'He took good fortune for granted. As though it were impossible that it would abide only for a spell. She had never been able to shake the sense that life was war, a series of battles with the occasional spell of good things.'

The two central characters of Ayòbámi Adébáyò's second novel, A Spell of Good Things, set in a Nigerian city, come from very different walks of life. Wúràọlá is from an elite family and is finishing off her training as a doctor; boyfriend Kúnlé seems likely to propose soon, but does she really want to marry him? Meanwhile, teenager Ẹniọlá's family have fallen on hard times; after all the history teachers in public schools were sacked in a government purge, his father has been unable to find a new job and money is getting increasingly tight. Ẹniọlá fears that his family will no longer be able to pay his school fees, taking away his only chance of making it to university. However, Wúràọlá and Ẹniọlá are only two of a complex tapestry of characters that Adébáyò brings to life: from Wúràọlá's warm-hearted, loving father, to Ẹniọlá's ambitious younger sister, Bùsọ́lá, who wants to study forestry, to Wúràọlá's delightful, easy-going friend Kingsley, who calls her 'golden babe' and is secretly in love with her.

The structure and the pacing of A Spell of Good Things, despite its very different setting, reminded me strongly of another heartbreaking novel I read three years ago: Deepa Anappara’s Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line. While A Spell of Good Things is narrated straightforwardly in third person rather than through the lens of a young boy, as in Djinn Patrol, the novels have a very similar feel: both build up slowly and a little frustratingly towards a sudden, harrowing ending that justifies some of the length of the story, though perhaps not all of it. Like Djinn Patrol, A Spell of Good Things is rich in set-piece but a little short on purpose for about three-quarters of its pages. Adébáyò flips between perspectives cleverly; this kind of head-hopping can feel shallow but here it works very well, allowing us to truly feel Bùsọ́lá's frustration at her shortage of books, or Ẹniọlá's Aunty Caro's business savvy as she runs her tailors. It was a shame, though, that for much of the novel I felt much more invested in Ẹniọlá's side of the story than Wúràọlá's, basically because the stakes were higher. I liked that their two worlds don't cross over until the very end, and in the most poignant of ways, but this meant that I often felt torn away from a narrative that seemed much more urgent to return to Wúràọlá's quieter world.

Adébáyò's debut, Stay With Me, impressed me with its emotional impact, managing to make the reader really share its central character's pain. A Spell of Good Things manages to engage us in the same way, but it lacks the elegant, compulsive structure of Stay With Me, which beautifully used Nigerian folktales and the 'rule of three' to explore a sense of destiny that also governs this novel (it's surely no accident that the school that Ẹniọlá fights to stay in is called Glorious Destiny). This makes this book harrowing but also a little purposeless; how much this bothers you will depend on your own appetite for tragedy. One thing's for certain: if I was a betting woman, I'd definitely bet on this making the Women's Prize longlist.

The title of this book is a bit of a misnomer as it really is a difficult and tragic story.

The two main characters, Eniola and Wuraola seem worlds apart. Eniola is a young Nigerian boy dealing with extreme poverty. His father hasn't worked since being sacked from his teaching job. Eniola feels anger and frustration towards his father, but also fear. Fear that his father has sunk so low, he may never recover.

Wuraola is a junior doctor, privileged and smart, but under pressure to marry and conflicted. She loves her fiancé Kunle, but he is becoming increasingly controlling and violent.

It seems that their worlds could never collide. But as events unfold, they draw closer to one another's orbit, and both are to face tragedy.

This is a slow burn of a book, I felt at times it was a little laboured but I still felt compelled to keep reading. As events reached their climax I felt deeply affected, and this is a testament to the quality of the writing. This is not a book to read if you're searching for light and uplifting. But if you like your books to have depth, and to challenge you, this might be for you.

Eniola is the lead character in this book which is a saga of two families in Nigeria. Why it has the title it has is not clear as there are few ‘good things’ in the book. It has a sad love theme for one couple and efforts by one family to put their children on a better path. It shows the lack of support in the education system which has serious consequences. The book is a well written examination of the ups and downs in modern Nigeria. That context may have limited appeal.

