Five Leaves Bookshop open book group discusses The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta

Our book group is open to all. Attend every meeting, occasionally or just once a lifetime. All we ask is that you read the book in advance and take part in the discussion. There’s a short introduction by a member of staff or a group regular or someone we know with a special interest in the book in question.

‘A scorching portrayal of a woman’s life . . . the female, feminist counterpart to Things Fall Apart’ Bernardine Evaristo

‘God, when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody’s appendage? … when will I be free?’There is no greater honour for a woman in an Ibo village than to have children – especially sons. Unable to conceive in her first marriage, Nnu Ego is sent away to a new husband in the city of Lagos, where she finally succeeds in becoming a mother. But things are changing, and a war that unfolds thousands of miles away threatens her family’s fortunes and her entire way of life. In a world where motherhood is everything, what will be left for her at the end of it all?

‘Sparkling intelligence and a certain kind of honest, lived, intimate insight into working-class colonial Nigeria’ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Free, refreshments provided. We don’t mind where you source the book – libraries are good! – be we offer 15% discount on book group titles.