The Woman Next Door

A Novel

By: Yewande Omotoso

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh

Hortensia James and Marion Agostino are neighbours. One is black, one white. Both are successful women with impressive careers. Both have recently been widowed. And both are sworn enemies, sharing hedge and hostility and pruning both with a vim and zeal that belies the fact that they are over eighty.

But one day an unforeseen event forces the women together. And gradually the bickering and sniping softens into lively debate, and from there into memories shared. But could these sparks of connection ever transform into friendship? Or is it too late to expect these two to change?

I can't imagine reading this book without

the two distinct accents which add so much to the story. the narrator is amazing.

How NOT to live...

The narrator was amazing! Quite a performance. And, quite a story about two old women.

Probably deserves 5 stars instead of 4...

...because I despise books with unlikable narrators and this book has two--Marion (White South African) and Hortensia (Black, from Barbados via London via Nigeria) and I so enjoyed the story of these two elderly ladies (in their 80s) and their not-so-neighborly relationship. Ultimately, if not likeable, the reader at least understands why they are the way they are and empathizes. As well, the progression of their relationship to enemies to...where they end up, shall we say, was so well done.

The audio narrator: Loved her, although I will say, the accent she gives Marion is like nothing I've heard before. Was it supposed to be someone who spoke Afrikaans as a first language and this is the accent when speaking English? I've heard South Africans speak and they don't sound this odd. But I went with it. If nothing else, it was quite interesting!

Most unsatisfactory

The narration is appalling .The reader mispronounces most of the local South African words. In particular, the speech of Marion who is an Afrikaans South African. She comes across as simple minded. Marion is defeated and saddened by life and Hortencia is destroyed by rage and bitterness. The reader, who should be impartial to the tale as it unfolds, manages by expression and vocal nuance to insert personal observation and opinion.

The story line needs rigorous editing.
There are too many plots and subplots.
The writing is descriptive but is extravagant. No noun is left without adjectives in profusion.

Sheer Poetry

I found this book by following the narrator Adjoa Andoh, after listening to “The White Woman on the Green Bicycle”, which became one of my favorite books due to the narration and content. This book was similar in grabbing me intellectually, emotionally and morally. Two women, antagonistic neighbors in the latter portion of their lives, explore sometimes painful emotions as their individual lives, choices, marriages and the way they live now are inwardly reviewed. Richly textured, and deeply nourishing, I’m so glad to have stumbled across this gem.