Fiction

His Only Wife

His Only Wife

  • Downloads：4959
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-03-16 03:15:30
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Peace Adzo Medie
  • ISBN：B08HBRQRDL
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

“Elikem married me in absentia; he did not come to our wedding。”

Afi Tekple is a young seamstress whose life is narrowing rapidly。 She lives in a small town in Ghana with her widowed mother， spending much of her time in her uncle Pious’s house with his many wives and children。 Then one day she is offered a life-changing opportunity—a proposal of marriage from the wealthy family of Elikem Ganyo， a man she doesn’t truly know。 She acquiesces， but soon realizes that Elikem is not quite the catch he seemed。 He sends a stand-in to his own wedding， and only weeks after Afi is married and installed in a plush apartment in the capital city of Accra does she meet her new husband。 It turns out that he is in love with another woman， whom his family disapproves of; Afi is supposed to win him back on their behalf。 But it is Accra that eventually wins Afi’s heart and gives her a life of independence that she never could have imagined for herself。

A brilliant scholar and a fierce advocate for women’s rights， author Peace Adzo Medie infuses her debut novel with intelligence and humor。 For readers of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Candice Carty-Williams， His Only Wife is the story of an indomitable and relatable heroine that illuminates what it means to be a woman in a rapidly changing world。

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Reviews

Daniela Godreau ，

Per another review “A lifetime movie set in Ghana”

Albert ，

It was an easy ready， because the writer choose to present a hollow story。 This is disappointing， because there is a lot potential that was left unmined。 The first person narrative voice was a wise choice， given that the main character was thrust into a world she knew little about， so we went along as she discovered。 However， the writer focused more on telling what was happening， rather than showing and this made the story feel rushed and unexplored。 The main character was not likeable too， afte It was an easy ready， because the writer choose to present a hollow story。 This is disappointing， because there is a lot potential that was left unmined。 The first person narrative voice was a wise choice， given that the main character was thrust into a world she knew little about， so we went along as she discovered。 However， the writer focused more on telling what was happening， rather than showing and this made the story feel rushed and unexplored。 The main character was not likeable too， after a while she became entitled and it just didn't make sense。 I wish more time was spent to explore the issues that were raised because they are deserving。 。。。more

Jodi ，

This was not what I expected。 It was better。 I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of life in Ghana。 More than that， I have thought a lot about how we negotiate our relationships， as well as how money and power can influence our expectations and what is acceptable。 I am not done thinking about this one。

Phyllis ，

Audiobook。 3 1/2 stars

Laken Horton ，

This is a phenomenal story of a woman coming into who she truly is and knowing what she deserves。 The story follows Afi， a young Ghanaian woman who has experienced the standard of what life has to offer until she is arranged to be married to what I imagine， based on the description， to be a fine well-to-do specimen， unfortunately this man is in an entanglement that has his family off the rails and calling afi for assistance。 It’s a must read！ Your emotions will be all over the place and the endi This is a phenomenal story of a woman coming into who she truly is and knowing what she deserves。 The story follows Afi， a young Ghanaian woman who has experienced the standard of what life has to offer until she is arranged to be married to what I imagine， based on the description， to be a fine well-to-do specimen， unfortunately this man is in an entanglement that has his family off the rails and calling afi for assistance。 It’s a must read！ Your emotions will be all over the place and the ending will have you truly thinking about how twisted your own mind is cause the decision she makes would most definitely not be the decision I’d make！ 。。。more

Amber ，

Fun and fast read that I appreciated for its ability to tackle complicated social issues with dignity and new perspectives。 I’ve read books about arranged marriages - but never one like this。 The main character shows tremendous personal growth。 And that is the book’s drawback: we’re told of her tremendous growth without really being shown。 It didn’t fully seem earned to me。 This was so much the case that I didn’t realize I was on the last page of the （digital） book until it ended。 Even so， I’d r Fun and fast read that I appreciated for its ability to tackle complicated social issues with dignity and new perspectives。 I’ve read books about arranged marriages - but never one like this。 The main character shows tremendous personal growth。 And that is the book’s drawback: we’re told of her tremendous growth without really being shown。 It didn’t fully seem earned to me。 This was so much the case that I didn’t realize I was on the last page of the （digital） book until it ended。 Even so， I’d read the author’s next book as I want to understand the world her characters inhabit。 。。。more

Precious Sagbodje ，

This was an amusing story。 Not satisfying but amusing。PSWhile Eli wanted to eat his cake and have it， Afi too also wanted to eat her cake and have it。

Kefranks ，

Good story but got bogged down in extraneous details two thirds of the way in。 Ending was fulfilling and not really predictable。

