Book Review: Yinka Where is Your Huzband? By Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

 

Written by Safa Alhassan

One of the things that drew me to Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? was the quirky title and the cover. I first came across the book about four years ago when it was newly published and already making waves. But honestly, I doubt I would pick up this book today if it were just being published. I guess my taste in books has become more complex. It’s hard to explain, but if a book doesn’t challenge me, it’s probably not for me.

Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? is a lighthearted, fun read about Yinka, a 31-year-old Nigerian woman living in London who’s constantly bombarded with the dreaded “When are you getting married?” question. Her aunties, family, and even some friends can’t understand why she’s still single, and the pressure to find a husband becomes overwhelming.

The book is filled with relatable moments, especially if you’re familiar with African family dynamics. There’s a lot of humor, but beneath it all, Yinka’s journey is about self-discovery and learning to love herself without society’s constant pressure to be married. It’s not a book that will challenge you deeply, but it’s a nice, light read

In very basic terms, Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? is like strawberry ice cream. Now, strawberry isn’t my favorite flavor, but if you offer it to me, I’ll take it—because, well, it’s ice cream, and it’s pink! The author, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, can be likened to this flavor as well. Have you seen her? She looks like flowers. What I’m trying to say is, the book wasn’t all that for me. It felt too simplistic, you know? There’s the usual banter about African aunties and their favorite anthem, "When are you getting married?"—even though they aren’t necessarily living their best lives in their own marriages. I felt like that narrative wasn’t new, and the book focusing heavily on that tired me out a little. It’s fun, sure, but just too simple for my taste.

The author has her own writing style, though. You can tell a lot about a person from their writing, and hers is like that lighthearted drizzle on an otherwise normal day with no storm. Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? was actually one of the first books we read at my book club. It sparked some reasonable debates and good laughs. We even got a lot of advice from the married women in the group. The pressure from family to get married—especially for women, the marginalized gender in Africa—is something that will probably never change. So, I do appreciate that the book opened that can of worms again, especially for the young women in our group. We had good discussions about self-love and being kind to ourselves.

Still, I feel the book could have been better if it wasn’t so simplistic. It’s a good read, though, and if you’re looking for something light and calm, then by all means, go ahead and read it.