Born in a House of Glass

by Chinenye Emezie

As Udonwa grows, her hidden family history changes her forever.

Let me tell you a story. It's about a war. This war is not the type fought with guns and machetes. It is a family type. A silent war. The type fought in the heart. It began long before I was formed.

Udonwa's family is at war -- a war of relationships, played out under the tyranny of a monster dad. Age twelve, Udonwa has a peculiar love for her father, Reverend Leonard Ilechukwu, who favours her but beats his wife and his other children. She sees his good after all, he pays the school fees, and tells her that she, named "the peaceful child," is the one most likely to become a doctor.

When her newly married eldest sister suddenly takes her from their family compound in Iruama, Nigeria, to live with her in Awka, Udonwa experiences violence first-hand. Later, pieces of a sinister picture emerge that shake her life to the core.

No longer the person she thought she was, Udonwa launches into a period of extreme change, and parts of her life spiral into chaos as she finds herself torn between her love for her father and an underlying need to free herself. This vivid family saga is engrossing, deeply unsettling, and finally uplifting.

Genres: Fiction, Nigeria, Literary Fiction, Africa

376 pages, Paperback

Published August 13, 2024

Reviews

[Lola · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a coming-of-age story, a genre I usually love because it shows how characters evolve and what shapes them, whether through personal history, environment, or society. That expectation is exactly why this book didn’t work for me. Although the characters grow physically, there is very little mental or emotional growth.

I understand that this may reflect the reality of many people in Nigeria, and I am not dismissing anyone’s lived experience. Still, the characters felt underdeveloped. Their actions come across as superficial, with no clear motivations behind their decisions. Every choice should have a “why,” and in this case, that was largely missing. I don’t think this is a failure to understand on my part, the depth simply wasn’t there.

Additionally, I did not connect with the author’s writing style. It didn’t draw me in or hold my attention, which made the reading experience even more disengaging.

[Chella Ireri · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: Sexual assault, rape, incest, domestic violence, homophobia, sex addiction, pedophilia

In this story we meet Udonwa, the youngest of 5 siblings living with her parents in a small village in Nigeria. We follow Udonwa as she gets older, moves away from home to her oldest sister’s home, away to Lagos for University, and into adulthood as she processes the trauma and dark secrets hiding in her family. Udonwa chooses a career, finds love, and grows into herself.

Proceed with caution - this was NOT a light read, and there was a lot of heavy stuff that was lightly glossed over in comparison to other topics… by the end I felt mentally exhausted.

Otherwise the writing was ok, there was not much description, and it was sometimes tricky to keep track of side characters. By the end of the book I still didn’t feel like I knew Udonwa very well. The plot jumped around a bit and it was hard to follow whether we’d jumped ahead in time or not. Finally, I was not satisfied with the ending - I kept flipping thinking there was a final chapter but that’s it, it just ended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for the ARC.

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written book, set in Nigeria, concerns a young woman, Udonwa, and her highly dysfunctional family. As a young child, she idolised her priest father, and detested the younger of her two elder brothers, Lincoln. She was her father’s favourite, and always saw the best in him – despite his repeated beating of her mother and other children. The father was a nasty piece of work, favouring his neighbour’s son over his own, and dictating which studies/jobs each of his children might follow, irrespective of their desires or talents. Udonwa was to be a doctor.
When her eldest sister married, she took Udonwa with her to her new home – where instead of watching her mother be beaten, Udonwa saw her sister beaten. University came as an escape from the violence.
Initially, at university, Udonwa was a model student. One of her friends describes her as ‘holier-than-thou’, as she disapproved of her friends’ propensity to partying and promiscuity.
But all that changes when Udonwa overhears her eldest sister and mother talking, and the family’s devastating secrets come out.
Udonwa’s world is blown asunder, and she goes completely off the rails. She has to confront the evil that her beloved father has done, while not destroying herself.
I did not particularly warm to Udonwa in the first part of the book. She resolutely overlooks her father’s obvious flaws (though to be fair, she doesn’t know the half of it yet) because he is nice to her, and pays the school fees. Besides, he is a respected preacher. Lincoln gets the worst treatment – which Udonwa sees as fully deserved. After the revelations, after the wild behaviour, and once Lincoln (transformed into a caring, successful young man) takes her in hand – Udonwa becomes a much more sympathetic character. Now, not everything is about her, about her betrayal, and about her pain. She is finally able to think of others.
The basic story line could have happened anywhere, but I really liked the setting of the book in Nigeria (a few chapters in South Africa), with Igbo words (exclamations) scattered throughout the text. It is a terrible story, thankfully not described in detail, but one with an eventual healing ending.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.

