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Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo

Stay with Me

by Ayobami Adebayo

  • Critics' Consensus (11):
  • Published:
  • Aug 2017, 272 pages
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There are currently 23 member reviews
for Stay with Me
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  • Neil H. Wasserman (Orlando, FL)
    A Fantatic Book - Not To Be Missed!
    Truly an outstanding book, Stay with Me, is one of the best books I have ever read! Because it is written in a unique style, it is extremely challenging to read rapidly. However, it is an extremely accurate exposition of any and all relationships between two people! To me, a child clinical psychologist for fifty years it was very insightful about relationships between two or more people – spouses, parents/children, lovers and/or close siblings. Take your time and read slowly and thoroughly! It is a "must read" for adults of all ages!
  • Janet H. (Utica, NY)
    Stay with Me
    Set in Nigeria, this book describes a culture very different than my own. However those differences were forgotten quickly as the story describes emotions--hope, joy, grief, anger, loss, love-- that are universally understood. The author switches perspectives between two of the parties in a marriage and in so doing, enabled me to sympathize with both husband and wife. This was a book I read in two sittings and as painful as some of the scenes were the ending was satisfying.
  • Maggie R. (Canoga Park, CA)
    Heartbreaking
    Stay With Me engaged and maintained my investment in a flawed couple and their maddening families. The unsustainable fit of a modern couple with their traditional culture leads to layers of deception and misery with a sustained background tension that never lets up. Recommended for those who appreciated The Vegetarian and Half of a Yellow Sun.
  • Cheryl P. (Lebanon, PA)
    Gripping
    From the first sentence, "I must leave this city today and come to you", I was reeled in. Poignant love story - the characters are real and their pain and loss is felt with every turn of the page. Fascinating how the characters evolved throughout the story. This love story of this young Nigerian couple has no boundaries. Nigerian customs, cultural norms, and language bring this book to life. Yejide and Akin just want to be a young, happily married couple but then then fate turns them a cold shoulder and shadows them with deceit, death, heartache, and infidelity. Their story takes a turn towards hope and new life in the end. Just excellent.
  • Kimberly H. (Stamford, CT)
    Debut novel- highly recommend.
    A Nigerian marriage and life in the '90's amid turmoil. Wonderfully written-- best book I have read in a few months. Just short listed for 2017 Bailey's Women's Prize for fiction- quite a feat for her!
  • Karen L. (Wilton, IA)
    Couldn't put it down
    I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what would happen next. The characters were very well developed. I cared what happened to them. It was a mystery too. I didn't figure out the reason for their infertility until the character found out. Everything was very realistic. I think this would be a great book for book clubs to discuss. While I was reading the book I could imagine discussing this with my book club.
  • Patricia W. (Homewood, AL)
    A Bright Star
    This is a wonderful book. It touched me on so many levels as a woman, wife and mother. Written very well with believable characters. Interesting details about another country with its cultures and beliefs. Yejide is a complex woman, who is insecure with her own self worth and looking for love and stability. During her marriage with Akin, there are struggles with his family's expectations and although he truly loves her he has his secrets. Politically, Nigeria is in constant turmoil and this makes daily life extremely hard on everyone.

    The main thread through the book is about love, loss and forgiveness. I would highly recommend this book to any reader.

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