... mesmerizing ... lives up to both the power of its first sentence and the promise of its author’s first name. This is not a book to read with one eye on a beach volleyball tournament; it’s a story to soak up in silence, on a long, cloudy afternoon when you have time to think ... You, the reader, are just along for the ride. At a time when adventure is scarce, Medie gives you a lot to look forward to, think about and be grateful for.
... arresting ... Medie gives Afi a voice that winningly combines insecurity, wisdom and dignity. Fashion and food contribute to a cultural backdrop ... The dramas of Afi's marriage and various family conflicts offer an entertaining plot rich with humor, but it is the story of the strong woman in a challenging and changing world that will capture readers' hearts. His Only Wife is a memorable novel of personal growth and choosing one's own destiny.
... an engaging, quietly provocative debut ... a well-paced story of awakenings, a coming-of-age tale where the girl is already married but has yet to grow up. From the outset, Adzo Medie gets us close to Aki, a heroine to root for, naive and courageous, compliant and ambitious, loyal to her husband and his family, but not to a fault ... there is an easy, fluid style to the writing, quick intimacy with character and a kind of innocent humour that recalls Rónán Hession’s Leonard and Hungry Paul, though the backdrops obviously differ immensely ... Throughout the book there are bright daubs of Ghanian life – kontomire and garden egg stew, the durbar at the yam festival, a neem tree, greetings and everyday phrases such as Woede or Ehn. It all flows remarkably well in a memorable debut from a writer whose frustrations with certain aspects of the culture of her homeland come brilliantly to life.
Colloquial diction and modern amenities help to set the book’s stage, though its descriptions of settings sometimes fall short of their potential. Characters are introduced with speed, and even the story’s main influencers make minor impressions at first. Still, the pieces of the story connect in a seamless way ... Afi’s story is compelling, even if its developments are predictable. Unembellished conversations, combined with Afi’s steady internal monologue, help to convey her intentions; her relationships develop at a steady pace. Afi’s charm makes her an empowering example of modern womanhood ... ts message bold and its viewpoint appealing, His Only Wife is an inspiring novel.
In her debut novel, Medie writes with a precise rhythm that builds the reader’s anticipation. Themes like deception, ambition, love, and values drench the pages with conflict that evolves into an emotional rollercoaster. Essentially, Afi’s fight for love leads her down the path of boundary-setting and living life on her own terms.
... a vibrant and inspiring debut ... Afi is an immediately likable character. She is in a bizarre situation, and though she wields little power initially, she is sharp and witty, and her observations on marriage, in-laws and wealth will quickly endear her to any reader ... Medie gives readers a modern feminist fairy tale where the woman saves herself. His Only Wife is already being heralded as a tale of empowerment, but what I loved most about it was how carefully Medie tracked Afi’s journey. This is not the story of a woman brought into an arranged marriage who withholds herself from finding love unless it is on her own terms, nor is it about a romantic young girl who learns the truth about love the hard way...Afi’s slow awakening to her own autonomy is one of the most believable and heart-stirring that I have read in quite some time, yet Medie never preaches or talks down to her readers ... Afi’s love of dressmaking and her drive to learn complicated designs was a real highlight of the book, and I loved how her ambition helped her advocate for herself in her family, marriage and dreams for her future ... Combining heart and humor with a hearty dose of feminism, Peace Adzo Medie’s debut is an illuminating and empowering read with a heroine you will remember for a long time. Perfect for readers of Candice Carty-Williams and Oyinkan Braithwaite, His Only Wife ushers in a stunning new talent and an unforgettable story about what it means to be a woman, wife and daughter.
Writer and professor Peace Adzo Medie puts a wonderfully contemporary spin on a fairytale trope. Set in Medie’s native Ghana, His Only Wife begins with a familiar premise: A sweet but poor young woman marries a prince – well, in this case, he’s a handsome, wealthy businessman. Against this familiar plot, Medie explores the complexities that strong women face as they learn to effectively navigate a patriarchal society. At the center of the novel is young Afi Tekple... In this very contemporary story, Afi gets her fairytale ending, just not the one that generations of girls have been told to expect. Afi rescues herself.
... delightful ... Medie subtly develops Afi’s character as she—mentored by her brother-in-law’s mistress, who lives down the hall—goes from being an innocent, awestruck village girl to a sophisticated, confident woman, accustomed to privilege and luxury, set on a creative career...and mad as hell ... A Crazy Rich Asians for West Africa, with a healthy splash of feminism.
... busy ... Afi’s narration is driven by a series of episodes, from Afi insisting on learning to drive to selling her designs to the country’s first lady, and while the relentless pacing leaves little room for reflection on her emotional turmoil, Medie succeeds at channeling Afi’s desires and desperation. This stirring tale sings when Afi learns to flex her limited power.
