Readers around the world have been looking forward to another novel from Nigerian star Oyinkan Braithwaite since her superb My Sister, the Serial Killer debuted to global acclaim pre-pandemic. That darkly funny slice of Lagos domestic noir was shortlisted for the 2019 Women’s Prize and longlisted for the Booker Prize, among other accolades.
The wait is nearly over, as next month Braithwaite’s second novel, Cursed Daughters, will be released. In the meantime however, readers can enjoy this fascinating novella. Set during the pandemic, it sees our protagonist Bambi kicked out of his girlfriend’s house. With Lagos in a blackout as well as lockdown, and with nowhere to go, he drives across the city to his late uncle’s house, only to be surprised by his Aunty Bidemi, and his uncle’s mistress, Esohe. And a baby.
Already under pressure, longtime playboy Bambi finds himself in a surreal world of bottle feeding, dirty nappies, and two women who both claim to be the baby’s mother. A stray cockerel stalks the garden. Someone puts sand in the rice. His aunty has to scrub blood stains off a wall. The baby’s cheeks are scratched with tribal markings. Who can Bambi believe – his grieving aunty, or Esohe, who had once shared Bambi’s bed too?
Braithwaite crafts a fast-flowing read full of darkness and humour. Aptly touted as a ‘blackly funny piece of Lagos gothic’, The Baby Is Mine is a lovely wee gift from a talented storyteller; a tasty amuse-bouche between the fuller courses of her novels.
Reviewed by Craig Sisterson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Oyinkan Braithwaite is the author of My Sister, the Serial Killer. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised there and in the UK. She currently lives in London with her family.
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