Shawn ，

What an emotional rideThis was a wonderful read that I devoured in one sitting。 The evolution of the main character keeps the reader ultimately invested in her story。

Akida J ，

Great writing， and a great， well-paced story！ His Only Wife explores modern day polygamy in Ghana and the expectations and restrictions that still exist for women。 The characters balance cultural norms and societal expectations with patriarchy and self-actualisation。 There's a great storyline too， with just the right amount of drama。I found myself really rooting for Afi throughout the book， even while I （mistakenly） sympathised with Eli。 To me the ending was a happy one， indicative of a woman's Great writing， and a great， well-paced story！ His Only Wife explores modern day polygamy in Ghana and the expectations and restrictions that still exist for women。 The characters balance cultural norms and societal expectations with patriarchy and self-actualisation。 There's a great storyline too， with just the right amount of drama。I found myself really rooting for Afi throughout the book， even while I （mistakenly） sympathised with Eli。 To me the ending was a happy one， indicative of a woman's strength overcoming a man's sense of entitlement。 。。。more

Renee ，

The most interesting parts of the book were about Ghana。 I knew it was a poor country。 I was surprised to learn that there are also very rich people and modern things happening there。 The competition between traditional ways and modernization was interesting。

Susan Reeves deMasi ，

Just didn't do much for me。 Just didn't do much for me。 。。。more

Joy ，

3。5/5

Lisa Konet ，

WOW！！ This book was amazing。 It was highly relatable when it comes to the aspects on dating and marriage and wanting to be loved and accepted。 I loved Afi as the main character， she has a strong voice given her circumstances。 An arranged marriage？ What can go wrong with that？ Her new husband， who she did not meet until later is in love with someone else， no one approves of。 Afi fights to be the only on his life and to be seen and heard。This was beyond my expectation and I read it quickly because WOW！！ This book was amazing。 It was highly relatable when it comes to the aspects on dating and marriage and wanting to be loved and accepted。 I loved Afi as the main character， she has a strong voice given her circumstances。 An arranged marriage？ What can go wrong with that？ Her new husband， who she did not meet until later is in love with someone else， no one approves of。 Afi fights to be the only on his life and to be seen and heard。This was beyond my expectation and I read it quickly because the story was so relatable and compelling。 I can see this as a book club favorite but for different reasons。 So glad my library had this！ 。。。more

Greta Stahl ，

3。5 stars rounded up。 It was a super fast read， the main character is well developed， and the story is engaging。 The biggest issue for me was the end felt a little anticlimactic and rushed。

Jolie Blake ，

A great story of about awakening ones inner feminist titan！ It is so frustrating that women are the ones that are expected to fold， compromise and sacrifice their needs for a man's。 I loved that this book forced me to ask questions about how I compromise personally and professionally to appease others。 I particularly loved how the author slowly built Afi's explosive transformation。 It started with internal questions then she became quietly vocal and then she erupted！ I awaited this eruption anxi A great story of about awakening ones inner feminist titan！ It is so frustrating that women are the ones that are expected to fold， compromise and sacrifice their needs for a man's。 I loved that this book forced me to ask questions about how I compromise personally and professionally to appease others。 I particularly loved how the author slowly built Afi's explosive transformation。 It started with internal questions then she became quietly vocal and then she erupted！ I awaited this eruption anxiously。 You knew it was coming and it was so satisfying to read。 There is also too many good take-home messages here to list them all but one thing is certain， financial independence is key。 。。。more

Meg Mulder ，

I wanted to love this， expected to love this - I mean that first sentence: “Elikem married me in absentia” - but I just didn’t。 The action-packed beginning turned quickly into a rather OTT romance where nothing much happened and Afi， who I had initially liked a lot， became consumed by a vapid guilelessness。 The last chapter redeemed the plot somewhat and the Afi I’d enjoyed to begin with returned， although things were tied up a bit too neatly。 I do appreciate that Medie， with her background in g I wanted to love this， expected to love this - I mean that first sentence: “Elikem married me in absentia” - but I just didn’t。 The action-packed beginning turned quickly into a rather OTT romance where nothing much happened and Afi， who I had initially liked a lot， became consumed by a vapid guilelessness。 The last chapter redeemed the plot somewhat and the Afi I’d enjoyed to begin with returned， although things were tied up a bit too neatly。 I do appreciate that Medie， with her background in gender studies has provided a unique insight into female experience and polygamy in Ghana with a nuanced lens - the men aren’t all evil villains， for example - and without being too didactic either。 I would definitely give her next book a try。 。。。more

