Book Review – Sarah House

by Ifeanyi Ajaegbo (Picador Africa) ISBN 978-1-77010-219-4

 What needs to be mentioned, primarily, is that this book, which has a female protagonist, was written by a male author.

He highlights the abuse of women who are used only as commodities to be bought and sold: young girls become sex slaves of pimps, thugs and brothel owners. Thumbs up to him for capturing the essence of the how a woman in this situation would feel.

This is also an expose of criminal activities concerning organ transplants. People are used in any way possible to make money, even by so-called respectable politicians.

The protagonist is Nita, a young girl from a Nigerian village whose boyfriend promised her a work opportunity in the city. She wakes up in a locked room with other girls and has no idea where she is or what has happened. We are taken on her often harrowing journey that gains momentum compelling the reader to discover what happens to her.

The book is very readable and although a first novel, it is exceptionally well written with good insights into the subject.

Dawn Blankfield 
4/5