I received this book as an ARC from the publisher, and I will admit that I initially put off reading it. It sounded good but a bit dark when I chose to download the file, and then the darkness wasn't something I was in the mood for. But then I actually read the book. Yes, it has decidedly darker moments and can get a bit gritty, as books about family secrets often do. Udonwa is not flawless, and sometimes she isn’t all that likeable. On balance, however, I found this book hard to put down and ultimately a positive read. A book club that likes to take on weighty subjects will find plenty to discuss.

This was my first time reading Chinenye Emezie, and I received Born in a House of Glass as an ARC from NetGalley. The novel presents a deeply emotional and unsettling narrative that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and personal growth. Born in a House of Glass is a powerful family saga set in Nigeria. The story follows Udonwa, a young girl who idolizes her father, Reverend Leonard Ilechukwu, despite his abusive behavior towards her mother and siblings. As Udonwa grows older, she is taken away by her eldest sister to escape the violence at home. However, she soon discovers even more disturbing family secrets that shatter her perception of her father and her own identity. The novel explores themes of familial loyalty, trauma, and the struggle for personal freedom. The character development is one of the book's strongest aspects. Udonwa's journey from a naive child who adores her father to a young woman grappling with the harsh realities of her family's past is compelling and heart-wrenching. Emezie skillfully portrays Udonwa's internal conflicts and her gradual transformation as she uncovers the truth about her family. The plot is engaging, with several twists and turns that keep the reader invested. The revelations about Udonwa's father and the family's dark secrets add layers of intrigue and emotional depth to the story. The setting in Nigeria, with its cultural and social nuances, enhances the narrative and provides a vivid backdrop for the characters' struggles. Overall, Born in a House of Glass is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel. Despite its heavy themes, it offers a message of resilience and hope. Chinenye Emezie's storytelling shows great promise, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. #netgalley #borninahouseofglass

#BorninaHouseofGlass

Thank you to #NetGalley for the e-arc.

The beginning was gripping - we see an abusive father who also seems to have a soft side for his youngest children, especially the youngest one, the main character Udonwa. Udonwa, as a young child, has trouble recounciling the abuse he dishes out to other members of the family and the care he seems to give to her. Having mixed feelings about a parent because you see both his abuse and his nicer side is something I relate to strongly. I became invested the family and was curious to see how Udonwa would recouncil these feelings as she grows up.

Unfortunately, the book went downhill for me from there and at various points I almost wanted to DNF. I did end up reading through the whole thing. I do not think I hate the book, but I am truly not a fan, either.

To avoid spoilers, I will say that I did not find the character development of Udonwa convincing and I cared about her less and less as a character, even though I was still invested in the family's journey towards healing and often found their interactions funny and heartwarming.

I loved the way the siblings reconnect, open up and become more honest with each other as they grow up and the way one or multiple members in the family - sometimes a sibling, sometimes an aunt - are there for each other, even if they don't always know the best thing to do. I loved the author's writing of the mundane and the daily things.

The main character's unconvincing development and the way the impact of The Family Secret being revealed was handled made reading the later part of the book a very frustrating experience.

There are multiple sensitive topics in this book that, in my opinion, are not handled with as much care or nuance as they deserve, such as <spoiler>a false rape allegation and abortion.</spoiler> I was also disappointed in my hope to see Udonwa addressing her complicated feelings abour her father, since <spoiler>we later learn that the father has committed so many unspeakble crimes that he was no longer a person, more like evil manifestation - though I don't deny that such people exist in real life. There was simply no point in wrestling with love and hate - there is no reason to not hate this man.</spoiler>

I hope the actual book will have a page for content warnings.

I wish I didn't push myself to finish the book as it was clearly not for me. I regret that I am leaving a lukewarm review. I hope it will find its readership.

For a list of (non exhaustive) content warnings I came up with, please refer to my review on storygraph:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/336fdbfd-0403-4c96-8d3d-ba15cf68c9b3

4.5 ⭐️’s

My review in point form 😃:
-very difficult topics introduced
-confused up until the last part
-not your typical romance but more realistic and stronger
-all the truths came out at the end but i had no forewarning of them in the beginning (if i hadn’t read the Forward)
-made me want to analyze my own relationship with my parents and see where I might be holding them on a higher pedestal then needed
-enjoyed the Nigerian speech and banter

Thank you to Netgalley and Dundurn Press for the Advanced copy of this book.

“Born in a House of Glass” by Chinenye Emezie is a compelling and deeply emotional family saga that delves into the complexities of familial relationships and personal growth. The story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The writing is writing is vivid and evocative.

Overall, “Born in a House of Glass” is a powerful and thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the complexities of family relationships.

