IJEOMA

In this debut novel, a young Nigerian woman helps her daughters escape the horrors of female genital mutilation.

At the age of 18, Ijeoma Biobaku agrees to marry Ejikeme Madaki, an older man who is a farmer of some means in their Nigerian village of Achi. When Ejikeme discovers that Ijeoma has never undergone the tribal custom of female genital cutting, he insists she have it done or the marriage will be canceled. Ijeoma fears the village will ostracize her so she relents. Her only solace during the gruesome, unsanitary procedure is her loving Auntie B, who hugs her as she cries out in pain. Physically and mentally abusive, Ejikeme is angry that their first child is not a son. Kind Auntie B and Uncle Simon leave for America, but several years later, they help Ijeoma and her family immigrate to New York City. A second daughter has been born, and Ijeoma is determined that her children will never be mutilated as she was. Ejikeme abandons the family, but life in America is hopeful—Ijeoma works as a nanny; her daughters are well adjusted; and she meets a good man. Then one day there is a knock at the door from the immigration authorities, and she is hauled off to jail. This gripping story—based on real-life events—may spur readers into learning more about female genital mutilation. An admirable, heroic protagonist, Ijeoma quietly does what needs to be done; for example, when her second daughter is born, she calmly endures an emergency C-section. Sacks’ fluid prose and seamless scene transitions keep the pages turning. In fact, some scenes are edge-of-the-seat riveting, such as the final day of Ijeoma’s deportation trial, during which she learns shocking information about a family member. But the quieter episodes can also be memorable—when Ijeoma and her girls meet Auntie B and Uncle Simon in America, the encounter is touching.

A compelling tale of maternal strength and determination.