[doyin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished reading Born in a House of Glass, while reading this book I had to pause and just be like, "Wait, what did I just read?" Like, "What is this😳🥹 " It hits hard.
This is the kind of story that makes you sit with your thoughts for a minute.

It follows Udonwa, the youngest in a big Nigerian family that looks perfect from the outside because dad's a respected pastor, the kind of man the community looks up to. But behind closed doors, it's chaos. Abuse, secrets, denial it's heavy.

Udonwa, she starts off really looking up to her dad. She loves him. She always tries to find the perfect in his
"imperfections". Even when her siblings are side-eyeing him, she's loyal. She holds him high. But then... the truth starts to spill. Secrets come out. And everything she thought she knew? Everything she believed? It shatters.
Just like glass
.
This book touches on so much like family trauma, abuse, denial, addiction, survival, and what it means to finally open your eyes. It's about how something can look holy on the outside, but be completely rotten within. It's deep, it's heavy, and it's real.

So yeah, if you're into messy family stories, deep drama, the kind of book that will shake you to your core... this one's for you. I give it a rating of 3.5

[Ginika · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing style was very immature. The author still has a lot more to work on. The characters lacked depth. They were almost like cardboard characters and udonwa's monologues were very childish for the age she acclaimed to be .

[Dee Prenger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clunky. Rarely engaging.

[Bryna Adamo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely in awe of Born in a House of Glass. It is such a poignant and uplifting story about a girl from a small town in Nigeria and her navigation of this world as she becomes a women. You see the aftermath of what lies have built, thinking you know something to be true but in all the time you knew nothing of the truth. The tiny world that is created for a child, fractures and upends when the lies expose themselves, and what that does to the individual, cracking their framework and causing anger, doubt and sadness to fill the gaps. I am shook!

This book was so beautifully written. Udonwa is just a fantastic character that I was completely hook to see her story play out for me. I highly recommend this book. Exquisit! 5 stars

I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher ARC access to this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

[Imani Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually finished this like last week and forgot to mark it as done. Anyways another great read, was better than I anticipated, and also more tragic than I expected. I love books where we grow up with the narrator, and get to experience their mistakes and growing pains. Similar to Udonwa, I feel we're all born in a house of glass. Whether we let that free us or keep us shackled is our decision. We can't control our circumstances, but we control how much we let it define us.

[Brittany]

disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

WOOF this was.... a book. It took me on a ride that I was simply not expecting, and I read the author's note at the beginning this time! Sheesh!

"Welcome to the world, Udonwa. The world is not a fair place, especially Nigeria."

I do want to say about my content warnings: I didn't put rape or child abuse as a "graphic" content warning because it is not on-page or described in heavy detail. However, I recognize that this kind of content can be heavily triggering for folks, so even though it's not on-page, if that's too much for you to be confronted with right now, I fully respect your choice to not dive into this one. Take care of YOU baby.

This book is about Udonwa, a young Nigerian girl who goes to live with her older sister once her eldest sister Adaora gets married. Udonwa notices the small fractures in her family, but didn't feel they impacted her too much, so she still loved and cared deeply for all her siblings and her parents. However, she did see her father (a priest) perpetuated intimate partner violence against her mother, and once Udonwa goes to live with Adaora and her new husband, she witnesses more. We also see Udonwa go to university in Lagos, begin romantic relationships (with Mayokun, Chiunua, & Ifenna), and question the family she thought she knew.

