His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
His Only Wife Book Club Questions
Did you read all of the book? Part of it? Or none of it?
What is your initial impression of the book? Did you like it or dislike it? Why?
At the beginning of the novel, at Afi’s wedding, her groom (Eli) doesn’t show up and participate in the wedding. What does this say about his interest in marrying her?
Eli’s mother, Aunty, helps Afi’s family when Afi’s father passes away and she and her mother are destitute and homeless. Aunty sets up the marriage between Afi and Eli. Do you think Afi went into the marriage willingly, or was she forced into it? Would she have married Eli without the pressure of the families? Do you think this is reasonable? What would you have done in Afi’s shoes? In her mother’s shoes?
Do you think that men and women in our culture are subject to the same pressures as Afi to marry, or to marry someone that their families approve of? Why/why not?
Eli’s family tells Afi lies about Eli’s girlfriend/the mother of his child. Why did the family do this? Why were they so opposed to that relationship? Do you think they manipulated Afi?
Which character(s) did you find most relatable? Why?
Which character(s) did you find the least relatable? Why?
What did you think of Afi’s family and how they handled her newfound wealth? Were you surprised by how her family, and her uncle in particular, responded? Why/why not?
If you could hear the story from another character’s perspective, who would you choose? Why?
Discuss the difference between Afi’s relationship with her mother, and Mawusi’s relationship with her mother (Daavi Christy). Why do you think they are similar/different?
How does physical beauty play a role in the characters’ relationships and statuses? Does the fact of Afi’s skin color play a role in this? Why/why not?
What did you think about Afi and Eli’s first interaction as a married couple? How did their relationship evolve over time?
Do you think Eli ever actually loved Afi? Why/why not?
How do you think Eli should have handled his mother’s arranged marriage between him and Afi? What choices should he have made before and after the wedding?
Afi tells Eli that if their roles were reversed, Eli wouldn’t like it if Afi had two men/boyfriends/husbands. Do you think she is right? Why is there such a double standard for men and women? Is it simply cultural, or something else?
What did you think of the ending? Were you happy that Afi left Eli? Do you think she made the right decision? What do you think the future would hold for her?
Have you read other books by this author? Which ones?
Would you read other books by this author? Why/why not?
What did you think of the length of the book? If too short, what would you add? If too long, what would you cut?
If you were making a movie of this book, who would you cast?
Would you recommend this book to a friend?