The Days of Afrekete

A Novel

By: Asali Solomon

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

Inspired by Mrs. Dalloway and Sula, The Days of Afrekete is a tender, surprising novel of two women at midlife who rediscover themselves—and perhaps each other.

Liselle Belmont is having a dinner party. It seems a strange occasion—her husband, Winn, has lost his bid for the state legislature and they're having the key supporters over to thank them for their work. Liselle was never sure about Winn becoming a politician, never sure about the limelight, about the life of fundraising and stump speeches. Now that it's over she is facing new questions: Who are they to each other, after all this? How much of herself has she lost on the way—and was it worth it? Just before the night begins, she hears from an FBI agent, who claims that Winn is corrupt. Is it possible? How will she make it through this dinner party?

Across town, Selena is making her way through the same day, the same way she always does—one foot in front of the other, keeping quiet and focused, trying not to see the terrors all around her. Homelessness, starving children, the very living horrors of history that made America possible: these and other thoughts have made it difficult for her to live a normal life. The only time she was ever really happy was with Liselle back in college. But they've lost touch, so much so that when they run into each other at a drugstore just after Obama is elected president, they barely speak. But as the day wears on, Selena's memories of Liselle begin to shift her path.

Asali Solomon's The Days of Afrekete is a deft, expertly layered, naturally funny, and deeply human examination of two women coming back to themselves at midlife. It is a celebration of our choices and where they take us, the people who change us, and how we can reimagine ourselves even when our lives seem set.

Like nothing I’ve ever read before 

The narrator does a wonderful performance, voicing each character beautifully. As a cis, white middle-aged woman, I can safely say this is a story, the likes of which I’ve never read before. I am so blessed by enlarging my world to include others’ points of view. In an effort to become anti-racist, and to change generational values of which I don’t agree, I am attempting to enlarge my repertoire to include those stories that I might not have picked up in previous years. Enjoyed every bit of this novel, and the relationships it depicted between not only Liselle and Selena, but with the ancillary characters and white versus black characters. Absolutely beautifully written. So engrossing and I’m so glad I got to listen to it rather than read it.

So chill

Loved this, will listen again. Would have liked a longer last chapter. Reading was wonderful.

The exposition was the perfect disguise to the novel’s real conflict.

The narration was amazing. The journey through time was seamless and all characters felt 3-dimensional. Extra points for the careful melding of Hip Hop into the total narrative. And finally— the lingering sense of longing made for an amazing “read.”

Disappointed

Story/narration did not hold my interest. It was a struggle to get to the end and I still don't know what the story was actually about other than a handful of women who all know each other.