I have not ever read anything by this author before and so had no ideas of what to expect.
“A Spell of Good Things” was a revelation about a part of the world of which I had no ideas or preconceptions. This book involves you in a maelstrom for the two main protagonists of power, money and corruption tangled together with romance and obsessive behaviour.
Eniola is from a family that has fallen on bad luck when his father loses his job. He has to run errands and collect newspapers, whilst still attending school (that his mother struggles to pay for) – yet still he has dreams of a future that would be very different.
Wuroala is from a completely different spectrum of wealth and achievement. She is a first year doctor, exhausted with her career.
It is with the descriptions of Wuroala’s work in the hospital that the signs of the differences between those who have money and influence and those who don’t first appear.
The early chapters set the scene for a haunting tale about modern Nigeria with its enormous economic divide and political upheaval. The themes of family obligation are particularly well drawn.
A local politician decides to take an interest in Eniola who begins to work for him and this causes the lives of Eniola and Wuroala to become strangely entwined as the politician is standing against Wuroala’s prospective father-in-law.
I found the novel a little slow in that the story doesn’t really start until about a third of the way through the book and there do seem to be a huge number of characters – which makes things a little difficult to keep up with at times. Personally I would have preferred more focus on the two main characters.
Compared to the slow build up to the point where Eniola’s life and that of Wuroala collide, I felt that the ending was somewhat rushed.

I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys well-written, compelling fiction with engaging characters and really exceptional portrayals of family life and local culture. This is an incredibly powerful story about two young people, Eniola and Wuraola, who become caught up in events that are bigger than either of them can control. It’s set in Nigeria, a country about which I know very little, and it has inspired me to find out more. The author describes Nigerian culture, family life, traditions, hospitals, education and politics, and pulls absolutely no punches. She deals brilliantly with the themes of poverty, domestic abuse, access to education, and corruption in politics and the public sector, without ever moralising or preaching. It’s beautifully written and heartbreakingly powerful. I was engrossed from start to finish but with a real
sense of foreboding as the book built to its shocking climax, and it left me feeling a sense of loss as my involvement with these characters came to an end. This story will stay with me for a long time. Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

Set in contemporary Nigeria, A Spell of Good Things explores the contrasting lives of Wuráolá, a hardworking junior doctor from a wealthy, influential family and Ęniolá whose family becomes destitute when his father is forced from his job as a teacher. The widening gaps between rich and poor is illustrated by descriptions of lavish clothes and party celebrations versus the struggle to get enough to eat, access education, and worsening healthcare. The lives of the two protagonists collide in inevitable violence and loss. While not knowing much about Nigeria, this is a story with everyday relevance and interesting characterisation, written in stylish and engaging prose. Some of the dialogue was written in what I think is Yoruba, and it may have been helpful to have a glossary, however this did not disrupt any understanding of the storyline. Thoroughly recommend this engrossing introduction to the work of African authors

Many thanks to Canongate for access to the e-book version.

A beautiful and complex book. The writing was breath-taking and the characters felt incredibly real. I feel like I've learned so much from this book. Adebayo has such a deep understanding of people and life, and it was an honour to read this book early.

I did find it a little drawn out at times, and it was a bit hard to get into given the nature of it. It was definitely worth sticking it out, but do not expect a light and easy read with this one!

Overall, I would highly recommend A Spell of Good Things.

I really enjoyed Stay With Me, the authors previous novel and was looking forward to reading A Spell Of Good Things, happy to say it is every bit as enjoyable a read, Adebayo is a masterful storyteller.

A hugely immersive read set in current day Nigeria telling the stories of two people and their families on either side of the wealth divide. Their lives unfold and then interweave. The story sweeps along, introducing characters and back stories and at times I wasn't sure where it was going but I loved the writing so that didn't matter. Nigeria is like an additional character in the novel so rich and vivid are the descriptions and sense of place. The book builds and cascades to deeply satisfying conclusion. I loved it.

Recommend. Beautifully written, a story that will stay with me ( no pun intended)

This novel follows two characters who you grow to empathise with and root for equally. They come from very different backgrounds and classes but many of the difficulties that they face are similar. This story shows how interconnected different levels of society are, how easy it is to rise or fall, and how little separates people who may seem worlds apart; while at the same time, the people closest to you may understand you the least. The writing brings out the humanity in its characters and the decisions they face, and reveals the human cost of political failings and corruption. It was subtle and nuanced throughout, but the ending was heart-wrenching.

i really wanted to like this but i found the content occasionally gratuitous when it came to one of the central characters. not that what was being portrayed was unrealistic, it was just the tone that made me wary.

I was super stoked to see this ARC show up on NetGalley. Stay with Me which was Ayobami’s debut novel made quite the splash. It is one book that I have ended up discussing numerous times, even with my non-reader friends. I, therefore, received a copy of A Spell of Good Things with excitement and a little anxiety wondering whether the author will attain the magic of the first novel.

A Spell of Good Things started out slow for me. It took a little time to get into the narrative. The story begins by introducing us to Eniola, a young boy whose family is struggling financially. Eniola’s father lost his teaching job and has gone into depression after fruitlessly seraching for a new job for years. His mother is struggling to make ends meet while Eniola and his sister, Busola, are struggling with hunger, lack of school fees and seemingly, endless hopelessness. On the other hand, the author introduces us to Wuraola, a doctor from an affluent family, engaged to a politician’s son. Wuraola’s life was so far removed Eniola’s that I couldn’t help but wonder how their stories would intersect.

