His Only Wife

His Only Wife

  • Downloads:5011
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-06-26 08:51:47
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Peace Adzo Medie
  • ISBN:0861540697
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Afi Tekple is a young seamstress living in a small town in Ghana with her widowed mother。 Even Afi doesn’t believe her future holds much excitement。 Until one day she is offered a life-changing opportunity – a proposal of marriage from the wealthy family of Elikem Ganyo, a man she barely knows。 Marriage could be the key to the life she's always wanted, but when she meets Eli, she realises her fairy-tale ending might not be so straightforward。 Elikem is not quite the catch he first seemed, and his affections are otherwise engaged。 As she balances the often conflicting roles of wife, daughter, niece and sister-in-law, Afi starts to question whether she has made the right choice。

Bursting with warmth and humour, His Only Wife is a witty, smart and moving comedy-of-manners about the search for independence, and the rules that might have to be broken along the way。

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Reviews

Sarah

3。75

Amy Margaret

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie left me with mixed feelings。 It has taken me some time to think on how I want to review it。 My usual style is to review pretty much as soon as I finish to capture my initial thoughts, but I was conflicted after this one。 I picked this book as I am trying to diversify my reading, and this is a novel by a Ghanaian author, set is Ghana。 I don't know a lot about West African culture, and this book did help me learn more about the pressures and duties on Ghanaian wom His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie left me with mixed feelings。 It has taken me some time to think on how I want to review it。 My usual style is to review pretty much as soon as I finish to capture my initial thoughts, but I was conflicted after this one。 I picked this book as I am trying to diversify my reading, and this is a novel by a Ghanaian author, set is Ghana。 I don't know a lot about West African culture, and this book did help me learn more about the pressures and duties on Ghanaian women to be good daughters, wives and mothers, however I never felt connected or invested in the characters。 My delay in reviewing is due to me taking time to reflect and consider why this is, and I wonder whether it is due to cultural or value differences。  I found it hard to connect with the protagonist as her anger was directed toward a woman that she had never met and who was around long before her。 I felt her husband was weak and entitled and I struggled with the imbalance within the relationships。 On top of this, I felt sympathetic towards the "other woman"。 I am sure that this book will appeal to many but I just didn't enjoy it as I had hoped I would。 That being said, I am glad I read it and will continue to seek out books set in and written by authors from other countries。 ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)。 。。。more

Emma Maclean

An easy to read beach style novel of one woman’s journey to find herself in modern Ghana。 Very enjoyable。

Lisa

This was a quick read。 I enjoyed the story but felt there were a lot of holes。

Alessia

3。25/5 it did what it had to do, the ending felt a lil too rushed。

Kaitlyn

The opening of this book intrigued me and set up a lot of possible tensions - Afi marries a man she barely knows in a ceremony he’s not even present at, as a way to help his family help him leave the so-they-claim “terrible” woman he has been seeing。 But Afi does not really grow as a character。 Nor does her husband。 The characters are all pretty flat, and unfortunately the interesting ones don’t really appear much in the narrative。 It’s also very heavy on exposition and has a random encounter wi The opening of this book intrigued me and set up a lot of possible tensions - Afi marries a man she barely knows in a ceremony he’s not even present at, as a way to help his family help him leave the so-they-claim “terrible” woman he has been seeing。 But Afi does not really grow as a character。 Nor does her husband。 The characters are all pretty flat, and unfortunately the interesting ones don’t really appear much in the narrative。 It’s also very heavy on exposition and has a random encounter with a man that felt like it should amount to something but didn’t。 And the end came abruptly。 A cover quote compares this book to Crazy Rich Asians, a comparison I do not understand。 Crazy Rich Asians is full of interesting, quirky, delightfully complex characters and excellent tensions, set-up / payoff。 This book has none of that。 。。。more

phenneone

A Strong WomanI really enjoyed reading this book。 The main character Afi had a roller coaster life: she experienced loss and poverty, and she dealt with many deceitful people。 I admired that she stayed true to herself。There was no offensive language or profanity, and no graphic sex。I highly recommend this book。

Susan

"I have to fight for what I want, for what's mine。" "I have to fight for what I want, for what's mine。" 。。。more

Kela Calvin

Extraordinary!!!I loved this story!!! This book was written out of the box and proved that women can break free from cultural norms。 Kudos to this author!!!