Tayla ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I received an e-copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。This book follows Afi who lives in a small town in Ghana until one day she is offered a life-changing opportunity - a marriage proposal from Eli's family。 She reluctantly goes along with the wedding and on the special day learns that Eli will not even be attending， sending a stand-in instead。 Weeks after marriage， she is taken to live in a fancy apartment in Accra where she eventually meets her husband。 Afi learns wh I received an e-copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。This book follows Afi who lives in a small town in Ghana until one day she is offered a life-changing opportunity - a marriage proposal from Eli's family。 She reluctantly goes along with the wedding and on the special day learns that Eli will not even be attending， sending a stand-in instead。 Weeks after marriage， she is taken to live in a fancy apartment in Accra where she eventually meets her husband。 Afi learns why she the family approached her with the marriage proposal: Eli is in love with another woman （a woman who has had his children） who the family disapprove of， using Afi as a way to try to draw him away from the woman into a happy marriage。 Afi starts to fall in love with Eli but still feels second best to the other woman。 She builds a life of her own in Accra， including a business and growing independence but she is still not happy。 Will her marriage succeed or will she be doomed to be the other woman who he comes home late to forever。I enjoyed this book and found exploring the polyamorous relationships Eli and many men in Ghana have very interesting。 The expectations on women are very traditional （cooking and cleaning， raising children and meeting their husbands every need） and seeing Afi's struggles of trying to perform the role she had been raised and pressured to do when living in a posh household with people hired to do every role for them was powerful as it showed how powerless this made Afi feel at first。 Afi has pressure from everyone to 'win' Eli and when that doesn't seem to be working， faces more and more problems from those who have high expectations on her。 I also really liked seeing Afi take her life into her control even when her family told her not to in order to build herself a successful career。 Her mother is very traditional and so Afi showing that woman can be businesswomen and not have to bow to their husbands every need showed the cultural changes that were occuring in the next generation。Afi isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in or to fight for what she wants， especially when she learns she is pregnant and wants the best for her unborn child。 Eli's excuse for everything he does throughout the book is surrounding his daughter， but now Afi has a chance to argue the same thing: the flat isn't big enough to raise their child， their child should see their father daily not when he feels like turning up。 Eli clearly doesn't like being told what to do by Afi （especially when she takes off home to make a point） but as a father wants the best for his child and so not-so-secretly seems to agree with Afi。 The ending of this book shows that women do not have to settle into a relationship they are unhappy in， even if a child is involved。 Afi is perfectly capable of raising her child alone and her only request is that their child is not around the other woman。 Even when she ends the relationship， Eli tries to make them live in a house he owns （claiming he doesn't want his child living in a workshop） but Afi stands up for herself and makes it clear that she wants a clean break; anywhere she lives or anything she owns will be in her name and purchased using her money。 Afi is clearly hurting knowing that she couldn't win Eli's heart but ultimately knows that she never will and that in his mind， he already met the woman to be his only wife and it wasn't her。Overall I enjoyed this book and I would be interested in reading future books by this author， or books of a similiar theme。 。。。more

Cheryl ，

I don't know that I had ever read a book set in Ghana before， and now I'm wishing there were more books set there。 This book was vibrant and an interesting look into a culture and traditions that I didn't really know much about。 The characters are complex and flawed and interesting and I enjoyed watching how Afi navigates her arraigned marriage to Eli and the new world of wealth she must learn to navigate and find her own voice。 I would love to see a sequel to this book and see how the character I don't know that I had ever read a book set in Ghana before， and now I'm wishing there were more books set there。 This book was vibrant and an interesting look into a culture and traditions that I didn't really know much about。 The characters are complex and flawed and interesting and I enjoyed watching how Afi navigates her arraigned marriage to Eli and the new world of wealth she must learn to navigate and find her own voice。 I would love to see a sequel to this book and see how the characters continue their journey。 。。。more

Leah ，

If I had rated this book half way through I would have only given it three stars。 The main character was so frustrating to me。 However the last 3 chapters tied it all together and I loved it！！！

