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Stay with Me

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Stay with Me

By: Ayobami Adebayo
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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About this listen

Winner of the 9 Mobile Prize for Literature

Shortlisted for the 2017 Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction

Shortlisted for the 2018 Wellcome Book Prize

Longlisted for the 2018 International Dylan Thomas Prize

This Nigerian debut is the heartbreaking tale of what wanting a child can do to a person, a marriage and a family.

Yejide is hoping for a miracle, for a child. It is all her husband wants, all her mother-in-law wants, and she has tried everything. But when her relatives insist upon a new wife, it is too much for Yejide to bear.

Unravelling against the social and political turbulence of 1980s Nigeria, Stay with Me is a story of the fragility of married love, the undoing of family, the power of grief, and the all-consuming bonds of motherhood. It is a tale about the desperate attempts we make to save ourselves, and those we love, from heartbreak.

©2017 Ayobami Adebayo (P)2017 Canongate Books Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Marriage Heartfelt Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Africa

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Critic reviews

"Scorching, gripping, ultimately lovely." (Margaret Atwood)
"This terrific first novel (shortlisted for the Baileys women's prize for fiction) deals with the daily stresses of living with the political upheavals of the time but the real drama is happening in Yejide's womb. Adebayo unfolds the many layers of truth with insight and skill." (The Times)
"A thoroughly contemporary style that is all her own...clever and funny...despite the intense sadness of her subject matter, she has produced a bright, big-hearted demonstration of female spirit, as well as the damage done by the boundlessness of male pride." (Guardian)
All stars
Most relevant
This book was captivating on so many levels:
- exceptional quality of the writing;
- the way in which the author got into the heads of her characters;
- the observation and vivid portrayal of Yoruba culture and mores.

This was one of few books I’ve listened to at every opportunity.

There are a few gripes though!

- I found the premise of the married couple’s inability to have children implausible. Yejide lived in a compound with (copulating) animals, had been to an all girls’ school, was at university etc., and would have known Akin’s ‘explanation’ was incredible, literally. Why did she go along with this for five years?

- There was no reflection that I picked up of how Akin reflected on/came to terms with Yejide’s ‘concealment’ of the new situation. Would such a calculating man be so cavalier, knowing his wife could hide something so fundamental? And lie to themselves about her pregnancies? Really?

- The reason for the fight between the brothers seemed hypocritical and Yejide’s silence at the time uncharacteristic.

- Sickle cell disease could be diagnosed at birth in Nigeria in the 1980s. She was exceptionally unlucky to have three SCD children, so would she really have done this to herself? Would Akin? What were Dotun’s reactions? Amniocentesis might have been available too, I’m unsure. But an educated couple like this would be unlikely to have taken three chances without medical intervention. I think there would have been some discussion between the three of them.

Plus, it would be unusual for the babies not to have shown some symptom of SCD when they were younger rather than when they first became ill in the book, particularly Sesan.

Nitpicking, I know, but for her next book perhaps Abayomi Adebayo could research any medical conditions a little more thoroughly, including treatment of Akin’s issue.

- Such a wealthy household would have servants, a nanny etc. Their observations and gossip might have added an extra layer.

- Adjoa Andoh’s narration was as ever first class, but (again) would have been better if she had had the right emphasis on the name Akin. Could she have a Yoruba elocutionist next time please?!

Despite these latter comments, Stay With Me was an enjoyable, well-crafted novel. An impressive debut and then some! I look forward to Abayomi Adebayo’s next book.



Fascinating Journeys

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Well now, what to say about this book. Story incredible and escellently read. Gramatically awful and the ending well, some might find it adorable, I found it trite and sentimental. I didn’t like the ending at all but the rest of the story apart from being hard to follow in some places was pretty good. The book contains elements of drama, tragedy and betrayal. There are f few unexpected twists throughout this literary tale and some parts which are predictable but since it’s a drama and not a mystery that’s forgivable under the circumstances. I think there are a lot of people that will like this book, even love it especially if you like romantic endings and there will be more than a few tears I think. Anyway give it a go. it’s not so bad really.

And they all lived happy ever after.

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The story is brilliant, the author has created an incredible world and would have transported us all to Nigeria my but every name is butchered by the awful pronunciation of the actor.

I would recommend buying the book instead.

Amazing story, abominable pronunciation

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Loved the story, reading was engaging but I was irritated by wrong pronunciation of Yoruba names & words. Would have enjoyed it better if read by a Yoruba woman.

Brilliant story, irritating Yoruba pronounciations

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i enjoyed the book but found the way the story ended difficult to believe. The fact that the daughter had been alive all those years and the mother was not aware.

Good book

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