere that felt like spending time with people I had known for years. My personal experiences in life echoed the characters’ struggles because I faced similar battles to fulfill my dreams within societal boundaries and maintain friendships across long distances. Through her stories Adichie showed me the inner strength which exists within every person during times of unfamiliarity.
Through Dream Count the reader finds a literary representation of the diverse life experiences that modern African women encounter. The author’s return to fiction comes at a significant time because it delivers meaningful content about identity and purpose and interpersonal connections. The storylines within Dream Count provide readers with cultural knowledge while delivering deep characters that readers can relate to so it stands as an absolute must-read.
Have you read Dream Count? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section.
Note: This review is based on publicly available information and personal reflections. For a more in-depth analysis, readers are encouraged to explore the novel themselves.