This is really focused on Udonwa as a character, and jumps forward in time quite a bit. I can see how that would feel jarring, but I also appreciated it, because it gave us glimpses throughout Udonwa's adolescence and young adulthood during formative moments. She continued to fumbled, react naively or immaturely, (humanly, one would argue!) and it was fascinating to watch her question, dialogue, and grow alongside others.

The big reveal at the end was .... wild. So fucking sad. My god. I choked on my water. I don't really know what the message was of this book, or what question it asked or answered. However, I'm going to take this away: I cannot judge anyone for doing what they did to survive, especially in an environment that wanted to force you to be as small as possible to exert power over you. Anyway, again, please take care of yourself if you read this!

Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Child death and Car accident

[Roslyn Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Chinenye Emezie, and I received Born in a House of Glass as an ARC from NetGalley. The novel presents a deeply emotional and unsettling narrative that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and personal growth. Born in a House of Glass is a powerful family saga set in Nigeria. The story follows Udonwa, a young girl who idolizes her father, Reverend Leonard Ilechukwu, despite his abusive behavior towards her mother and siblings. As Udonwa grows older, she is taken away by her eldest sister to escape the violence at home. However, she soon discovers even more disturbing family secrets that shatter her perception of her father and her own identity. The novel explores themes of familial loyalty, trauma, and the struggle for personal freedom. The character development is one of the book's strongest aspects. Udonwa's journey from a naive child who adores her father to a young woman grappling with the harsh realities of her family's past is compelling and heart-wrenching. Emezie skillfully portrays Udonwa's internal conflicts and her gradual transformation as she uncovers the truth about her family. The plot is engaging, with several twists and turns that keep the reader invested. The revelations about Udonwa's father and the family's dark secrets add layers of intrigue and emotional depth to the story. The setting in Nigeria, with its cultural and social nuances, enhances the narrative and provides a vivid backdrop for the characters' struggles. Overall, Born in a House of Glass is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel. Despite its heavy themes, it offers a message of resilience and hope. Chinenye Emezie's storytelling shows great promise, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. #netgalley #borninahouseofglass

[Expat Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I was not ready for the emotional landmines and tyrant dad who doubled as a reverend slash part-time abuser in this book.

Our heroine, Udonwa, is a twelve-year-old with the enviable talent of loving her monster dad, Reverend Leonard Ilechukwu, despite his Olympic-level abuse of her mother and siblings. Leonard, who apparently moonlights as a dictator, favors Udonwa because she’s “the peaceful child” destined to become a doctor—because nothing says parental love like dictating your kid’s career while beating everyone else into submission. Udonwa’s blind adoration is so intense, it almost makes you forget the poor mother and siblings who are the real victims of this family drama. But don’t worry, the author doesn’t shy away from showing Leonard’s many faces: the charming reverend in public and the terrifying tyrant behind closed doors, complete with “lines across his forehead that looked as if an angry cat had been playing with its claws on his face” — a description that’s as vivid as it is unsettling.

Now, here’s the kicker: it takes forever to get to the point. If patience is your virtue, you’ll enjoy the slow simmer of tension as Emezie painstakingly lays out every emotional bruise, every whispered secret, and every painfully drawn-out family dinner. But if you’re like me, waiting for the narrative to break free from its glass cage felt like watching paint dry on a stained-glass window. The plot only really kicks into gear when Udonwa’s eldest sister stages a dramatic escape from the family compound in Iruama to Awka, introducing a new kind of violence at the hands of her sister’s husband. Because why have one abusive environment when you can have two? This transition is handled with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and the ensuing chaos in Udonwa’s life feels like a rollercoaster designed by a sadistic theme park engineer.

