Dream Count : A Novel – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Dream Count: A Novel weaves together the lives of four women navigating love, identity, and self-discovery. Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer stranded alone during the pandemic, reflects on past relationships and the choices that shaped her life. Her best friend Zikora, a high-achieving lawyer, faces betrayal and must confront her own vulnerabilities. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s bold cousin and a financial powerhouse in Nigeria, begins to question her understanding of success and self-worth. Meanwhile, Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, fights to protect her daughter’s future amid unimaginable hardship.

Adichie’s prose sparkles with emotional urgency, exploring themes of motherhood, cultural expectations, and the search for connection. The novel moves seamlessly between Nigeria and America, painting vivid portraits of immigrant experiences and the tensions between tradition and modernity. Each woman’s story is a testament to resilience, revealing how love and loss intertwine with societal pressures. Adichie’s unflinching observations of the human heart are balanced by moments of tenderness and wit, creating a narrative that feels both intimate and universal.

The pandemic looms as a backdrop, amplifying the characters’ isolation and introspection. Yet Dream Count is not just a story of struggle—it’s a celebration of female friendship and the quiet strength found in vulnerability. Adichie’s signature blend of sharp satire and lyrical storytelling shines, making this a standout addition to her acclaimed body of work. Readers will find themselves immersed in a world where every choice carries weight, and the pursuit of happiness is as messy as it is beautiful.