Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 18/04/2025
Published by: Bolinda/HarperCollins UK
ISBN: 9780008723811
‘Dream Count’ shines in its sharp, thought-provoking observations woven into the stories of four Black women.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Characters:
Narration & Audio:
It didn’t take long for the lush writing and seamless transitions to seize my attention and immerse me in the exploration of friendship, family, identity, and love at the heart of this novel. The countless insights and themes, such as misogyny, social class, and beauty standards, further elevated the stories of the four leading characters and resonated deeply with me. I also enjoyed the listening experience as Adichie, Sandra Okuboyejo, A’rese Emokpae, and Janina Edwards infused each journey with emotional depth and fitting accents, making the audiobook truly immersive.
Our close friends are small glimpses into us
We follow Chiamaka, a wealthy Nigerian travel writer and hopeless romantic, as she reflects on past loves, adventures, and regrets during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Zikora, her successful best friend, faces heartbreak and grows closer to the person she least expected. Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, endures hardships that make her journey the most compelling. Then there’s Omelogor, my personal favourite and Chiamaka’s ambitious and bold cousin. Her story raises questions about success, happiness, self-worth and social norms.
If our daughters do not know how beautiful they are, just as they are, then surely we have failed.
These four women stood out as fully realized characters, distinct in their complexities and imperfections. While I appreciated the diverse perspectives provided, I felt the novel stretched a bit long and could have done with one fewer point of view (POV). I also wished for a stronger thread that interconnected the four stories.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Which of the four stories stood out most to you?
Kadiatou’s. Her journey—from living in a small village to immigrating to the U.S. and experiencing sexual assault—was heartbreaking. The resilience she showed and her growth throughout made it even more powerful. Mentions of her experiences in the other stories and the author’s note also made it feel like the core of the book.
Q: What are your thoughts on the mother-daughter relationships in the book?
These relationships were presented in varying degrees in each story, but it was Zikora’s strained yet evolving relationship with her mother that stood out most to me. I went from hating her mother’s coldness and indifference to sympathising with her and rooting for their relationship. Still, I felt that the novel focuses more on romantic relationships than on mother-daughter dynamics, so I was surprised when Adichie’s note at the end revealed that the book was, at its heart, about her mother. As she says, it is not an obvious connection, but I think Zikora’s story reflects this most clearly.
Q: How many countries have you travelled to and/or how many are on your bucket list?
I’ve been to a few countries—Nigeria, Singapore, Germany, Spain and Honduras—but my bucket list is still long! I especially want to explore more countries in Africa and Asia.
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
I recommend Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku for a short story collection with similar themes. For a full-length novel that hits emotional and cultural notes in a similar way, I recommend Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀.
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Q: What are some of the commentaries or topics that stood out most to you?
Q: If you could remove or expand one character’s perspective, who would it be and why?
Q: Did you wish for stronger links between their stories, or did the subtle interconnections work for you?
Q: If you’ve used dating apps, what was your experience like?
Q: Do you see yourself in any of the main characters?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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