Title: The Baby is Mine
Author: Oyinkan Braithwaite
Publisher: Narrative Landscape Press
Year of Publication: 2021
Number of Pages: 97
Category: Fiction
Readers of Nigerian author Oyinkan Braithwaite’s previous novel, “My Sister, the Serial Killer,” can be confident that her latest novel, “The Baby Is Mine,” will be just as dramatic.
Despite the innocent appearance of the book’s cover, you have no idea what kind of content the author has in store for you this time.
It’s a quick book that shouldn’t take you more than a couple of hours to complete.
The fact that she dedicates the book to her grandma immediately piques the interest of any potential readers. If you are a writer or business owner, you will identify with the author and know what it’s like to have family support.
A book that is both simple and easy to read. Many readers will recognize the setting of the opening chapter since they may relate to life in the year 2020 as depicted in the novel. The reader can expect either happy or sad flashbacks.
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An immediate sense of drama is established by introducing the reader to a couple going through the typical struggles of any pair.
The story’s narrator, Bambi, a young man who has been caught cheating on his lover Mide, is out on the street during the lockdown. Going to his grandfather’s house, he is taken aback to see his Aunt Bidemi, baby Remi, and a young woman he recognizes as Esohe, the lover of his late Uncle Folu, all living there. A struggle breaks out over the custody of a newborn.
The scenario begins to resemble a biblical narrative. Despite its small size, this little book tells a big story.
Oyinkan’s beautiful prose makes it easy to visualize the setting. To the point where you find yourself fuming at fictional characters.
There was an excessive amount of hostility displayed by the characters, and they were constantly fighting with one another; as a reader, you may start to feel exhausted by this, but there is more to this than meets the eye.
This little book may not have many characters, but those it does have are big on mischief. However, some of the characters you may have forgotten about will make an appearance much later in the book.
Additionally, the book contains several humorous passages. Bambi can come off as either annoying or endearing to football fans, and it all has to do with whose team they root for.
There are still more secrets to be revealed, and they will no doubt cause the reader to ponder deeply.
Depending on the reader’s perspective, passages in the book that contain statements such as “A man was not meant to be tied to only woman” may either irritate or intrigue them, and these passages have the potential to launch thought-provoking debates.
The closer you get to the end of the book, the more likely you are to either be completely baffled or to already know whose baby it is.
The novel is good reading as always, yet the author leaves you wanting more.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: [email protected] Social: @tiipreeofficial
