Renée Bodt Ordre des livres (chronologique)

Aku-nna, a young Ibo girl schooled in her people's rituals and beliefs, undergoes kidnapping, forced betrothal, and near-shame out of love for Chike, son of a former slave

...a graceful, touching, ironically titled tale. - John Updike A new edition of her classic novel to coincide with the publication of her other works in the African Writers Series. Nnu Ego is a woman devoted to her children, giving them all her energy, all her worldly possessions, indeed, all her life to them -- with the result that she finds herself friendless and alone in middle age. This story of a young mother's struggles in 1950s Lagos is a powerful commentary on polygamy, patriarchy, and women's changing roles in urban Nigeria.