Joys of Motherhood

By Buchi Emecheta | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

About the book

'A scorching portrayal of a woman's life . . . the female, feminist counterpart to Things Fall Apart' Bernardine Evaristo

'God, when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody's appendage? ... when will I be free?'

There is no greater honour for a woman in an Ibo village than to have children - especially sons. Unable to conceive in her first marriage, Nnu Ego is sent away to a new husband in the city of Lagos, where she finally succeeds in becoming a mother. But things are changing, and a war that unfolds thousands of miles away threatens her family's fortunes and her entire way of life. In a world where motherhood is everything, what will be left for her at the end of it all?

'Sparkling intelligence and a certain kind of honest, lived, intimate insight into working-class colonial Nigeria' Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie


Editions of Joys of Motherhood

Paperback
ISBN 9780241578131
EBook
ISBN 9781802060454

Read an Excerpt

'A scorching portrayal of a woman's life . . . the female, feminist counterpart to Things Fall Apart' Bernardine Evaristo

'God, when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody's appendage? ... when will I be free?'

There is no greater honour for a woman in an Ibo village than to have children - especially sons. Unable to conceive in her first marriage, Nnu Ego is sent away to a new husband in the city of Lagos, where she finally succeeds in becoming a mother. But things are changing, and a war that unfolds thousands of miles away threatens her family's fortunes and her entire way of life. In a world where motherhood is everything, what will be left for her at the end of it all?

'Sparkling intelligence and a certain kind of honest, lived, intimate insight into working-class colonial Nigeria' Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie


Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joys of Motherhood about?

'A scorching portrayal of a woman's life . . . the female, feminist counterpart to Things Fall Apart' Bernardine Evaristo

'God, when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody's appendage? ... when will I be free?'

There is no greater honour for a woman in an Ibo village than to have children - especially sons. Unable to conceive in her first marriage, Nnu Ego is sent away to a new husband in the city of Lagos, where she finally succeeds in becoming a mother. But things are changing, and a war that unfolds thousands of miles away threatens her family's fortunes and her entire way of life. In a world where motherhood is everything, what will be left for her at the end of it all?

'Sparkling intelligence and a certain kind of honest, lived, intimate insight into working-class colonial Nigeria' Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie


What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Joys of Motherhood?

Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general

Where can I read a sample of Joys of Motherhood?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241578131

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Joys of Motherhood?

Buchi Emecheta

Who is the Publisher of the book Joys of Motherhood?

Penguin Books Ltd

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Joys of Motherhood is available as paperback(ISBN 9780241578131) and ebook(ISBN 9781802060454)

Where can I buy Joys of Motherhood online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Joys of Motherhood from below

Where can I buy Joys of Motherhood?