Aubree

Afi and Eli are married by proxy when he can’t make it to their wedding。 They don’t live in the same house and it’s weeks before he even comes to visit her。 Not the best start to a marriage- even an arranged one set up by Eli’s family because they don’t like the other woman he is seeing (and has a child with)。 This domestic drama takes place in Ghana and explores the polygamous culture of the country。 I loved a glimpse into life in Ghana and was totally sucked into this story。 The characters wer Afi and Eli are married by proxy when he can’t make it to their wedding。 They don’t live in the same house and it’s weeks before he even comes to visit her。 Not the best start to a marriage- even an arranged one set up by Eli’s family because they don’t like the other woman he is seeing (and has a child with)。 This domestic drama takes place in Ghana and explores the polygamous culture of the country。 I loved a glimpse into life in Ghana and was totally sucked into this story。 The characters were varied and interesting。 Afi was not a super strong protagonist, but I didn’t really think she needed to be。 Though I didn’t agree with all her choices, I could see why she made them。 The ending was interesting and the writing very good。 It was a little unbelievable how much she claimed to love Eli as the story went on- was it actually love? Their relationship seemed more physical。 And unhealthy from the start of course。 The family relationships were all very interesting as well。 I think it would be interesting to read the story from the other woman’s perspective。 After all, she was with Eli first…Content warning: bedroom scenes between a married couple- not super explicit but not totally closed door 。。。more

Marilyn

Recently West African books and Nordic books have been competing for my favorites。 This book features young woman Afi who enters an arranged marriage with Eli, whose family disapproves of his girlfriend。 Afi is to be the cure。 She is a stronger than she knows。 I felt the book was both well-written and a great story。 Also a big plus is learning more about life in Ghana。 4。5

Jane Igharo

This gripping novel shows the burden women often have to carry all in the name of culture and family expectations。 Women have to deal with sooo much!! It was great seeing Afi’s growth - from a girl who said “please” every time she spoke to her husband and wanted to please everyone, to a woman who found her voice and stood up for herself! I was damn proud of her!!

Becca。

Everyone except Afi, Evelyn & Mawusi can get out。Would've loved to get Muna's POV。 Everyone except Afi, Evelyn & Mawusi can get out。Would've loved to get Muna's POV。 。。。more

Jenny Yates

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 This novel is both romantic and feminist。 The narrator, Afi Tekple, is young and naïve, a seamstress in a small town in Ghana。 The novel begins on her wedding day, but the groom, Elikem, is absent。 It doesn’t matter; he can be married by proxy。 Still, it makes Afi feel strange。 She knows very little about her new husband since the marriage was arranged by her mother and Elikem’s mother。 The idea is to get Elikem away from his mistress, a woman disliked by everyone in the family。 Elikem is a duti This novel is both romantic and feminist。 The narrator, Afi Tekple, is young and naïve, a seamstress in a small town in Ghana。 The novel begins on her wedding day, but the groom, Elikem, is absent。 It doesn’t matter; he can be married by proxy。 Still, it makes Afi feel strange。 She knows very little about her new husband since the marriage was arranged by her mother and Elikem’s mother。 The idea is to get Elikem away from his mistress, a woman disliked by everyone in the family。 Elikem is a dutiful son, so he goes along with his mother’s plan。 Still, he lives with his mistress, Muna, with whom he has a child, and installs Afi in a flat by herself in Accra。 His family is much wealthier than Afi’s, and it takes her a while to become accustomed to her opulent and modern surroundings。 She becomes friendly with Evelyn, who lives next door, and is the mistress of Elikem’s brother Richard。 Gradually, Afi and Elikem become closer, and eventually, when Muna is out of town, they sleep together。 She goes to school to improve her sewing skills, and then opens up a boutique with her designs。 When she becomes pregnant, she takes a stand, insisting on living in the main house with Elikem, and under duress, he moves her there, and finds another apartment where he still visits Muna。 Afi has a son。 After a while, Afi realizes that she has fallen in love with Elikem, and she can no longer share him。 And then she accidentally meets Muna, and realizes that nothing she’s heard about her is true。 Afi is a great character, and I liked her very much。 She’s resourceful and strong, yet true to her feelings。 One of the most interesting things about the novel was seeing the complicated kinship patterns in this Ghanaian family。 Everybody is in everybody’s business, and it’s not at all easy to stand up for oneself, to make your own choices and follow through on them。 。。。more