This was a wonderfully beautiful narrative, but beauty does not imply happiness. Udonwa was born into instability and secret struggle among family members, some of whom have caused irrevocable injury to one another. As she grows older and gains more global experience, she discovers terrible secrets that challenge her outlook of reality and identity. She is a potent, genuine character with both good and bad moments and a desire to get free of her scarred past. She's someone you want to cheer for, even if her path to peace isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Thank you for the great read, NetGalley and publisher

A very tough read for me. Lots of trauma. Such a hard read. I felt so sad reading this but I made it through and I’m glad I did.

A tough read. This is Udonwa;s story- the story of a young woman in Nigeria who is dealing with abuse and trauma and coming into her own. I'll be honest and say that this is not necessarily an enjoyable read but it's one where you won't, shouldn't turn away. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is a story about a young girl and the trauma she deals with in her family. I unfortunately had to dnf it as some of the topics were too dark and heavy for me but maybe some people will enjoy this tale of overcoming trauma.

thank you @netgalley and @dundurnpress for the review copy! Born in a House of Glass comes out on August 13th!

cw: incest, child rape and sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, homophobia, abortion

a contemporary fiction novel written by a Nigerian author, that explores a young woman’s coming-of-age, of finding herself once she truly begins to confront long buried family secrets. this is for the book lovers who enjoy fast-paced, plot heavy reads with straightforward language

for me, it didn’t hit as hard as it could have - I love the idea of the plot and what this novel represents, but the lack of descriptive language left it feeling flat for me. i didn’t feel emotionally connected to the characters or the plot, even though very heavy topics are explored

"Born in a House of Glass" captivated me completely. It's a powerful and uplifting journey of a girl from Nigeria navigating her path into womanhood, revealing the impact of lies and shattered truths on her world. Udonwa's story is beautifully written, drawing you in with every emotional twist. I highly recommend this exceptional read.

This book is about a young Nigerian girl uncovering dark family secrets. The story is well-developed and explores difficult themes of family conflict and abuse. It's not a easy read but I highly recommend. The book is engaging and highlight survival, personal growth, and complex family dynamics. However, I felt I couldn't strongly connect with the main character despite all her struggles.

Not what I was expecting at all. Something happens in the book that I am not 100% comfortable with. Idk. I will try out the author again in the future but this one had me taken aback a bit.

TW: Sexual assault, rape, incest, domestic violence, homophobia, sex addiction, pedophilia

In this story we meet Udonwa, the youngest of 5 siblings living with her parents in a small village in Nigeria. We follow Udonwa as she gets older, moves away from home to her oldest sister’s home, away to Lagos for University, and into adulthood as she processes the trauma and dark secrets hiding in her family. Udonwa chooses a career, finds love, and grows into herself.

Proceed with caution - this was NOT a light read, and there was a lot of heavy stuff that was lightly glossed over in comparison to other topics… by the end I felt mentally exhausted.

Otherwise the writing was ok, there was not much description, and it was sometimes tricky to keep track of side characters. By the end of the book I still didn’t feel like I knew Udonwa very well. The plot jumped around a bit and it was hard to follow whether we’d jumped ahead in time or not. Finally, I was not satisfied with the ending - I kept flipping thinking there was a final chapter but that’s it, it just ended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for the ARC.

I think this book needs a better trigger warning at the beginning. There was some very uncomfortable and tough things that happened that I wasn’t quite expecting or ready for.

The storyline seemed a bit jumpy for me. We jump up years in the story in the very next paragraph. I wish things would’ve have been tied together better sooner. I didn’t really start getting into the book until I was over 60% finished and then that was when all the things started tying up. It got better and it made more sense. It just took a while.

Born in a House of Glass tells the story of what happens when secrets and lies overwhelm a family. Do you let the suffering, and anger consume you and define your life? Or do you try to fight through pain with the hope that there is something better waiting for you on the other side?

Udonwa has grown up in a house of anger and violence. From her earliest days, she knows her father is hated and reviled by her entire family for his abusive nature. But she still loves him dearly and feels that she is the only one to understand him. As she grows up, she starts to learn about events that have happened in the past that drastically change the way she views her father and her childhood. The consequence of learning about these events spins her life out of control, and she fears that she will never be able to gain control again.

I have mixed feelings about this book, so I'll start with the positives:
-I loved the Nigerian representation in this book. I am Yoruba, so it was refreshing to read a story with customs, food, and sayings that were recognizable. Even though the way the author depicts Yoruba people was less than complimentary, it was still enjoyable.
-I enjoyed the exploration of themes in this book. The author discusses generational curses and behaviors, and also frequently discusses how people use religion to excuse or hide horrible acts. She also discusses the internal struggle between traditional ideas and modern ideas that a person can have in a religious and patriarchal society.
-The writing is very good in this story. I would definitely pick up another book by this author. It was written so that you felt very present in the story, almost like you were in the same room with the characters. There were several beautiful lines that so clearly expressed the emotion of the characters:
"I knew I shouldn't trust anyone who could not bring any solace to my weary soul. I knew I shouldn't have trusted someone who hadn't done anything to help me but was happy to take my money."

