Stay with Me: A novel

What a joy to read this beautiful story of loss, betrayal and motherhood. I was moved to tears several times when reading the story and shocked more often than I expected. This is definitely my best read of the year

In "Stay With Me," Ayobami Adebayo delivers a poignant and deeply emotional narrative exploring the complexities of marriage, fertility, and societal expectations in Nigeria. The story follows Yejide and Akin, who, after years of struggling to conceive, find their vows tested when Akin's family introduces a second wife to their lives. Adebayo artfully navigates Yejide's feelings of betrayal, jealousy, and desperation as she grapples with the dire need to secure her place in Akin's life, leading her down a path filled with unintended consequences.Told from alternating perspectives, the novel offers a rich and nuanced examination of both characters' inner struggles and desires. Adebayo’s masterful storytelling highlights the weight of cultural pressures and the sacrifices made for the sake of family, ultimately prompting readers to reflect on the boundaries of love and loyalty. "Stay With Me" is an unforgettable and compelling tale that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned, making it a must-read for fans of poignant literary fiction.

I bought this book for an assignment for my class on African Literature. I decided to choose Stay With Me particularly because the description talked about marriage and starting a family. I am a sucker for romance novels, so I was automatically drawn to it. Let me just premise by saying I was not prepared for the journey this book was about to take me on.The story follows a married couple, Yejide (the wife) and Akin (the husband), who have been married for four years, but have failed to have a child. They have tried everything from fertility doctors to herbal remedies to try and have a child, but nothing works. Now the way the description on the back is set up, it seems as though Yejide is the only one trying to have a child. But as we read on, we realize she is not alone in her efforts. From the beginning we see that Yejide is a strong spirited woman, who does not take disrespect lightly. It is not hard to develop this character analysis, but it is important to note it, as the events of the story threaten to change it. For four years Yejide has been berated by Akin’s family about being barren and threatening his family lineage. This invasion into her marriage is constant, and she finally has enough after her mother-in-law introduces Akin’s new second wife, who has married Akin for the sole purpose of having a child for him. This infuriates Yejide, as she and Akin had decided their marriage would not be polygamous. After the introduction of the new wife, Yejide takes the matter of getting pregnant into her own hands. This decision opens up a can of worms that unravels as the story progresses, and truly displays the amount of sacrifice that a couple will go through to have a child.Now Akin on the other hand, is the character that had captivated my full interest by the end of my read. His character development had me on the edge of my seat as I kept reading on, which is what I think made the book that much more interesting. Usually when we think of fertility and starting a family, we solely focus on the mother and how she is handling the situation. Adebayo gives us a unique and truly captivating perspective from the father’s end of the struggle to start a family. To those considering reading this book, I advise you to be prepared for the twists and turns that surround Akin’s character. They are truly unexpected but at the same time really show his investment in having a child with Yejide, despite the circumstances.One aspect of the book that I did not really appreciate until the end of the book was the switching of point of view from Yejide to Akin throughout the book. The switches were subtle and often unrecognizable until a page or two into the chapter, which made the read a bit confusing at times. However, towards the end of the book, I began to understand why Adebayo chose to write from both perspectives. Without giving too much away, I can say that there is a shift in hope towards the end of the story, which explains the switch in perspectives.I know I already mentioned this before, but I loveddd the unexpectedness of the plot. The twists and turns are why I 100% would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in it. It’s a beautifully written and truly captivating story that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire read.

You don’t get to end the book with little to no resolve from a mother who left for 13+ years and comes back sheepishly to her marital home to then recognize her daughter and never open the pandora box of the love she once had with the husband …Nah, I left feeling very empty after reading this book. It was a very haphazard ending.Phenomenal author, danced around sexual innuendo with descriptive verbiage, nonetheless I love supporting Nigerian authors especially female.

Praise for Adebayo and her brilliant storytelling abilities. This was such a painfully beautiful story. I love how she weaved Nigerian culture into the book.In the beginning, seeing the timeline jump back and forth and seeing the different POVs of all the characters didn’t stick but as we got into the plot it all made sense. Dotun and Akin? Hated them. Yejide? GIRL STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. I think the glaringly obvious message I got from this book was to live in your truth and not succumb to societal pressures. All of the heartbreak Yejide had could’ve been avoided had Akin just decided to be truthful with his wife. I’m so mad just thinking about all he drug that lady and them children through. Nevertheless, 4/5 stars. Would’ve been 5 stars had Yejide been vindicated. I feel like the book ended with her still being the villain in everybody’s story. Justice for Yejide!

Michiko Kakutani in her review of the novel for The New York Times described Adébáyọ̀ as "an exceptional storyteller", adding: "She writes not just with extraordinary grace but with genuine wisdom about love and loss and the possibility of redemption. She has written a powerfully magnetic and heartbreaking book."

Heartbreaking in the best of ways. I couldn't put it down, had to resist the urge to continue reading while in traffic.

What am I supposed to read before bed now? Stay with me is quite the page turner- heart breaking in some parts and a renewal in hope in others. I can't compare it to anything else I've read in the last little while and I can't wait to re-read this book again.

Stunning. Emotive. Gut wrenching.Stay With Me is a story about Yejide and Akin, a couple in love but struggling to have children.This is the first time I have read a book and saw valid reasons for the wrong doings of both of the main characters. The book had me sitting on the fence, I did not know who to side with.I loved the exploration of fertility issues from both sides of the marriage. The burden and mental stress on Yejide’s body and the pressures surrounding Akin were so well written. I had tears in my eyes, reading through Yejide’s mental state whilst she was trying to conceive. This book will stay with me for a very long time.

Stay With Me.A powerful and truly African story.Hats off to Ayobami Adebayo for her debut novel. I bought this book after reading her second book, ‘A Spell of Good Things’, which was long-listed for the 2023 Booker’s Prize, and she was unfortunate that she didn’t get the prize.Ayobami has chosen a very delicate and sensitive topic of male impotence and his ego and has challenged the typical patriarchal Nigerian society. The narration is flawless and emotionally charged, and she ensures that the female lead always has an edge.I was thinking of a different ending.This story and even acknowledgements show that she is not influenced by any European colonialism or American empire, which writers from South-Asian and African countries consider a must-have and inescapable.I recommend one must have this book on their bookshelf.Five stars and a stroke of good luck for her bright future, including a Nobel in literature.Majul.Delhi.India.

Me encanto, una historia hermosa, me mantuvo interesada desde el principio hasta el final. No podía soltarlo. Súper triste pero vale mucho la pena, refleja muchos malestares de la sociedad.

Je recommande ce livre ! Il est juste excellent et se lit rapidement.Je pense peut-être le relire en français.