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| Compelling Novel Sees Love & Trauma Collide, Based on a Nigerian's Move to London to "Save" Family |
Published:
5/2/2014 12:55:41 PM
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United Kingdom - Nobody will deny that keeping a family together is tough; but for one Nigerian woman in Gracy Ukala's latest novel, being the devoted wife and mother will require strength far beyond anything fathomable.
Ada in London: Surviving the Traumas fuses love, struggle, faith and new beginnings into a gripping narrative that is loosely based on the life of its author. Above all, the novel is a bold reminder that life's direction and choices are uncertain at best.
Synopsis:
Ada leaves her home, her six children, her husband and her beloved career in Nigeria to travel to London. Fred, her husband, had recently lost a substantial sum of borrowed money abroad. He brings serious pressure to bear on Ada to go and work in London to "salvage" the family from financial disgrace. Despite her protests and warning that "such a separation could cost us our marriage", Ada is persuaded by her husband and children to go to London.
Ada's traumas, losses, failures and successes are very sensitively narrated in Ada in London. It is the story of one woman's sacrifice and attempt to serve her family with love. In addition, Ada aimed to retain her human dignity, her spiritual relationship with God, and her right as a woman to some happiness. Does she achieve any of these goals? All the characters' names have been changed to protect their privacy.
"This is certainly a story that places a vital focus on life choices. Ada has to juggle pursuing her own happiness against doing what her family expect of her. Readers will be able to re-examine their own lives after empathizing with Ada and perhaps gain a better understanding of how choices affect their experiences," says Ukala, herself a native Nigerian.
Continuing, "She loves her family more than anything, but is also unwilling to sacrifice one hundred percent of her own worth and happiness. This struggle brings much adversity with it and plays out in a story that I've somewhat lived through - particularly when it comes to the rapid and overwhelming adjustments required after emigrating so far."
Readers have nothing but praise for the novel.
"The realization achieved in this book is stark but true - no matter the situation you find yourself, God Almighty is always willing to give you a helping hand. We, as individuals, should like Ada, always put God first, as well as believe in our own ability to succeed in whatever we decide to do. The zeal to survive and succeed was uppermost in Ada's mind. She succeeded both materially and spiritually. Ada's story is an eye-opener and an inspiration to us all!" says PamEhi.
An Editor from London's African Echo adds, "Ada in London aptly visits the issues that are on every immigrant's mind-how to fit in within a strange society and not lose one's true identity. I bought a copy from the author and took it on my flight from London to New York. Once started, I couldn't put the book down. Totally enthralling! The suspense is immense, and the tears, yes, the tears kept flowing down my cheeks. Yet, the humour, which is so aptly embedded all through the novel, is truly refreshing."
Gracy Ukala is also the author of the award winning novel: Dizzy Angel (UPL, 1985) and The Broken Bond, (UPL, 2001).
Ada in London: Surviving the Traumas is available now: http://amzn.to/1t9THZh
or on http://www.outskirtspress.com/GracyUkala.
For more information on the author and her other published works, visit
http://www.graceukalaswritings.com.
About the Author:
Dr Grace Ukala, has a wealth of experience in education, life-coaching and business. Her educational qualifications include: BA (Hons) English, Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), Master's degree in Education, M. Phil. and Ph.D in Education.
As a teacher for over 35 years, she achieved commendations as an outstanding head teacher while she was Principal of Emotan College, Benin City, Nigeria, for almost ten years. While in the UK, she was Head of Departments of English for many years in two London Secondary Schools, as well as Manager of the Learning Support Unit in a Boys' Secondary School, also in London. She took early retirement from teaching a few years ago to run her own business.
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