Chimamanda Ngosi Adichie begins her latest novel, Dream Count, in Washington where one of her four main characters grapples with the challenges of Covid lockdown. Chiamaka’s plans to keep herself active and productive come to nothing. She embarks instead on a dream count, remembering all the men in her life and how they failed to reach her expectations.
The novel presents a similar account of the relationships of three other main characters, all Nigerian-born friends of Chiamaka. Her best friend, Zikora, also lives in Washington where her unreliable partner leaves her pregnant. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s cousin, is a successful businesswoman based in Africa who spends time in America as a graduate student, and Kadiatou, a single mother, works as Chiamaka’s housekeeper in Washington. All four are in their forties and still carry the expectation of their families that they will marry and have children. Adichie has written two characters’ stories in first person and two in third. Both methods bring us in close to the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
In the Author’s note at the end of the novel, Adichie explains that she wrote this novel in the aftermath of her mother’s death. For her, the novel was not so much about women’s relationships with men as with the precious bond between mothers and daughters.
That theme is certainly present in Dream Count, especially in Zikora’s story, but so are many others. Adichie explores race and gender in a nuanced way refreshingly different from most current discussion of these issues. She also offers a penetrating view of American life from an immigrant perspective. For me, the stories of romantic relationships remain the highlight. They are so perceptive and entertaining.
After reading two of Adichie’s previous novels, Half a Yellow Sun and Americana, I was keen to read Dream Count. It did not disappoint. Adichie is such a gifted writer. She is a real storyteller and she crafts language so well. Highly recommended.
