I got sent this book by the author to review and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I saw the book cover but my curiosity was piqued because what story could be told about four housebroken women?
The plot delves into the raw and complex realities of four women: Itunu, Stephanie, Ekomobong, and Rose, each navigating their own struggles and aspirations in a world that demands conformity and perfection.
King’s strength lies in her ability to craft characters that feel achingly real. One might perceive Itunu as ungrateful for having a husband who showers her with gifts and money, Ekomobong as selfish for wanting to have her cake and eat it too with Alex, Rose as a spineless doormat under Ike, or Stephanie as a wannabe social climber. However, fate is neither a wicked goddess nor a benevolent deity; it just is.
Sometimes in life, we consider ourselves to be better than our neighbours in one way or another, but this book holds a mirror to our faces, showing that especially as women, we share more in common than we might think, education and pedigree notwithstanding.
Beneath the public personas we present are our real selves, flaws and humanity exposed. The biggest takeaway from this book is that we should all have more compassion for ourselves and for others.
The book is available for purchase here.
For Bibliotherapy:
If you don’t understand what Bibliotherapy is, you can go ahead to read my post about it here.
We don’t choose our families or childhoods, yet they profoundly impact who we become.
In a world that favors strength, grit, and hustle culture, admitting emotional damage feels like weakness. Self-awareness is the first step towards personal change, and bibliotherapy provides a window into others’ experiences, helping us to better understand our own challenges.
This novel goes beyond physical abuse, revealing the scars left by verbal attacks and unmet needs. Rose, once vibrant, withers under Ike’s constant belittling. Brume’s self-esteem crumbles under his materialistic wife’s relentless criticism.
More importantly, the book explores how parenting styles ripple through generations. Ekomobong’s inability to confront her past prevents her from being the mother her child desperately needs. We also see how Rose’s clinging to a broken marriage hinders her child’s development, while Jamike’s mistreatment of Itunu drives their son to a desperate act, out of fear of turning out just like his father.
“The Housebroken Women” reminds us that self-awareness in parenting is crucial. It also highlights the power of stories to illuminate our choices and the importance of loving others for who they truly need to be loved, not how we expect them to be.
By acknowledging our emotional wounds and learning from others’ struggles, we can break free from the past and build a brighter future. Ultimately, it’s up to us to be aware of our own choices, the impact they have on our lives, and learn to love people in the way they truly need.
Until our next conversation,
Nwaanyi Ije
