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Daughters Who Walk This Path: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.08) - 145 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
An authentic, wrenching novel chronicling a young girl's coming of age in turbulent, bustling, contemporary Nigeria
Spirited and intelligent, Morayo grows up surrounded by school friends and family in busy, modern-day Ibadan. An adoring little sister, their traditional parents, and a host of aunties and cousins make Morayo's home their own, so there's nothing unusual about her charming but troubled cousin, Bros T, moving in with the family. At first Morayo and her sister are delighted, but in her innocence, nothing prepares Morayo for the shameful secret Bros T forces upon her.
Thrust into a web of oppressive silence woven by the adults around her, Morayo must learn to protect herself and her sister from a legacy of silence shared by the women in her family. Only her Aunt Morenike provides Morayo with a safe home and a sense of female community that sustains her as she develops into a young woman in a bustling, politically charged, and often violent country.
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"Contemporary Nigeria, trying to survive and thrive in a patriarchal society, Morayo and her younger sister are girls who live with their family in a middle class existence. Although dictators come and go very little political information is relayed in this book, though missing girls and burnt buses are occasionally mentioned. The author's focus is more on the changing faces and societal issues of this country. As always when reading a novel about a country I am unfamiliar with I am amazed that rape goes on in the best of homes, with cousins or trusted friends and so little is done about this situation. I loved the characters, especially Aunt Morenike, who was the most understanding and endearing of characters. Families are large and close, all cousins are brothers and sisters, parents are parents to all. I loved the closeness between the woman, learning about their culture and the love between the sisters. The prose is very matter of fact but well done and the story flowed well. Overall I really enjoyed this book and loved that is showcased the women of this country."
— Diane (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Kilanko’s courageous characters reveal how young women bear their coming-of-age, and then they learn to tell.”
— Kim Echlin, Giller Prize–nominated author -
“Those who enjoy literary fiction will fall in love with Claudia Alick’s energetic narration of a complex story. Set in a traditional Nigerian household, the novel includes a myriad of women—from aunties, to grandmothers, and the protagonist herself. Yet there’s never a moment one feels lost. Alick brings the Nigerian characters to life with authentic diction and a lively cadence, and her treatment of the dialogue keeps the listener engaged. She brings out the full dramatic potential of the richly developed plot, reading with feeling the moments that affect the child protagonist. The listener is in capable hands throughout this story of tradition and betrayal in modern-day Nigeria.”
— AudioFile -
“Though the subject of her novel is one that’ll typically make us avert our eyes, Yejide Kilanko combines an unflinching gaze, a tender heart and a gift for lyrical storytelling. Daughters Who Walk This Path is a necessary book.”
— E. C. Osondu, Caine Prize–winning author -
“A welcome and much needed chronicle of family politics in contemporary Nigeria.”
— Sefi Atta, award-winning author of Everything Good Will Come -
“Daughters Who Walk This Path is a subtle yet complex exploration of what it means to be a young woman, growing up in contemporary Nigeria. Kilanko does not shy away from tough subjects. Just as importantly, she does not sensationalize them. This is a delightful, haunting book from a very talented writer.”
— Chika Unigwe, author of On Black Sisters’ Street -
“Kilanko’s characters are affecting and admirable; her storytelling agile and persuasive; her dialogue convincing and funny. Kilanko’s primary job in social work and child protection allows her a deep understanding of victimization. She leaves us with a sense of a Nigerian woman’s heroism in the face of social prejudice. Morayo and her aunt Morenike walked us down a path we hope we will be able to meet them on again.”
— Toronto Star -
“Morayo’s story is universal, and women around the world will relate.”
— Winnipeg Free Press -
“Ultimately, Daughters Who Walk This Path is an unflinching representation of the attitudes that existed—and in some places still do exist—toward victims of sexual assault. Kilanko’s true accomplishment is to give readers access to the women’s pain and, sometimes, their redemption.”
— Globe and Mail (Toronto) -
“Kilanko’s telling of these hardships is matter-of-fact and plainly written, letting the drama of the narrative take center stage…Claudia Alick narrates Daughters Who Walk This Path, and her reading is fluent, gliding through Nigerian place and character names without a stumble. Alick is enthusiastic and effusive, and listeners will be able to hear the smile on her face during the times of joy and the tears at the too-often times of pain.”
— SoundCommentary.com
Daughters Who Walk This Path Listener Reviews
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" I really enjoyed this insight into more modern life in Africa. So many novels I read about African life are set back in time. It had an interesting mix of modern and tradition. The characters were beautifully portrayed and weren't perfect, I enjoyed their flaw. Great read for our book club. "
— Amberlori, 1/5/2014 -
" This is a quality read - it's been a while since I've had the time to really get absorbed into a piece of work and this has been the perfect read to get back into it. So far, fabulous writing and it's opening my mind to a culture I don't know very much about, which is even better. "
— Navjot, 1/1/2014 -
" How can a novel about such serious issues be written in such a horrible, wooden, cutesy voice? Like reading a book co-written by Hallmark and Full House scriptwriters about rape. "
— aya, 12/30/2013 -
" Good coming of age story. I preferred the first half of the book to the last half. "
— Susan, 12/7/2013 -
" A very moving book. I felt connected to the characters, and I think it's good for people to understand how people other than the "upper white crust" lives. "
— Nikki, 11/16/2013 -
" Very well written and communicates deeply the rawness of life and the power of hope in the midst of great pain. "
— Andrew, 11/15/2013 -
" I absolutely loved this book. It was well written. Plus I love the ending. "
— Kellice, 9/25/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book, I found it very interesting with the setting in modern day Nigeria. It explores the issues of male dominance in society and how these women adapt to this world. It also shows the strength of the bond between women which is strong in any culture. "
— Joanne, 7/14/2013 -
" The first part of the book is hard to read because of the horrific experiences the characters endure but the book is very well written and has a very sweet ending. "
— Pamela, 5/21/2013 -
" Amazing book. I could not put it down. I have never cried this much with any book. "
— Shashiface, 2/2/2013
About Yejide Kilanko
Yejide Kilanko was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, the daughter of a university professor and his wife. She married an American computer programmer and immigrated to Laurel, Maryland. Kilanko is now a social worker in children’s mental health and lives in Canada. Daughters Who Walk This Path is her first novel.
About Claudia Alick
Claudia Alick is a playwright, stage actress, writer, producer, and teacher. She is the Artistic Director of Smokin Word Production, a theater, recording, and small press company dedicated to building the new genre of spoken word and hip-hop theater. American Theatre magazine identified her as one of the twenty-five theater artists who will shape American theater in the next twenty-five years.