Zoe Woodend

Claimed as the West African version of Crazy Rich Asians and I can certainly see why! Our protagonist Afi is a young woman from Ghana who is asked to marry Eli a wealthy man from Accra。 Eli is already in a relationship with a woman who is disliked by his family so Afi is introduced as a means to get the said woman out of his life。。。。。 Afi knows little about Eli and it soon becomes apparent that life with money is not what she expected。。。。right from the onset i was visualising this on screen (can Claimed as the West African version of Crazy Rich Asians and I can certainly see why! Our protagonist Afi is a young woman from Ghana who is asked to marry Eli a wealthy man from Accra。 Eli is already in a relationship with a woman who is disliked by his family so Afi is introduced as a means to get the said woman out of his life。。。。。 Afi knows little about Eli and it soon becomes apparent that life with money is not what she expected。。。。right from the onset i was visualising this on screen (cant wait for the Netflx adaptation) as its full of crazy drama without being over the top and silly。 Afi is such a likeable character who will draw you in and I liked the side story of her building her own fashion business ( i can see a sequel in the making??!!)。 There's no major plot twists or suspense but its such a fun refreshing debut that it will have you gripped。 Definitely one to pick up if you want a light hearted read。 。。。more

Ama

I absolutely loved the novel。 There was a diverse set of characters, the plot develops with various speeds, keeping the reader on their toes。 I enjoyed the drama and thrill of it all。 I like how contemporary African fiction these days are showing more sides of life and people across the continent。 For those hip to Youtube Nollywood sitcoms, parts of the book reminded me of the show called "skinny girl in transit。"It's a great book if you need a light, carefree summer read。 I absolutely loved the novel。 There was a diverse set of characters, the plot develops with various speeds, keeping the reader on their toes。 I enjoyed the drama and thrill of it all。 I like how contemporary African fiction these days are showing more sides of life and people across the continent。 For those hip to Youtube Nollywood sitcoms, parts of the book reminded me of the show called "skinny girl in transit。"It's a great book if you need a light, carefree summer read。 。。。more

Lauren

This book was a fun summer read。 Lots of tension and a satisfying ending。

Jessica

Soooo so good story!

Mary

This is a very thought provoking story about women in Ghana。 Afi is a strong person, which she needs to survive。

Refiloe

'Elikem married me in absentia, he did not come to our wedding'What an opening line! Nka screama gori 😲🤯A quick summary: Afi is a young, naive Ghanaian woman living with her widowed mother in small village called Ho。 She gets enlisted by Aunty (her mothers employer) to marry her wealthy son Elikem who is bewitched or helplessly in love (depending on who you ask) with a Liberian woman that the family loathes。 So she finds herself in an arranged marriage that she has no say in with a clear directi 'Elikem married me in absentia, he did not come to our wedding'What an opening line! Nka screama gori 😲🤯A quick summary: Afi is a young, naive Ghanaian woman living with her widowed mother in small village called Ho。 She gets enlisted by Aunty (her mothers employer) to marry her wealthy son Elikem who is bewitched or helplessly in love (depending on who you ask) with a Liberian woman that the family loathes。 So she finds herself in an arranged marriage that she has no say in with a clear directive to win this man over, for the sake of the family。。。and it's a ride。 This book is more of a family drama than it is romance (don't let the cover decieve you)。 It deals with patriarchy, class politics and its power dynamics, feminism, independence etc。 What I loved most about this book is Afi's character growth, from very meek and subservient to assertive and being able to stand on her own。 It's an easy read but complex & nuanced。 It would make for interesting discussion with the girls。Engrossing read, ending lagged a bit: 3。5⭐⭐⭐#hisonlywife #bookstagram 。。。more

Femi (The Book Alert)

3。75An enjoyable debut about a contemporary polygamous relationship in modern Ghana。 With standout characters and an easy to follow writing style, I look forward to reading more of the author's work in the future。 3。75An enjoyable debut about a contemporary polygamous relationship in modern Ghana。 With standout characters and an easy to follow writing style, I look forward to reading more of the author's work in the future。 。。。more

Mari

This is a good story。 But it has a certain something that is entirely grounded in believing in monogamy without any interrogation, which is hard for me personally, so I found it a little flat。 But I did enjoy the character development of the main character。

Lethabo Mailula

It was an incredible attempt at an interesting story but it ended up being lacklustre and quite unremarkable。

Jennith Chen

Love will not put food on the table; it won’t hold you at night。You don’t understand, you don’t know how it feels, how much it hurts。 I wish I could be one of those women who are able to live with another person in their marriage, those women who proudly say that they are the farm and the other women is only a garden。 I wish I could be like them but no matter how hard I try I can’t bring myself to accept her。 I love him and I just can’t share him with another woman, I can’t。

Suad K

3。75/5 I particularly loved the end of this book。 I loved watching Afi grow from a naïve young girl who did everything to please people to one who chose what was best for her, no matter the cost or how much it hurt。

Chema Caballero

En el fondo es un culebrón, bien escrito, interesante y con mucha ironía。 Buen reflejo del Ghana actual。

