#57: The Way Home

A Review of Adesuwa O'man Nwokedi's Golibe

Golibenachukwu: we rejoiced in the Lord the moment we beheld your face.

Where is home? It’s in the arms of the people you feel the safest, freest, happiest, and most at peace. Home is where your emotions are elevated and you find a profound tranquility. Yet, not everyone recognizes home when they are there; some believe they need something—or someone—else to make them truly feel at home. This is the case for Golibe. In this novel, she is in search of her home.

Greetings, once again dear reader👋🏽👋🏽
I hope you are doing well and taking good care of yourself.
Welcome to another edition of this spectacular newsletter.

It’s 2 years today since the first edition of this newsletter was published 🎉🎉
Today’s newsletter is a guest feature by Roving, a Bibliophile who enjoys reading and writing about books. Sometimes, she writes other things too.

Although Golibe is deeply loved by her parents, she never quite feels fully at home because they are not her birth parents. She senses that something essential is missing and given the chance, sets out to find it. Her adoptive parents have always treated her as theirs, but it does not feel enough. The meaning of the name they gave her should have sufficed to solidify Golibe’s connection to her family and assured her of their love and acceptance but it hasn’t.

When her mother dies, it seems to her that she has become a burden to her father. He lets her stay with him, showers her with love just as always, and protects her firmly. Although she appreciates their kindness and love, and reciprocates it, a sense of reservation lingers. When her father dies, discontent grows, prompting her to search for her true home somewhere in Nigeria.

"Everyone worried how a sixty-three-year-old man would cope with a young eleven-year-old girl. I even overheard someone suggest he send me to a foster home. But my dad, my dear dad, shut those people down firmly. I was going nowhere, he told anyone who asked. I was his daughter and would stay home where I belonged."

Golibe’s quest is further fueled by her boyfriend’s family, who disapprove of the relationship and regard her with disdain due to being adopted and not knowing her birth parents. Golibe believes that finding her biological mother will earn her their respect and she becomes more determined. Her elder brother, Chuka, supports her journey by sponsoring her trip from the United Kingdom to Nigeria and providing a guide, who becomes a close friend and confidant.

As Golibe embarks on her journey to find her mother, she also discovers herself. We gain insight into her character—understanding her motivations, inner thoughts, and mannerisms. Initially, she encounters numerous obstacles and almost gives up when her leads were not yielding any results but eventually, she discovers what she has been searching for. Not only does Golibe find her biological mother, but she also finds love.

Duke loves Golibe with an intensity she has never known, revealing that her previous boyfriend's affection was superficial. Through Duke’s genuine love, Golibe learns that she deserves a deep, caring, and considerate relationship. This new love is like a warm embrace compared to her previous boyfriend’s frosty indifference, and she finds contentment with someone who shares her passions and brings her joy just by being himself.

“Golibe, how did you get here? How did you get into my heart? I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.”

Golibe ultimately finds her way home. It takes time, but when she finally does, the realization brings her immense satisfaction. She discovers a truth her father always told her; home was already with her, she did not have to go in search of it. She was home, where she has always belonged and where she will always belong. One of the most beautiful parts of this story aside from Golibe discovering herself is being loved by a man who truly loved her and was sure to show her.

---

Have you read this book? What did you think about it? Leave a comment, maybe? 😊

---