I didn’t even notice when the pace changed. I quickly found myself deeply engrossed in the narrative until I reached a point where I didn’t want to stop reading the book but at the same time, I couldn’t stop reading it. The imagery of modern-day Nigeria in light of political tensions and class divide was quite well done. I could visualize the setting, atmosphere and the lives of the characters. The characterization was quite good. All including the support characters were well developed which added to the richness of the narrative.

This story left me heartbroken in the end, and stunned. It swept me off my feet, took me on a journey but I wasn’t ready for that ending. It’s a book that I won’t forget easily. I remember coming to the last page, staring at nothing while wondering how to possible move on and pick another book. I can’t recommend A Spell of Good Things enough. It’s a stunning read, one that every reader should experience.

A Spell of Good Things is the follow up novel from Nigerian writer Ayobami Adebayo after the hugely popular Stay With Me which has so much universal love.

It's set in Osun State in modern day Nigeria and gives an insight into current societal expectations, political corruption, injustice and domestic violence. through the eyes of two protagonists — Ẹniọlá and Wúràọlá

Ẹniọlá is a teenage boy whose life starts to fall into disarray after his father loses his job as teacher in a government cull leaving the family living a hand to mouth existence, and him making difficult decisions to survive.

Meanwhile, Wúràọlá is a golden girl, a junior doctor and dutiful daughter to wealthy parents. But aside from a successful career, there is huge pressure from all her family that she marry and Kúnlé her boyfriend seems to be the perfect choice, with a job as a newscaster and his father wanting a political career.

The book is divided into four sections and alternates between Eniolá and Wúraolá's perspectives and unique challenges they face in their worlds which are alternate realities. When the finally meet it's in a dressmaking shop where Eniolá is apprenticed and Wúraolá is having a fitting for her engagement party.

The book is a slow burn at the start, giving you a real sense of the characters, their lives and the different pressures and expectations which impact the poorest and wealthiest in society.

Once the book gets going, it just hooks you in and captivates you. I'd highly recommend it, I absolutely loved Wúraolá as a character and just was rooting for her throughout. Definitely the type of book that would make a brilliant book club choice as there's so much to unpick in it

Thanks to @netgalley and @canongatebooks for this ARC in exchange of an honest review

A Spell of Good Things by Ayòbámi Adébáyò is a novel that illuminates and explores, with great candour and heart, two very different sides of modern Nigeria. Wúràolá, a young doctor from a wealthy family, is weighed down by the punishing hours and strained environment of her job, and the pressure from her family and boyfriend to meet their expectations. Eniolá, reviled in his community and being punished daily in school due to his father’s job loss and subsequent fall into severe debt and poverty, is struggling to accept the sacrifices that must be made for them to get by. As their two storylines unfold, we see not only from their perspectives but also from the key characters around them, resulting in a rich portrait of the complexity of family dynamics, the weight and effect of family and community expectations, the sacrifices we make for our families, and the times we finally find a way to put ourselves first, for better or for worse. Exploring themes from political corruption, social injustice and mental health under great pressure, to love, loss, manipulation and violence, in particular against women, this novel is a rich tapestry drawing together experiences from both sides of a social divide. Wúràolá and Eniolá cross paths at several points throughout the novel but it’s not until the novel rushes towards a devastating conclusion that their worlds truly collide.

Adébáyò writes in prose which is rich and vibrant, conjuring a real sense of place through dialogue and description. The novel builds slowly, taking its time giving us an in-depth and introspective insight into the struggles our two main characters are facing, as well as delving into the generational stories and struggles of their families. Adébáyò captures the hustle and bustle of interfering family and community beautifully, and this novel is replete with the spirit of strong women, from both sides of the divide, mostly trying to do the best for themselves and their families. It’s not until the novel is nearing the end that it really picks up pace, dramatically so, which in a way makes the ending feel somewhat rushed in comparison to the rest of the book. This was a poignant and captivating read, exploring some heartbreaking issues with a keen eye and a deft touch.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC.

In 'A Spell of Good Things' by Ayobami Adebayo, multiple perspectives are used to weave together a story portraying the effects of class, poverty and fealty in modern Nigeria. Using an array of characters Adebayo shows how redundancy can plunge a family to the bottom of the social ladder and make it impossible to climb back up. As a result those who have power hold it tightly, drawing on loyalties from others, successful marriages and at times corruption.

