An enjoyable book of short stories that was an easy and interesting read, which I completed in a single sitting.

As with most short story collections, I enjoyed some more than others. The ones I enjoyed most were quite simple stories which explored family relationships, I didn’t enjoy the ones that seemed to touch on sci-fi/dystopian future type themes - although the themes were interesting, I didn’t feel that they were as explored as they could have been (possibly would’ve been better off as longer stories/entire novels).

I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.

Wonderful collection of short stories that were relatable even though most were based in Africa or the US. Combining contemporary setting with magic and myth. My favourite story was "Who Will Welcome You Home" where the women in this world create their babies with inanimate materials, such as wool or mud, before their child becomes a real baby. It give such a sense of desperation and the class divide between woman who make their babies of rubbish or porcelain, those who can keep their child safe and those who can't. It resonates on so many levels.
The other short stories all contain stories that hinge on pivotal moments in everyday lives that make this collection extraordinary.
I would definitely recommend this for reading groups.

This collection of short stories took me by surprise. Not happy tales, yet not unremittingly bleak either, they feature girls whose lives are blighted by circumstance, poverty, family expectation, all manner of difficulty, and are told with an eloquence, passion and wit that I found riveting.

They include some unusual and darkly surreal scenarios, especially ‘Who will greet you at home’ in which a girl fashions substitute babies from materials to hand - mud, leaves, wool and, perilously, human hair - with horrifying results. I’m unlikely to forget the images from this one.

A couple of lovely passages appealed to me particularly:

‘…before she quiets in a country that rewards her brand of boldness, in her black of body, with an incredulous fascination that makes her put it away.’

‘She wanted to ask him what he saw in her but was afraid his answer would be qualities she knew to be illusion. A carefree attitude that was simply carelessness. Bluntness mistaken for honesty when she was just mean.’

I would love to see some of them graduate to full novels. Perhaps the title story, which really grabbed me from start to finish. My personal favourite ‘Glory’ also springs to mind but I fear it might draw too much comparison with ‘Americanah’ and lose its impact. Whatever she chooses it to be, I look forward impatiently to Lesley Nneka Arimah’s next project.

This has mostly been a real joy.

I'm not generally a big reader of short stories, mostly because I find them a real tease when all I want is a full novel. Have never come across a short story that has a conclusion. They all leave me wanting more so I find them unsatisfying.

This does apply to this collection too. Some of the stories I really love but just want them to continue. So I'd love to read more by this author. But full novels please!