Soma Nami’s Books in Review
By Wendy Njoroge
In the second installment of our series Wendy Njoroge reviews Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu’s debut novel Lucky Girl, a poignant exploration of identity, culture, and the complexities of family dynamics.
Lucky Girl by Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu
Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu’s Lucky Girl introduces us to Soila, a teenager striving to escape the well-meaning but suffocating love of her mother. Raised as an only child in a household dominated by women—her widowed mother, grandmother, and aunts—Soila is the focal point of their varying ideas about what is best for her. Following a troubling incident with a trusted family friend, she seeks the help of one of her aunts to apply for school in New York.
What initially seems like Soila’s opportunity to breathe and flourish soon becomes the beginning of new challenges. She must confront her minority status in a predominantly white society with different cultural norms and expectations. Navigating the bustling city of New York, she must find her own way and build her own community. Additionally, Soila struggles with her chosen field of study. Though it aligns with her mother’s preferences, she feels differently but persists out of a sense of duty to her mother’s expectations.
Her dating and work life further push her to examine deeply held beliefs about being Black, racism, and the experiences of Black people in America. Everything appears to be progressing until her mother’s health begins to decline. Soila faces a pivotal decision: continue building her life in America or return to Kenya to care for her ailing mother.
Author Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu
In this compelling coming-of-age story, readers follow Soila’s journey, exploring the consequences of her decisions and the delicate balance between self-fulfillment and familial obligations. Muchemi-Ndiritu takes readers on a vivid tour of both Nairobi and New York in the 90s and early 2000s, with the narrative interwoven with notable global events that evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Lucky Girl is a poignant exploration of identity, culture, and the complexities of family dynamics. Muchemi-Ndiritu’s rich character development and evocative storytelling provide a window into the challenges faced by immigrants and the universal struggle of carving out one’s path while honoring family ties. Soila’s story is a resonant reminder of the resilience required to navigate life’s crossroads and the enduring question of what we owe to ourselves versus what we owe to our family.
Readers will find themselves immersed in Soila’s world, grappling with her dilemmas, and reflecting on their own experiences with cultural identity, family expectations, and personal aspirations. Lucky Girl is a testament to the strength and courage it takes to pursue one’s dreams amidst the push and pull of familial duty and societal pressures.
You can find “Lucky Girl” and many more titles at Soma Nami Books (above), an independent, pan-African bookstore with locations in Kilimani and Ngara. https://www.somanami.co.ke/