Charmaine Asinuli

I don't even know where to start。 This book had me fighting sleep because I could not put it down。 I was enamoured by the opening line。 This is a character driven tale of family dysfunction。 Afi married Eli in absentia and that sets the tone for the rest of their marriage。 It turns out that Eli is in love, but not with her。 He has had a Liberian mistress for years and his family orchestrated his marriage to Afi in hopes that she would drive his away this mistress as they do not want him to marry I don't even know where to start。 This book had me fighting sleep because I could not put it down。 I was enamoured by the opening line。 This is a character driven tale of family dysfunction。 Afi married Eli in absentia and that sets the tone for the rest of their marriage。 It turns out that Eli is in love, but not with her。 He has had a Liberian mistress for years and his family orchestrated his marriage to Afi in hopes that she would drive his away this mistress as they do not want him to marry her。 At the end of the book, Afi who was introduced to us as a timid, naive village girl has grown into a career woman who can stand up for herself。 Afi asserts that she wants to be the only wife; even if she ceases to be one。 This book is a complex tale of relationships in an elite Ghanaian society that is balanced on a fine edge between tradition and modernity。 This is one of those books that sticks with you and has you thinking about it long after you are done reading it because the relevance of the themes are infinite。 。。。more

Lizzie

Engaging story that didn't have the typical romance ending。 Afi is a young woman from the small town of Ho in Ghana when she is enlisted to marry Eli, the son of the local business owner who controls the town。 Eli is with a woman his family hates because the woman doesn't put up with family nonsense。Afi moves to Accra where she lives in a plush apartment and waits for her husband to visit her or call her。The book is well written and I loved the transformation of Afi throughout her first years of Engaging story that didn't have the typical romance ending。 Afi is a young woman from the small town of Ho in Ghana when she is enlisted to marry Eli, the son of the local business owner who controls the town。 Eli is with a woman his family hates because the woman doesn't put up with family nonsense。Afi moves to Accra where she lives in a plush apartment and waits for her husband to visit her or call her。The book is well written and I loved the transformation of Afi throughout her first years of marriage to Eli。 Well told。 。。。more

Lynne

I rarely finish a book in one day, but His Only Wife is a fast read that catches the reader's interest from the very beginning。 I enjoyed reading a novel set in a culture very different from mine and with a strong main female character。 Although Ghana's marital traditions are not like those in the United States, the author creates a character who has feelings and needs with which almost any reader can connect。 Even though Afi comes into her own as she matures in her relationships during this sto I rarely finish a book in one day, but His Only Wife is a fast read that catches the reader's interest from the very beginning。 I enjoyed reading a novel set in a culture very different from mine and with a strong main female character。 Although Ghana's marital traditions are not like those in the United States, the author creates a character who has feelings and needs with which almost any reader can connect。 Even though Afi comes into her own as she matures in her relationships during this story, I was surprised by her final decision at the end of the book。 This is Ms。 Medie's first novel, but I hope it is not her last。 His Only Wife is sure to create a strong fan base that will be ready to read Ms。 Medie's next book! 。。。more

Mauranda Elise

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Wow wow wowThis book was fustrating, heartbreaking, powerful and needed。 There is so much that i can say about this story。 I quickly fell into the world created in this book。 The writing was so immersive that i got tense during tense parts of the bokks and was thinking about what would happen next even when I wasn’t reading the book right at that moment。 I had to finish it just to get it out of my mind because I couldn’t really focus on much else。 I love that i got that feeling again。 Theres no Wow wow wowThis book was fustrating, heartbreaking, powerful and needed。 There is so much that i can say about this story。 I quickly fell into the world created in this book。 The writing was so immersive that i got tense during tense parts of the bokks and was thinking about what would happen next even when I wasn’t reading the book right at that moment。 I had to finish it just to get it out of my mind because I couldn’t really focus on much else。 I love that i got that feeling again。 Theres no rush like a well thought out story line。 This story is about learning to choose yourself even when it hurts。 Afi defying everything she knew just to stand up for herself。 And she thought ahe won but she didn’t。 She couldnnever win against the woman he really lived。 She learned that no matter what she did, wife or not, she would always be in secondmplacenwith her husband。 And she had to let him go because ofnit despite her lovimg him more than anything。 It’s one of those hard lessons。 The story didn’t have some happy ending, it ended with her just beginning to heal from everything she had been out through。Overall the book is magnificent。 I loved the plot, the characters, the little held back sex scenes。 It was such a joy to read honestly。 I would definitely recommend, but fair warning, you may get attached to this story。 Ik i am。 。。。more