Okay, so the things that were not great:
-The time jumps are not handled well at all. You'll read one chapter and the next chapter will be three years later with no warning or transition, and I found myself frequently struggling to understand where in time we were.
-I wish there had been more exploration of the main character's complicated feelings toward her father. Honestly, everything about her childhood and her siblings needed more grace and depth than what we got. There was a chapter where her older brother is accused of something horrible, and we don't hear about it again until maybe ten chapters later. I would have loved more sensitivity and discussion around these topics.
-I think this should have been written as a collection of vignettes instead of a full length novel. Short, punchy connected glimpses would have been a better way to interact with these characters and everything that happened to them. Or perhaps narrowing in a certain point in her life, like her mid twenties, with the childhood events told in flashback would have helped to really explore the events. I was very unsurprised to learn that the idea behind the book had originally appeared as a short story, because the book has the feel of a group of snapshots smushed together.

So overall, this isn't a bad book, but there are things that could have been done better. I would recommend it with several caveats and lots of trigger warnings.

This well written book, set in Nigeria, concerns a young woman, Udonwa, and her highly dysfunctional family. As a young child, she idolised her priest father, and detested the younger of her two elder brothers, Lincoln. She was her father’s favourite, and always saw the best in him – despite his repeated beating of her mother and other children. The father was a nasty piece of work, favouring his neighbour’s son over his own, and dictating which studies/jobs each of his children might follow, irrespective of their desires or talents. Udonwa was to be a doctor.
When her eldest sister married, she took Udonwa with her to her new home – where instead of watching her mother be beaten, Udonwa saw her sister beaten. University came as an escape from the violence.
Initially, at university, Udonwa was a model student. One of her friends describes her as ‘holier-than-thou’, as she disapproved of her friends’ propensity to partying and promiscuity.
But all that changes when Udonwa overhears her eldest sister and mother talking, and the family’s devastating secrets come out.
Udonwa’s world is blown asunder, and she goes completely off the rails. She has to confront the evil that her beloved father has done, while not destroying herself.
I did not particularly warm to Udonwa in the first part of the book. She resolutely overlooks her father’s obvious flaws (though to be fair, she doesn’t know the half of it yet) because he is nice to her, and pays the school fees. Besides, he is a respected preacher. Lincoln gets the worst treatment – which Udonwa sees as fully deserved. After the revelations, after the wild behaviour, and once Lincoln (transformed into a caring, successful young man) takes her in hand – Udonwa becomes a much more sympathetic character. Now, not everything is about her, about her betrayal, and about her pain. She is finally able to think of others.
The basic story line could have happened anywhere, but I really liked the setting of the book in Nigeria (a few chapters in South Africa), with Igbo words (exclamations) scattered throughout the text. It is a terrible story, thankfully not described in detail, but one with an eventual healing ending.

Thank you @netgalley and @chinenyeemezieauthor
…a novel of exploration of one’s identity and Christian religion …it triggers me so I’ll stop here but overall very enlightening!

"House of Glass" promised an intriguing journey into mystery and suspense, but unfortunately fell short of expectations. From the onset, the narrative felt disjointed, with portions that didn't quite match up, leaving readers feeling disoriented and disconnected from the story.

As the plot unfolded, instead of weaving a cohesive tale, the story seemed to meander aimlessly, lacking the tight structure needed to keep readers engaged. Important plot points were introduced haphazardly, leaving readers hanging until the end, by which time many had either forgotten or lost interest in the outcome.

While there were moments of intrigue and potential, they were overshadowed by the overall lack of coherence in the storytelling. Characters felt underdeveloped and their motivations often unclear, making it difficult for readers to fully invest in their journeys.

Ultimately, "House of Glass" failed to deliver on its promise of a gripping mystery, leaving readers feeling unsatisfied and disappointed. Perhaps with tighter editing and a more focused narrative, the story could have reached its full potential, but as it stands, it falls short of leaving a lasting impression.

Overall, "House of Glass" is a forgettable read that fails to live up to its potential, leaving readers longing for a more satisfying conclusion.

(2/5 stars)

This book was a nice and easy read, and although I am not familiar with African languages, the context made it easy to understand. The story itself was very good and well developed - the family secrets being heartbreaking but appropriately talked about. My only complaint is with the main character Udonwa. I felt her inner monologue was more about everyone else and not enough about herself. She reveals more about herself and her feelings in the last few chapters of the book, but it did not impact me as much because I didn't have an emotional connection with her. I really like how her story unraveled and enjoyed getting to know her towards the end.
*my honest review has been given in exchange for an advanced copy of this book, thank you so much for sharing this story with me!