Book Review: The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe

 

Written by Safa Alhassan

The fact that I read this book in one sitting says a lot. At first, I honestly thought the writing and mode of narration was a bit mediocre. It was a little confusing. The back and forth between the past and present, there wasn't proper differentiation. But when i dived more into the book, i found shocking revelations. I love connecting with characters, but i didn't exactly feel that way, so I think I would have appreciated more vivid encounters and recounts. The story is really deep, but that was because the author painted perfect villains (Ephriam and Nani's mother). However, the entirety of the book was like a summary of a tale that should have lingered. Though i most definitely wouldn't have survived the wound this writer burrowed furiously into my chest with her words if this book was any longer. But you see, that is exactly the point of a good story. It evokes different feelings and would leave you feeling numb, confused, or even happy and fulfilled at some point. 

The middle daughter is a story about love, familial bonds, loss, healing, sisterhood, and the true darkness of human nature. All of these were so perfectly interwoven into the life of an innocent young Nani who loved her Dado (her father) and whose death and that of her Udodi (her older sister) became her downfall. It tells a story about how joy and happiness are two distinct things. An excerpt from the books says;

 "The devil does not have good friends."

Pretence, hypocrisy, greed, jealousy, hate, envy, extremism, lies, are all devlish. That is exactly what the book says about Ephriam (the devil reincarnate).

The first death hit me hard. I had barely started reading, and the book got that serious. That intensity at the beginning got me super glued. I enjoy unpredictability and mystery. The book gives all of that. The narration was in first person, and I think I especially loved that about the book. The writer captured the thoughts of Udodi as if she were still alive, and that broke my heart. There were parts in the book according to Ephriam's point of view. So, he was literally narrating his own story and thoughts. It was just nauseating, to say the least.

I don't think I've detested a character since "Ogadinma" the book by Ukamaka Olisakwe. The misogyny, narcissism and domestic violence brought back flashes of that book and the story line was somewhat similar.

In all my reading years, I've never hated a character like I did Ephriam in this book (not sure how many times I've mentioned this lol). While reading, I kept mummuring to myself "The audacity!" There were times I went back to re-read some sentences, just to be sure I read well. I devoured this book in one sitting, all in hope that this vile and despicable man will face retribution. The biggest hypocrites are those hiding behind religious fanaticism. As I dived deeper into the book, I killed Ephriam a thousand and one time in my head. It was upsetting. This author perfectly described the most disgusting person there ever was and trust me, it will stick to your mind just as it did mine. My second most hated character is Nani's mother. She didn't portray true motherly love. She had poor motherly instinct. She didn't stand as a role model and shouldn't even be called a mother. She was not protective, kind, loving or even forgiving. That pained me to the core. It was just too unfortunate. I find it hard to believe any mother will do what she did.

Anyway, read the book to find out. I'll recommend this book to teenagers as it is a coming of age story, especially for the fact that it serves as a lesson to young girls. I leave you with the few words of my typical Nigerian aunt who told me this sometime ago;

 "Don't be naive, the world is cruel."

I commend the author for breaking my heart and the hearts of so many that must have read this masterpiece. Spot on!!