A Kind of Madness

By: Uche Okonkwo

Narrated by: Nene Nwoko

A searing, unflinching collection of stories set in Nigeria that explores themes of community expectations, familial strife, and the struggle for survival.

A teenage girl from a poor family is dazzled by her rich, vivacious friend, but as the friend's behavior grows unstable and dangerous, she must decide whether to cover for her or risk telling the truth to get her the help she needs. A young woman and her mother bask in the envy of their neighbors when the woman receives an offer of marriage from the family of a doctor living in Belgium—though when the offer fails to materialize, that envy threatens to turn vicious, pitting them both against their community. And a lonely daughter finds herself wandering a village in eastern Nigeria in an ill-fated quest, struggling to come to terms with her mother's mental illness.

In ten vivid, evocative stories set in contemporary Nigeria, Uche Okonkwo's A Kind of Madness unravels the tensions between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, best friends, siblings, and more, marking the arrival of an extraordinary new talent in fiction and inviting us all to consider the question: why is it that the people and places we hold closest are so often the ones that drive us to madness?

©2024 Uche Okonkwo (P)2024 Tantor

A kind of madness we’ve all had!

Loved the book. And even found bits and pieces of myself in the characters. The author has done great work at character building but also making the characters relatable!!

Vivid and Varied Stories of Everyday Nigeria

I’ve read a lot of books by Nigerian authors and know a good bit about Nigeria, but this one stood out. I really appreciated how it offered perspectives from both male and female characters in a variety of distinct, and sometimes humorous or distressing, scenarios. It made me feel immersed in the everyday lives and culture of Nigerians in a way that felt fresh and different from other books I’ve read. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from this author!