Jen ，

I very much enjoyed reading His Only Wife。 Set in Ghana， it follows the story of Afi who finds herself the sort-of-willing participant in an arranged marriage。The light-hearted tone， often wry observations and zippy pace meant I effortlessly read this book， even though the story was one that left me with raised eyebrows as it is set in a culture very different from mine， where women are still expected to， essentially， know their place。 Therein lies the crux of this story。The opening sentence set I very much enjoyed reading His Only Wife。 Set in Ghana， it follows the story of Afi who finds herself the sort-of-willing participant in an arranged marriage。The light-hearted tone， often wry observations and zippy pace meant I effortlessly read this book， even though the story was one that left me with raised eyebrows as it is set in a culture very different from mine， where women are still expected to， essentially， know their place。 Therein lies the crux of this story。The opening sentence sets the scene nicely – Afi’s husband doesn’t actually bother attending their wedding。 If you are wondering how this can possibly be legal， it is a traditional wedding， rather than one with a marriage certificate。 The traditional wedding also means men can have more than one wife （women cannot have more than one husband）。Afi’s is chosen by her new husband’s mother as an ideal solution to a problem。 The problem being that Eli is in a relationship （and has a child） with a woman who refuses to play be the rules society demands of her， she won’t change her life to become a dutiful wife and won’t bend to the demands of her potential mother-in-law。 So Afi is drafted in to keep Eli on the right path and be a textbook dutiful wife。This is something Afi struggles with and it is her character development that makes the story such a joy to read。 She has a passion for making clothes and wants to be a designer， she has friends she enjoys socialising with， she has her own strong will and ideas and this is something she has to balance against the way she was raised – to pretty much fulfil the achievement of becoming a good， dutiful wife。His Only Wife was a glimpse into a different culture for me and Afi was the true star of this read。 She understands what is expected of her within her culture， while not being scared to question it and never forgetting that she is allowed to have her own happiness too。 She is not just there to fulfil the traditional subservient role of a woman。Effortless to read， the plot was enticing and threw a few curve balls to keep things interesting。 No spoilers， but I’m very glad this book ended the way it did – it set the final defiant note perfectly。 。。。more

Chinyere ，

The author， I found is an academic writer on topics of gender （i believe）， I was really impressed that they let Afi grow。 they didn't rush Afi into finding her self as a woman or ever even mention the word feminism or any behaviours west African people use to describe women who want more。 I felt that showed a talent for character buildingAfi was allowed to grow and naturally find herself by herself and with help from other women too。 Her own private feminist movement untouched by western influen The author， I found is an academic writer on topics of gender （i believe）， I was really impressed that they let Afi grow。 they didn't rush Afi into finding her self as a woman or ever even mention the word feminism or any behaviours west African people use to describe women who want more。 I felt that showed a talent for character buildingAfi was allowed to grow and naturally find herself by herself and with help from other women too。 Her own private feminist movement untouched by western influence。When Afi refused to talk to Yaya because she "didn't want her performance of womanhood criticized by yet another human being" I clapped。I loved the touch on charity。 It helped drive a conversation on if charity and NGOs are a good way to help us in West Africa or simply a band-aid for the mess colonialism， capitalism and imperialism has made of Africa。I do feel like the character of Eli was not adequately developed， I was just wondering what is this person thinking？ although the story as it is told from Afi's POV made it understandable（ Afi could sometimes be quite an unreliable narrator）， Eli could have been allowed to grow in front of our "eyes" so we better understand his motivations。A simple plot， simple words but heavy punches， you laugh swoon， think and aww while reading this awfully pretty book 。。。more

Janet ，

Thought there would be more substance。 Chick Lit imo。

Baje Bookclub - Dawn ，

This is debut novel took me on a journey。 Afi， who was young and had dreams， chose to be in an arranged marriage。 This story takes you through her life with her husband Eli， her family and his family。 Throughout the story， there was friendship， support， single parenting， poverty， family traditions & expectations， relationships， love， marriage， dreams， maturity， devastation， hope， hurt， shock， determination， commitment。。。。Halfway through this novel， I said out loud “Damnit， man no man。 Stupse！” T This is debut novel took me on a journey。 Afi， who was young and had dreams， chose to be in an arranged marriage。 This story takes you through her life with her husband Eli， her family and his family。 Throughout the story， there was friendship， support， single parenting， poverty， family traditions & expectations， relationships， love， marriage， dreams， maturity， devastation， hope， hurt， shock， determination， commitment。。。。Halfway through this novel， I said out loud “Damnit， man no man。 Stupse！” This story was set in Ghana but this story about about life， reality and making decisions。 Happy sigh。 I really enjoyed and loved this story。 I truly see why this is a book that you must read。 Thank you Peace Adzo Medie。 。。。more

Heather ，

I tore through this book。 One million stars！

A'Llyn Ettien ，

An interesting variation on the story of a poor young woman marrying into a wealthy family and becoming （essentially） a princess。 How she deals with her new fortune， and how she deals with her husband's long-term relationship with another woman， are two parts of her growing up to become her own person。 An interesting variation on the story of a poor young woman marrying into a wealthy family and becoming （essentially） a princess。 How she deals with her new fortune， and how she deals with her husband's long-term relationship with another woman， are two parts of her growing up to become her own person。 。。。more

V ，

3。5

Chloe Halpenny ，

not a lot *happened* but i enjoyed the ride

Marcia Fitzpatrick ，

Interesting， not the best book but kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading。

Laura Boshart ，

A Ghana story of a strong young woman who does not want to share her husband with another wife！

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=His Only Wife

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=His Only Wife&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,His Only Wife&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0