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My Current Read
📖 Name of the Book:
The Baby Is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite
📄 Plot:
Set in Nigeria during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, this short novella follows Bambi, a disgraced man who seeks refuge at his late uncle’s home. What should be a quiet escape turns into a tense domestic mystery when he finds two women — his aunt and a younger woman named Funke — both claiming to be the mother of the same baby. Trapped in the house with rising tension and no escape due to the lockdown, Bambi must untangle the truth while confronting his own demons.
📖 Genre:
Mystery / Domestic Thriller / Novella
📄 My Favorite Quotes:
• “The baby was too quiet, too still — as if it too were trying to figure out who it belonged to.”
• “Sometimes the truth doesn’t scream. Sometimes it just sits in the corner, waiting for someone to notice.”
💭 My Thoughts:
This story was short but packed with atmosphere. The writing was sharp and subtle, and the tension built so quietly I didn’t realize how much it had grabbed me until I finished it in one sitting. Oyinkan Braithwaite writes with such precision — you feel like you’re in that hot, claustrophobic house with them. I loved how it touched on family, secrets, and what we choose to believe under pressure. It also felt like a snapshot of life in lockdown, but without being heavy-handed.
⭐ Star Rating:
★★★★★ (5 stars)
In 'The Baby Is Mine', Oyinkan Braithwaite masterfully crafts a narrative that resonates with the contemporary experience of lockdowns and social isolation. The novella encapsulates the psychological tension faced not just by Bambi, the protagonist, but also reflects broader societal themes during these challenging times. Family dynamics are intricately explored as the two women, each with their unique motives, vie for their identities and create a palpable atmosphere. Factors such as the claustrophobic setting serve to heighten the tension and accentuate the emotional struggles of the characters. The backdrop of Nigeria during the pandemic effectively adds layers to the story, making readers ponder the human condition under pressure. Braithwaite’s sharp and subtle writing style pours into each page, allowing readers to truly feel the heat and the intricate web of family secrets that unfold. This novella not only offers a gripping domestic thriller but also serves as a reflection on what it means to navigate personal relationships during a global crisis. It invites us to reflect on our own truths and the complexities that arise when family, secrets, and challenging situations collide. Whether you're looking for a short yet impactful read or an exploration of human emotions under duress, this novella promises to deliver an unforgettable literary experience.
