Infinite Books

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie knows how to write about women. I discovered this by reading her “Americanah” many years ago and was surprised by how beautiful and insightful the author’s view of women was. What great news is that after a 10-year break from fiction, one of my favorite authors is back with a new novel, “Dream Count.” “Dream Count” is about the lives of four Nigerian women and takes place partially in Nigeria and partially in the US. Knowing that I may sound shallow, it reminded me of the almost legendary now original TV series “Sex and the City.” However, “Dream Count” is, of course, much deeper, more elevated, and simply a literary gem. It’s also highly entertaining, touching, and a joy to read.

Chiamaka, the main character, is a young woman and travel writer from a wealthy family who doesn’t have to worry about money. She’s a dreamer in search of true love, and as a beautiful, intelligent woman, she draws the attention of many men, yet no one understands her completely – and some of her choices in men are simply awful! Chia’s best friend is Zikora, a successful lawyer, who worries that she’s still unmarried and childless at thirty-one, a disappointment to her family.  Another woman, Omelogor, is a financial wizard, and eventually, she uses the traditionally male world of Nigerian finance to help people, almost like the Robin Hood character. She is also the most outspoken of all four women and intimidating to men; however, she also attracts them because of her self-assurance. Then there is Kadiatou, who immigrated to the US to give her daughter a better future. She is Chiamaka’s housekeeper and a great cook, working two jobs. Her life dramatically changes in just one day, and it’s the most heartbreaking story of the injustice to read about in “Dream Count.”

The novel is written in chapters, each devoted to one woman and showing her perspective while interweaving with other women’s stories. I love this format: it was clear and allowed me to explore one character at a time. I noticed that one chapter of this book was published in the recent issue of New Yorker magazine, celebrating its 100th anniversary, proving that it could be read as a separate piece, a teaser to reach for the novel.

“Dream Count” is an extraordinary book about women, about life and love,  that can be discovered on many levels: the relationships between women and men, parents and children, the immigrant issues of fitting in while preserving one’s own culture, and the pretense of being tolerant while not able to see the deeper problems. And, as I mentioned, it’s just such a good read—the kind of novel you want to read one more page! 

DREAM COUNT by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Penquin Random House, 2025