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A Spell of Good Things

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A Spell of Good Things

By: Ayobami Adebayo
Narrated by: Ore Apampa, Babajide Oyekunle
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About this listen

LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023

MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2023: the Observer, Guardian, Financial Times, Stylist, the Express and Oprah Daily

Ayòbámi Adébáyò, the Women's Prize-shortlisted author of Stay With Me, unveils a dazzling story of modern Nigeria and two families caught in the riptides of wealth, power, romantic obsession and political corruption.

Eniola is tall for his age, a boy who looks like a man. His father has lost his job, so Eniola spends his days running errands for the local tailor, collecting newspapers and begging, dreaming of a big future.

Wuraola is a golden girl, the perfect child of a wealthy family. Now an exhausted young doctor in her first year of practice, she is beloved by Kunle, the volatile son of family friends.

When a local politician takes an interest in Eniola and sudden violence shatters a family party, Wuraola and Eniola's lives become intertwined. In this breathtaking novel, Ayòbámi Adébáyò shines her light on Nigeria, on the gaping divide between the haves and the have-nots, and the shared humanity that lives in between.

©2023 Ayobami Adebayo (P)2023 Canongate Books Black Creators Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political World Literature Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking Africa

Critic reviews

"A moving story, skilfully told, about Eniola, a boy whose future has been snatched away from him, and Wuraola, a talented, overworked junior doctor, whose intertwined narratives combine to produce an insightful portrait of an unequal and deeply divided society moving towards a terrible crisis. A Spell of Good Things is both gripping and memorable." (Pat Barker)

"Adebayo’s mesmerizing prose is suffused with heart and sharp emotions. Every page of this book was a pleasure to read. Even the hard parts. A Spell of Good Things is a triumph of storytelling." (Chika Unigwe)

"All characters matter in Ayobami Adebayo’s intricate, haunting and timely fictional exploration of classism and sexism set in Nigeria’s election season." (Sefi Atta)
All stars
Most relevant
Really brilliantly written and narrated. The story is fascinating and addresses several long persistent key societal issues, such as domestic violence, poverty, depression etc.
I didn’t care so much for the gruesome ending though.

Fascinating

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I absolutely enjoyed listening to this book especially as it was narrated by Yoruba speakers who could pronounce the words, nuances and intonation properly.

Eniola’s story was sad but nostalgic when it was the school setting (I actually visualised a lot of the school scenes)… Wuraola’s story caught my attention quite late in the book, it was when we realised she was experiencing abuse from her partner that I got interested in her story.

Eniola’s ending was a bit confusing where it says his sister is still missing but earlier in the story, I thought they saw her at the morgue (where Eniola and Wuraola met). Overall, the narration of the book really brought it alive.

Narrated by Yoruba speakers

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the story was not complete. I think it was cut short cos there was no end

storyline

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The narration was good, apologies for the bad pronunciation which I didn’t notice not being Nigerian. Interesting insight into society and problems there. Not the most gripping read, more of a slow burn but enjoyed all the same

Enjoyed if a slow burn

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Was expecting more from this book. Disappointing ending. Didn’t answer questions I needed answering. Average

Disappointed

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