Wonderful book, just wonderful! ( )

Nigerian-born Kilanko has written a novel that really brings home some harsh realities of a nation plagued with violence, political unrest and an abhorrent abuse of power that knows no boundaries: The rape of female children by male members of their family/community known to them. For a debut novel, Kilanko manages to convey the good with the bad. The strength to move forward in the face of adversity. The ability to climb above and shine when the world seemed so dark and unfriendly. She also does a wonderful job presented a very conflicted Nigeria: A world of denim jeans and penny loafers, of university educations, of cell phones and expensive cars along with very traditional customs, beliefs and stigmas. The story follows Morayo over twenty years, starting when she was a young girl of five, greeting her albino sister into the world. The voice of the young Morayo is well done. I struggled a little bit with the older Morayo and found her less accessible as a character. Overall, this was a good read. It could have been a very depressing read given the events that play out, but Kilanko keeps a ray of light shining through the turbulence, as a reminder that even in the darkness, hope and belief in yourself can make a difference. ( )

this is an incredibly strong debut novel from a very talented writer! i found kilanko's style beautiful, and though she is dealing with some very difficult, heartbreaking subjects, i was left feeling hopeful at the end. i even had my eyes well up with tears twice in the last part of the story - something that is a fairly rare occurrence for me when i read. (kilanko is not sappy or sentimental, though.)

i think what is so powerful about this novel is the idea that, while the events are specific to the characters kilanko has created, the subjects are truly universal - particularly in regard to rape.(how kilanko portrayed the various reactions, behaviours, and emotions was, i thought, very well done.) there are some powerful, supportive women in daughters who walk this path, so the idea of an important network of female family and friends was something i truly enjoyed experiencing. the novel is set during contemporary times in nigeria, but there are still strong traditional values and tribal lines. many things continue to be a struggle for women, including their safety, and society is portrayed as quite patriarchal still.

and yet, there is hope.

note to remember: mentioned in the book is nadine gordimer's Burger's Daughter (noted as one of auntie morenike's favourite books). have to read that now.) :) ( )

This story follows the life of Morayo, a young girl growing up in the city of Ibadan. Her little sister Eniayo is albino, and she has to deal with a certain amount of ridicule and discrimination due to her condition, especially since it is believed that albino children bring bad luck, or are a symbol of God's punishment on the family.

There is a tragic event involving Morayo and her cousin Bros T which leaves her world shaken, but she recovers with the help of her aunt Morenike, who herself suffered a tragic event as a teenager.

I loved the way this book gave me a taste of the culture and lifestyles of the people of Nigeria. There is a formality to relationships, and I found myself sort of enamored with the way that the younger people bow down and prostrate themselves in greeting and respect to their elders. Even the way that wives and husbands refer to one another.

My final word: A sweet and tragic exploration of the Nigerian culture through the eyes of a young girl growing into a woman. ( )

Title: Daughters Who Walk This Path
Author: Yejide Kilanko
Publisher: Penguin Canada
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4.5
Review:

"Daughters Who Walk This Path" by Yejide Kilanko.....

"Spirited and intelligent, Morayo grows up surrounded by school friends and family in busy, modern-day Ibadan, Nigeria. 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 fiercely protect herself and her sister from a legacy of silence many women in Morayo's family share. Only Aunty Morenike—once shielded by her own mother—provides Morayo with a safe home and a sense of female community that sustains her as she grows into a young woman in bustling, politically charged, often violent Nigeria."

What I gathered from the read....

I found from reading "Daughters Who Walk This Path" was a well written story about 'family, friendship, community and personal courage." I like how the author used a 'Nigerian proverb' at the beginning of each chapter which enhanced what was involving around this story's growth into adulthood. You will be caught up in the read as this author shares with the reader a thought provoking and private moments that come up for this young girl named Morayo and her sister Eniayo who happened to be born an albino. From the read we find that some of the relatives gave the family a hard time about this albino child. I found it real interesting how people seemed to come and go out of this family's life and then there was that troubled spoiled cousin who proved to be really horrible being the one who would ... I will stop at this point not wanting to spoil it. I will say at this point in the read I didn't understand the reasoning of Morayo's parents with there silence and secrets. It was interesting seeing how the story was well presented with what had happened to Morayo...'the big secret' that almost destroyed her but thank God for their being a family member (aunt Morenike) that was able to come in having gone through similar experiences and helped Morayo bear her burden and help hold this family together. This story was well presented and this was one of my favorite parts of the read.

I loved this author's storyline as well as the style of writing showing intensed drama and suspense. This is this author's first novel and I believe it was done very well written definite giving the readers signs of a 'gentle, caring and insightful type of read. As you read "Daughters Who Walk This Path" you will be quickly drawn into this family's 'community, culture and sisterhood.' I did find a few words (Nigerian names)that I could not pronounce but that was OK I was still able to understand what was going on in the read. I also found one chapter a little different when the author dived into the political realm, but all in all it came out a good read.

I found the main characters were well developed, believable, intriguing and therefore we got a captivating read that will keep your attention that has so much intensed emotions as well as experiences. It was really good to see the main heroine as she journeys to womanhood having overcome some much difficult times in her life .now being able to establish some lasting friendship, move through some difficult relationships with men and most of all heal from sexual abuse that had been place on her. I love seeing as the story progressed there being a beautiful relationship that was inspired by these woman as they share their bonds.

This author really goes into depth conveying the moral fundamental questions that should be applied to young children and teens in that there should be a stand taken against domestic and sexual violence.

What I really loved from the read....

"Daughters Who Walk This Path" was a story of a this young woman's emotional life's journey and all that she had endured from this traumatic ordeal to become the woman she became....a successful adult. Even though a lot of the read was said I still found this read quite interesting of cultures of other countries as was presented from this [Ibadan, Africa] experience. ( )