Emezie’s storytelling is a masterclass in emotional whiplash. You’ll find yourself rooting for Udonwa as she navigates her love-hate relationship with her father and the dark family secrets that unravel her identity like a badly knit sweater. The prose is beautifully written, with lines that stick to your ribs, like when Udonwa reflects, “Let me tell you a story. It's about a war. This war is not the type fought with guns and machetes. It is a family type. A silent war. The type fought in the heart.” Poetic, yes, but also a bit of a spoiler for the relentless emotional battles that follow.

The Nigerian setting adds a rich cultural backdrop that’s as colorful as it is complex, grounding the story in a vivid reality that’s both specific and universal. You get a taste of the social nuances and family dynamics that make this saga feel authentic, even if the family dysfunction is off the charts.

Why four stars and not five? Well, while the book is engrossing and deeply unsettling in all the right ways, the relentless bleakness occasionally tips into melodrama territory. Plus, Udonwa’s unwavering love for a man who clearly deserves a restraining order might test your suspension of disbelief. And, of course, the glacial pace at which the story unfolds might have you reaching for a stopwatch or a stiff drink. But hey, if you’re into family sagas where the emotional scars are as visible as the bruises, this one’s for you.

[Hikmahh_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a shocking and thought-provoking read that will shake you to the core and make you question everything. It took me on an unexpected journey, and I'm still surprised..

✨The novel portrays the intricacies of family relationships, delving into the lasting impact of trauma, secrets, and abuse. Through Udonwa's journey, I witness the complexities of family dynamics and the struggle to break free from toxic family relationships. The novel sheds light on intergenerational trauma, highlighting how family secrets and silence can perpetuate cycles of pain. Udonwa's experiences evoke a mix of emotions, from guilt and shame to anger and love, showcasing the intricate feelings that arise from complicated family relationships, ultimately leading to healing and self-discovery.

✨The book was beautifully written and I was hooked from the start. The plot was engaging with twist and suspense, that kept me eager to uncover the family dark secret creating such a havoc. The big reveal was so wild and shocking, I didn't see it coming. I tried guessing half way through the book but the reveal still left me dumb folded. The book tackles some heavy topics such as domestic violence, Complicated family relationship, Rape, and Dark family secrets.

✨It was a wonderful read and I highly recommend. However, take note of the trigger warning before reading it

[Donnakay'sBookWorld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Dundurn Press and Netgalley, for providing a copy of this book.

This novel took me on quite the unexpected journey. While the title is very applicable to the story within, I was still caught off-guard. There were so many things we learned about Udonwa and her family within these pages that left me shocked, sad, and flabbergasted. At the heart of the story is a young lady that we follow from childhood through her early adulthood years and experience her rude awakening into the realities of her family dynamic. What happens when the innocence of childhood is removed and you are unexpectedly shoved into a trauma response? How do you cope when the people you once loved and adored are made to fully bear their horrible sins in your presence? How do you cope when you reside in a society that views the sins of your family as a pronouncment of the depravity of your character? For Udo, all of these things cause a spiral away from her Christian upbringing and an uncertainty of her own identity.

This was a much heavier read than I expected, but the story kept me enthralled all the way through. Please check for trigger warnings before starting this one.

[readwithrishika · Rating 2 out of 5]

summary: so this is a narrative book about a woman living in Nigeria. this book explores her choices, her experiences, her life, and what she goes through.


footnotes: this book does mention Igbo a lot, which is a language in Nigeria. There are lots of words/phrases the author doesn't give a translation for, which you will have to translate yourself.

thoughts: i thought the first 25% of this book was interesting, and had some plot. after that, the book went downhill. firstly, the main character is telling us about only herself and her choices. i disagreed with a lot of choices she made, and she never explained them. the other people mentioned in this book are also not explained at all. we get to see what they do, but we never get an explanation as to why they do it. the author writes in a very brash, condescending way that shows she has no respect for the reader or other people mentioned in the book. overall, i found myself frustrated and dragged along for the majority of this book. i would not recommend it.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

|| BORN IN A HOUSE OF GLASS ||
#gifted @dundurnpress
Publishes July 16th
✍🏻
A well written, gripping story of self discovery, love and survival as a young girl becomes a woman. Set in Nigeria, Udonwa has a peculiar love for her father a reverend, he tends to favors her but is a monstrous man to his wife and other children. When her eldest sister marries and takes Udonwa with her away from the family compound she experiences violence first hand which later bring up things that make her question everything about who she thought she was. She struggles to free herself from her love for her father and her need for freedom.

