Episode 87: Nigeria
Summary: E Káàró, friends! Today, Holly and Devin armchair travel to Nigeria. Known for its vibrant culture, diversity, rich artistic heritage and a thriving film industry (Nollywood), this country has so much to explore. With both books set in the bustling city of Lagos, our hosts get to explore the romantic and thrilling aspects of this amazing country.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (3:00): Devin discussed The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo, a novel following Hannah Bailey, successful biracial business woman living in San Francisco, who is invited to her estranged father’s funeral - in Lagos, Nigeria. After a brief relationship with her white mother, she never had a connection to her father or his prestigious family, but this opportunity is too good to pass up. Uncovering half siblings, secrets, culture and even a man she never expected, Hannah must come to a new understanding of who she is and where she fits in the world. Devin’s key takeaways were:
Hannah's experience reflects that of many diaspora children, caught between cultures, feeling not quite “enough” of either. Her journey is tender, frustrating, funny, and deeply affirming and she works to expand her sense of self and identify where she belongs amongst her expanded family.
While you get a great sense of Lagos through the book, the setting of a Nigerian funeral, especially for someone as prominent as Hannah’s father, adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story. They’re multi-day affairs that are part mourning, part celebration, part family reunion, part “airing of grievances.” Through this event, the book explores Nigerian culture, familial expectations, inheritance (emotional and literal), and reconciliation.
The romance is beautifully folded into Hannah’s emotional journey. It’s not just “hot guy in Nigeria,” Lawrence is a patient and supportive friend first who guides Hannah and helps her navigate the rough waters of her expanding identity. It’s romantic, yes, but also rooted in identity and growth.
The Dagger (13:50): Holly discussed Gaslight by Femi Kayode, a crime fiction story following Jeremiah Dawodu, the influential leader of a prominent megachurch in Lagos. He’s publicly arrested in the middle of a service for the suspected murder of his wife. Despite his skepticism toward organized religion, Philip Taiwo, an investigative psychologist who recently returned to Nigeria from the US, is reluctantly drawn into the case by his sister. Confronting a web of secrets, resistance from the church, and the complexities of Nigerian society, Philip must cut through the noise to uncover the truth. Holly’s key takeaways were:
The novel examines how religious institutions wield influence and the potential for corruption within such structures. The pursuit of truth in a society and institution rife with secrecy and manipulation underscores the narrative, questioning the nature of justice and the power of religion and religious leaders.
Through the lens of a psychological crime thriller, the novel illuminates both the beauty and contradictions of Nigerian society; it critiques power structures while celebrating resilience, explores how people navigate moral gray zones, and invites readers to see Nigeria in all its complexity: vibrant, chaotic, spiritual, flawed, and deeply human.
Taiwo's family's experiences reflect the complexities of cultural identity and the challenges of reintegration after living abroad. The personal struggles within Taiwo's family parallel the broader societal issues, emphasizing the interplay between personal and communal conflicts.
Hot On the Shelf (27:12):
What’s Making Our Hearts Race (31:39):
Devin: The Americas Documentary with Tom Hanks
Holly: Your Friends and Neighbors on AppleTV
If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.
