Monday 21 September 2015

(Book Review): Lilian Amah's 'Dreams of Yesterday'

"Can one man love two women at the same time? Can a woman accept and learn to live with the knowledge that her husband loves her but also loves another woman?"

Inter ethnic relationships in a multi-ethnic country present a unique challenge. Throw a brutal 30-month civil war into the mix and what you get are even more challenges as the continued polarization of the country, uncertain and untrustworthy leadership merge with personal problems to create chaos.
Lekan and Nnena Lawson soon find out that the war that brought them together leaves scars to go with the blessings, affecting those near and far. 

The couple meets during a raid by a company of soldiers headed by Lekan. Love blossoms and marriage follows. Because Nnena is one of the “enemies”, her name is changed to Aderonke and a new identity is created for her. That notwithstanding, jealous colleagues of Lekan’s set her up and she is arrested for spying. Released through the help of Lekan’s commanding officer, Lekan smuggles Aderonke and their son out of the country to friends in Sierra Leone. A disciplined and dedicated officer, Lekan does not question the orders of his superiors but when he falls in love with 'the enemy', he begins to wonder if all can really be either black or white when emotions and circumstances provide many shades of grey. 

While still fighting the war, Lekan gets missing in action and ends up in enemy territory. Captured by a rebel group and suffering from amnesia, he ends up joining the group. Meeting Ndidi a nurse working with the rebels, he gets attracted and then falls in love even though the memories of a woman whose name he can’t remember haunt him. The everyday problems of war like malnutrition, kwashiorkor, hunger, fear and death are seen through the eyes of Nnena and her compatriots as she tries to find her soul mate Lekan. 

The war ends and Lekan settles with Ndidi and starts a new life. Just when all seems settled, he regains his memory and sets off in search of his wife and son. He finds them and realizes he still loves his wife as much as he ever did. But he also loves Ndidi. Unable to let go of either woman, Lekan starts a love triangle that can only lead to disaster. 

Can one man love two women at the same time? Can a woman accept and learn to live with the knowledge that her husband loves her but also loves another woman? Is there hope for such a relationship? Here too, the shades of grey are everywhere, as each side has a different take on the same story. The lives, loves, triumphs and trials of a bi-ethnic couple on different sides of the divide in this war of brother against brother make up the story of "Dreams of Yesterday." 

Grab your copy at Amazon NOW:
http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Yesterday-LILLIAN-AMAH-ebook/dp/B00ZIA2O56


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