This story, especially being based on Emecheta’s real experience moving to London, is both devastating and incredibly heartwarming, for the way she is treated, the way she suffers, and the colossal brilliance of her determination. Emecheta, through prose full of charisma and character, highlights the nuances and intersections between Adah’s position as a wife and mother, her upbringing in Nigeria and the stark cultural differences in England, her treatment as a black woman in London, all of which contribute to this second class status. It does not end happily, yet not sadly for you know her so well, and really believe that she can succeed, if anything for having seen how much she deserves to. As an account of her and many women’s experience it is honest, illuminating and affecting. 

Then the thought struck her that she could be killed and the world would think it was an accident. Just a husband and wife fighting. She still hit back occasionally when she knew she was near the door or out of danger, but she gave into his demands for the sake of peace. They were like the demands of a wicked child who enjoys torturing a live animal given to him as a pet.