Adebayo's writing is clever and witty. The characters feel strongly believable and I was interested to follow their progression through the novel. For me, the flaw in the writing is that the central theme is highlighted too strongly, resulting in it at times overpowering the beautiful stories within the book. Personally this left me feeling a bit preached at. However, this remains a very strong novel that gives a clear perspective on some of the difficulties within modern Nigerian society.

This was such a beautifully complex book that covered a range of difficult topics such as classism, Nigerian family dynamics, domestic violence, crime, and local politics. I’ll be honest, I do not feel smart enough for this book, it was so intelligently written. The two main POV’s wove together and showed their contrasts really well. It was difficult to read at times, but wonderfully handled. The characters really came to life.

The negatives were that it took a long time to pick up and, because of this, it took me a while to get through. The chapters were also quite long sometimes which also made it feel longer than it was. This may be a me problem more than an actual issue with the book, though, as each chapter felt like it was covering a different significant part of their lives.

Overall, a great and important read. Also, my first full length novel I have read by this author, I have only previously read snippets that I really enjoyed and I’m glad to finally enjoy more of her writing.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the review copy.

Wow! I absolutely loved this book and totally devoured it. Advance Warning, the title of the novel must be a joke as nothing good happens the people in the story - it is utterly heartbreaking. I learnt so much about Nigerian culture through the narrative and spent time goggling Nigerian terms for items of clothing and hairstyles. The novel is wide in scope dealing with how politcial corruption, cultural norms and family expectations affect both those at the bottom and top of the heap and how no one, regardless of current status is ever safe or secure in the changing and violent political landscape. These huge topics are explored through the story of Eniolá from a poor family and Wúràolá from a wealthy one.

Eniolá, is a teen aged boy of average academic ability who is originally from a comfortable middle class background . His family descend into abject poverty when the State decrees that Humanities are of no use and no longer to be taught and his father loses his lecturing job and falls into a deep depression. Wúràolá, is 28 and from a generationally wealthy elite family. She is under pressure to get married before the age of 30 and is also working gruelling long shifts as a junior doctor in an under resourced hospital. Her childhood friend and now lover proposes marriage which utterly delights her family but he starts to become abusive and she struggles to find the energy to repel him. As events unfold around the choosing of a candidate for a Govenorship election the families fates intertwine.

The prose just flows in this epic novel. I was sad when it ended and could have read about the families forever.

I read the author's striking debut six years ago and attended the same university as her, so wanted to read her next novel.

Set in the early 2000s, this tale of poverty and wealth in Nigeria started slow, but it builds and pulled me in. The cast of characters, two families, feels big and dramatic. The family of a young boy, Eniolá, struggles after his father loses his job and his mental health. Wúraolá is the daughter of a wealthy family, a young doctor in her first year of practice and beloved by Kunle, the unpredictable son of an politician; she struggles balancing her parent's traditional expectations of her with the modern career-focused life she wants for herself. The families' paths cross in a tailor’s shop and the plot builds to a betrothal ceremony, which showcases the strength of the women in both families.

I enjoyed reading about daily life in Nigeria, combined with the exploration of family obligation and societal expectations, which weighed heavily in the characters' relationships. There were more minor characters that I would have likes, because I wanted the focus to be on Eniolá and Wúraolá. Politics, the divide between rich and poor and romantic obsession are the focus of this fascinating story of modern Nigeria..

Wow. This is a stunner of a book. Well-written, evocative and powerful. It starts slow but by the time you’re into the second part, you’re running head first trying to keep up with it.

The story centres around two young people from opposite ends of the Nigerian social spectrum. Wuraola comes from a wealthy family and is trying to balance her flourishing career as a doctor, family expectations and a relationship with the volatile Kunle. Eniola’s family struggles to put food on the table and he is desperately fighting the shame of his poverty, trying to find a way to a better future - an uphill struggle where everything seems to be working against him leading to desperate situations.

It’s a story of light and dark. On one hand it is a stark representation of the wealth gap between Nigeria’s haves and have-nots but it is also a story of familial love and a rich culture. I read Stay With Me earlier this year and both books have convinced me that Ayobami Adebayo will be an auto-buy author for me going forward. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

I liked the premise of this book, and often enjoy a slow burn novel with the opportunity to get yo know the characters. However I must admit that this one did rather try my patience and then a sudden speeding up of narrative and action towards the end felt a but contrived.
Thank you to netgalley and canongate for an advance copy of this book

I adored Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀'s previous book so I was excited to read her new novel.
I have to say I was really disappointed with this book. I really struggled to get into it. I found the writing to be very intricate and I just couldn't get my head around it. There were lots of characters too that lost me.
I wish I could say I enjoyed this book but I really disliked it. I couldn't get into it at all, it didn't keep my interest and I couldn't keep up with it.
I may try the audio book to see if that helps as I am genuinely disappointed that I haven't loved this book as much as her first book.