Tomorrow I Become a Woman

By: Aiwanose Odafen

Narrated by: Nneka Okoye

What can I do?’ she asked. You can fight, I thought, you can fight for your daughters. But then again, who was I to speak of such things

When Gozie and Obianuju meet in August 1978, it is nothing short of fate. He is the perfect man: charismatic, handsome, Christian, and – most importantly – Igbo. He reminds her of her beloved Uncle Ikenna, her mother’s brother who disappeared fighting in the Civil War that devastated Nigeria less than a decade before. It is why, when Gozie asks her to marry him within months of meeting, she says yes, despite her lingering and uncertain feelings for Akin – a man her mother would never accept, as his tribe fought on the other side of the war. Akin makes her feel heard, understood, intelligent; Gozie makes her heart flutter.

For Uju, the daughter her mother never wanted, marriage would mean the attainment of that long elusive state of womanhood, and something else she has desired all her life – her mother’s approval. All will be well; he is the perfect match, the country will soon be democratic again and the economy is growing, or so she thinks …

Loosely based on the real stories of real women known to the author, Tomorrow I Become a Woman follows a complex relationship between mother and daughter as they grapple to come to terms with tremendous loss. This powerful debut by Aiwanose Odafen is a sensitive exploration of a woman’s struggle to meet societal and cultural expectations within the confines of a difficult marriage, a tribute to female friendship and a love story that spans two decades and continents against a backdrop of political turmoil and a fast-changing world.
©2022 Aiwanose Odafen (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, UK

An Emotional Rollercoaster

This book took me through all the “motions". One minute I was angry (mostly angry btw) next I was sad, then hopeful and lastly heartbroken but wow, what a debut novel!! I loved this story so much. Standing ovation for Aiwanose Odafen. Remember that name. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Unputdownable!

Loved it! Heartbreaking but a necessary read! Wonderfully written. It may make you cry, but don't let that stop you! Read to know better and do better. Enjoy!

I lived through every word of this book

This was such an incredible listen! It felt like I was in the scenes. So relatable.

I cried! I crowed! I crewed!!!


My goodness!

The only minus will be the pronunciation of names and sayings/proverbs. Would have been great to get the accent and pronunciations right. These are ways we export our culture and we should be mindful and thorough when doing that.

I hope Uju and Akin actually live with and love each other!!! As for Uju’s mum and her ex-husband, Gozie, I am judging them seriously!!!!

Lovely listen. Thank you for such a wholesome story.