The book has a very captivating title that already gives the reader an idea of what the book would entail. It is a very traditional story deeply rooted in far-back cultures and beliefs. The writer is also very detailed in his description of the things, persons, and events that took place in the book. I must commend him. I personally love how the beginning (chapter one) of the story was written, captivating and intriguing the mind of the reader.
However, the next chapters were confusing and rendered me lost seeing that they took me far way back into the history of the villages. Plus it emphasized more on the characters that were not as significant as Ihuaku or the chief priest himself who are supposed to be the book interest.
I however enjoyed the story, adages and lessons gotten from those chapters. Like the description of rain as a fierce opponent in battle, teaches that we acknowledging defeat is not always cowardice, fear or weakness but an act of awareness of our enemies strength and acceptance of one’s limit, which is wisdom itself. Also the adage ‘ No one marries his mother’ is an advice to to Okeziri to give up everythought of marrying Ihuaku as it would be close to impossible.
Moreso, the advice given by the father(Iyi) to his sons Amadi and Nma teaches that sometimes in other to survive in this world, it is good to be a bit complex, give people other reasons to get distracted from focusing on your life to avoid becoming unnecessary target for evil and wicked schemes. Also not forgetting the role Oke played in the psychological and emotional state of Nma after his stay with his captors for three months in his journey on the search for his father’s land.
A lesson to all not to be judgemental and quick to condemn people without proper knowledge of the reasons behind their choice of life path. We should be more like Oke who was very sensitive and sympathetic of Nma and sought solution to his predicament.
I would have loved the ending chapters to fall back into talking more about Ihuaku before she became pregnant, how and when it happened and her ordeals through that time, plus her relationship with the district officer. I expected it to be more detailed rather than just given in bits.
Characters like Ihuaku, the chief priest, Okeziri and Nma her husband should have been the limelight of the story.
With so much lessons to be learnt also from Ihuaku’s use of beauty and connections with the white man to achieve her desires, to it teachings on determination and survival against many odds in the case of Nma, Amadi and Ihuaku.
To a wider extent it also provides useful means of combating crises and disputes by dialogue and ‘trade by barter’ that is by compromise which is a rather peaceful way.
In conclusion, the book, wife of the gods is a very educative writing that can be used to educate the younger ones of their historical cultures, beliefs and practices. It is a good recommendation for secondary schools especially in subjects as literature and history.
- Eke Emmanuella