I couldn't put this down! A wonderful story with heavy themes, like domestic violence, trauma, abuse and complicated family relationships. I loved the character growth, it was so compelling. Seeking out more African books is something I have been trying to do, this is set in Nigeria and includes Igboo language which I thought was wonderful. I highly reccomend this one but know it isn't a light read.


For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong

[Christiana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think the author was aiming for a story similar to Adanna by Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi. However, while Adanna had a solid plot and storyline, this book felt all over the place.

First, it wasn’t realistic, I struggled to picture the plot. A reverend repeatedly rapes his daughter, gets her pregnant, attempts to rape another daughter, constantly beats his wife and sons, and yet somehow, he lives a fulfilling life and dies with his reputation intact. His wife not only knows about the abuse but also covers for him, even lying to the world that the child born from incest is their youngest. Meanwhile, the daughter/granddaughter bears all the trauma he should have suffered.
I was hoping to the very end that there’ll be some sort of justice but nah, for a pedophile he had a very good end.

I know everyone wants to write about trauma, but trauma is not for everyone
The plot was messy, and not in a good way. The characters lacked depth, and it was hard to connect with them. Finishing this book was a challenge.
I hope she her other books are better than this.

[Erin Sparkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Udonwa’s family has been at war for longer then she can remember. Their house is full of fear, anger, pain, terror, and somehow there is still love tucked into the cracks. All families have secrets and when her family’s come spilling out it will shake the very foundation of who she believes herself to be.

I have always loved books about complicated family relationships, and this book really digs into an incredibly complicated family. I think Chinenye Emezie showcases a lot of differing perspectives and beliefs that grow and change in most of the characters without seeming to judge or condemn them. The topics explored in this book are emotionally complicated and not once are they ever treated as less then that.

Thank you to Dundurn Press and Netgalley for letting me review this book. Releasing Aug 13 2024

The topics and situations in this book might be upsetting to some readers.

[Kayla Boss · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank you @netgalley and @dundurnpress for the review copy! Born in a House of Glass comes out on August 13th!

cw: incest, child rape and sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, homophobia, abortion

a contemporary fiction novel written by a Nigerian author, that explores a young woman’s coming-of-age, of finding herself once she truly begins to confront long buried family secrets. this is for the book lovers who enjoy fast-paced, plot heavy reads with straightforward language

for me, it didn’t hit as hard as it could have - I love the idea of the plot and what this novel represents, but the lack of descriptive language left it feeling flat for me. i didn’t feel emotionally connected to the characters or the plot, even though very heavy topics are explored

[Caroline Nyakata · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a wonderful novel that is thought-provoking as it addresses social issues many Africans go through and experience.

The book focuses on Udonwa and her family, which is at war. She loves her father, who she has put on a pedestal, the same father that mistreats the rest of the family as well as being abusive to her mother. Her love for her father diminishes one fateful day when she overhears her mother and elder sister discussing a secret that concerns her, leading her spiral out of control as she runs away from confronting the issue.

Quotes from the book that stood out
"A learned skill is superior to magic tricks."
"The past is there for reflection and correction, but never to regret."

[Cherry Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝒜𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝓈𝓀 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃, 𝒩𝒾𝑔𝑒𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝓌𝓇𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈, 𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓀𝒶𝓎 𝒶𝓉 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒?…𝐵𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓌… 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝓉𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝒾𝓉!🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️.

𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🤷🏾‍♀️🙆🏿‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️/𝟧.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐔𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐚, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰. 𝐀𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐔𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰. 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐰, 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Thoughts.. Wait!! A whole reverend father!!🤦🏾‍♀️

#borninahouseofglass #chinenyeemezieauthor

[Aryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher, and I will admit that I initially put off reading it. It sounded good but a bit dark when I chose to download the file, and then the darkness wasn't something I was in the mood for. But then I actually read the book. Yes, it has decidedly darker moments and can get a bit gritty, as books about family secrets often do. Udonwa is not flawless, and sometimes she isn’t all that likeable. On balance, however, I found this book hard to put down and ultimately a positive read. A book club that likes to take on weighty subjects will find plenty to discuss.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunting debut by Chinenye Emezie that follows the story of Udonwa, a young Nigerian girl, as she grows into adulthood and learns the dark secrets her family has tried to keep from her.

I went into this not knowing what to expect. The subject matter is unsettling and it is certainly not an easy read, but ultimately this is a story of a young woman coming to terms with her past and learning to love herself in spite of it.

Thank you to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release date: 13 Aug, 2024

TW: Domestic abuse, rape

[Christa Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly beautiful story, although beautiful should not be meant to mean happy. Udonwa was born into chaos and silent warfare between family members, some of whom have caused irreparable harm to each other. As she gets older and gains worldly experience, she uncovers dark secrets that shake her perception of reality and identity. She is a strong realistic character who has good moments and bad moments, and who longs for freedom from her scarred past. She's someone you want to root for, even if the journey to peace isn't sunshine and rainbows. Great read, thank you NetGalley!

[Carolina Familia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️’s My review in point form 😃:
-very difficult topics introduced
-confused up until the last part
-not your typical romance but more realistic and stronger
-all the truths came out at the end but i had no forewarning of them in the beginning (if i hadn’t read the Forward)
-made me want to analyze my own relationship with my parents and see where I might be holding them on a higher pedestal then needed
-enjoyed the Nigerian speech and banter

Thank you to Netgalley and Dundurn Press for the Advanced copy of this book.

[AJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I thought about this book at the beginning and at the end are vastly different.

I usually enjoy Nigerian books with heavy/dark themes because they’re reflective of what goes on here but however I found it hard to connect with Udonwa or any other character in fact. Everything felt very surface level and not descriptive enough.

At a point the time jumps were annoying because they usually led to new parts of the story without any reference previously.

Udonwa was also very self righteous and judgmental. I also hated how naive she was.

[Enid Wray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid enough read but it just didn’t have the magic - the beautiful prose and compelling storylines - of titles like Butter Honey Pig Bread (Nigerian Canadian) or The Fisherman (Nigerian American).

I look forward to what this author has to offer us next.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital arc. Apologies for the delay in getting this post up.

[Ayanfe Oseni · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first the book was engaging and I was loving it until I got to about one-third of the book and realized I had a long way to go yet so much had happened. The buildup of the characters was good at the beginning with a normal pace but towards the middle and end of the book, it became too lengthy. I thought it was too drawn out and I got tired of it. If you’re into Africa Magic Epic kind of movies then this book is definitely for you.

[Destiny Chappel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Udonwa lives in a family who is at war. Her beloved father Reverend Leonard favours her but beats his wife and his other children. One day , her eldest sister gets married and takes her from their family compound in Iruama, Nigeria, to live with her in Awka. Udonwa life changes and spirals out of control . This book covers heavy topics like domestic violence, and depression. I recommend this book

[Mike Broderick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first third of this book did not catch me. It was okay, but it did not work. Then, the big secret comes out, and it is quite good from that point on.
This is a story that sadly happens in our world.
The content is quite serious and the reactions of the characters and realistic.
Overall, the writing is decent, the story is compelling.
I enjoyed it.

[Fatiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omoo, it was a sweet ride.
I still find it hard to accept how Papa Adaora died, that man deserves hell directly from heart. And the confrontation was somehow because he was on his deathbed already. Ifenna's came with some kind of mixed feelings for me, but sha he deserves it. Abeggi

Thank God for the gift of Chinua in the book.