
Our score:
4.3 / 5
Dream Count: A Novel
Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieOur Review:
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Dream Count" is a profound exploration of love, identity, and interconnectedness through the lives of four remarkable women. Set against the backdrop of the pandemic and spanning multiple personal and professional landscapes, the novel weaves a rich tapestry of human experience that is at once intimate and expansive.
Adichie masterfully crafts characters whose complexity transcends traditional narrative boundaries. Chiamaka, a travel writer wrestling with past choices; Zikora, a lawyer confronting personal setbacks; Omelogor, a financial powerhouse questioning self-knowledge; and Kadiatou, a determined immigrant mother—each woman represents a nuanced perspective on resilience, desire, and self-discovery.
The novel's strength lies in its ability to encourage empathy without sentiment, presenting characters' struggles and triumphs with remarkable emotional precision. Adichie's prose is characteristically luminous, moving between introspective moments and broader societal observations with exceptional grace. Her exploration of love—not just romantic, but familial, professional, and self-directed—feels both universal and deeply personal.
This book will resonate profoundly with readers who appreciate nuanced character studies, those interested in contemporary narratives of women's experiences across cultures, and anyone drawn to literature that illuminates the complex inner lives of women navigating personal and professional challenges. Adichie once again demonstrates why she is considered one of the most compelling voices in contemporary literature.