Growing up, some books had us completely hooked, while others terrified us beyond words.
As kids, we were fascinated, shocked, and sometimes left emotionally scarred by the stories we read. But now, as adults, it’s time to go back, reanalyze, and truly ask ourselves, were our reactions justified, or were we simply too dramatic back then?
On the top of the list is one book that every Nigerian child read while growing up. If you didn’t read it, I no sabi for you ooo.
1. Sugar Girl (Ralia the sugar girl) By Kola Onadipe
Reading this book again everything just dey vex me!
Why would Ralia be pursuing a bird inside the bush? Ralia you no see say night don come?
To think of it, why was she even allowed to get firewood by herself, no good Samaritan in the village to help her? omooo.
The story of Ralia is definitely giving a mixture of Ariel, and Hansel and Gretel.
What about the black and white image of the old witch in the book? Haaa that was a bit too scary for children na, it gave us premium nightmares.
No, we didn’t have the boogie man or any of the western scary monsters in Nigeria, but we had the old witch in Ralia’s story and that was enough!
I used to feel bad for Ralia as a child, but right now, even Ralia sef deserves cane, because why would you run off with a bird, as a Nigerian!
We no dey do that one for here
A solid 10/10 still!
2. A Woman in Her Prime By Asare Komadu
Reading this story in this new age of feminism and “not every woman wants kids”, Pokuwaa went through a lot!
From one sacrifice to another, omo it was just a lot to pay for childlessness.
If there’s ever been a character who deserved peace, it’s Pokuwaa from A Woman in Her Prime.
If we could have a one-on-one chat with her today, we’d praise her for being a hardworking woman with wealth, respect, a good standing in her society and beauty!
She actually deserved better.
I was sad for Pokuwaa as a child and reading this now, i still feel ver sad for her abeg! The feeling then was and still is valid!
3. Purple Hibiscus By Chimamanda Adichie
I hones6tly felt bad for the whole family, having a father like Eugene.
Imagine getting whipped and punished because you refused to take communion, now that’s brutal.
honestly, I think they waited too long to take him out! He was just too rigid and annoying, even to the point of calling his own father a pagan!
Oh, and I was rooting for Kambili and Father Amadi, like girlll, go get your man! The chemistry was giving forbidden love in the best way.
Kambili deserved some happiness after everything she endured, and honestly? We were sat for their love story!
And Jaja? That’s a real one right there.
He took the fall for his mother without hesitation, proving he was the strongest character in that house. But wow, who would have thought that their quiet, obedient mother had that kind of power move in her?
I had mixed feelings reading this then and I still had mixed feeling reading it again as an adult.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delivered excellence with this novel, taking us through a rollercoaster of emotions that sticks with you long after you turn the last page.
A solid 10/10.
4. The Joys of motherhood by Buchi Emecheta
Reading this book, i had to just sit at some point and say, ‘Omo this woman suppose collect minister of suffer head’.
They carried all the hardship in the world and put it on her head, poor woman.
I’ve never seen someone go through as much as Nnuego in the book. From the first page to the last, there was no break, no relief, just back-to-back stress.
If na so motherhood dey be, we no want ooo.
The classic African woman sufferhead is exactly what this book is about. where she is taught that her entire worth is tied to marriage and children, but at what cost?!
While reading the book, I screamed “God abeg” like 70 times because what is this level of suffering?
She didn’t even get to have a happy ending.
In this powerful and emotional book, Buchi Emecheta showed us reality without sugar-coating.
5. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
First things first, Oliver risked his life over porridge. PORRIDGE! He knew that asking for more food could get him punished, yet he still stepped forward with his legendary request:
“Please, sir, I want some more.” Omo Oliver Twist, you sef you too do.
He should have just eaten the one they gave him in peace. This book took us on a veryy verry long journey!
You think you know what japa is about? well, think again, because he is the founding father of japa.
Between Oliver Twist and Nnuego in joys of motherhood, i no know who suffer pass.
Charles Dickens created a long-lasting impression with this character, that even D’banj had to write a whole song about it.
After reading these books from the perspective of an adult, I can clearly and categorically say that our feelings as kids were valid!
These books are sad, they’re scary, but will we stop reading? No, No…We can’t turn back now.
The tears, the pain, the hurt, the scare, all valid! 10/10 minus nothing or maybe, minus 2, because they ateeee (8).
