Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions

A Novel in Interlocking Stories

By: Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi

Narrated by: Liz Femi, Korey Jackson

“I couldn’t put this book down and I loved spending time in the lives of Nonso, Remi, Aisha, and Solape. Truly this book will grab hold of your heart and mind and everything in between.”—Roxane Gay, author of Hunger and Bad Feminist

“Poignant and beautiful. . . . Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi will sweep you away with these subtle yet profound stories. She is a bold and elegant writer, and this debut is such a pleasure.”—Edan Lepucki, author of Woman No. 17 and California

Nigerian author Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi makes her American debut with this dazzling novel which explores her homeland’s past, present, and possible future through the interconnected stories of four fearless globe-trotting women.

Moving between Nigeria and America, Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions is a window into the world of accomplished Nigerian women, illuminating the challenges they face and the risks they take to control their destinies.

Students at an all-girls boarding school, Nonso, Remi, Aisha, and Solape forge an unbreakable sisterhood that is tempered during a school rebellion, an uprising with repercussions that will forever reverberate through their lives. The children of well-to-do families, these young women have been raised with a thirst for independence, believing a university education is their right—a legacy of ambition and hope inherited from their foremothers.

Leaving school and adolescence behind, the women grapple with the unexpected possibilities—and limitations—of adulthood and the uncertainties of the world within and outside of Nigeria. A trip to Ghana opens Nonso’s eyes to the lasting impact of the transatlantic slave trade, she falls in love with an African American, and makes a new home in the United States. Remi meets Segun, a dynamic man of Nigerian descent from Yonkers whose own traumatic struggles and support gives her the strength to confront painful family wounds. Aisha’s overwhelming sense of guilt haunts her, influencing career and relationship decisions until she sees a chance to save her son’s life and, through her sacrifice, redefine her own.

Revolving around loss, belonging, family, friendship, alienation, and silence, Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions is a moving, multifaceted portrait of lives shaped by hope and sorrow—of women who must contend with the ever-present and unsettling notion that moving forward in time isn’t necessarily progress.

“I truly loved this linked short story collection. The narrative takes us into the intimate workings of friends and families. Omolola explores their complex lives in astoundingly beautiful language. If, like me, you enjoy stories that take you out of your reading chair to worlds that follow you back to your own, then this is the book for you.”—Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa, award-winning author of A Woman of Endurance

©2022 Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Perspective is Everything

I really enjoyed the interweaving stories and the craft of writing in this book. In Igbo land, a woman can marry another woman for children. It puts a spin on western ideas of gender and marriage and “ownership” - enslavement type of thing.

I felt the end - the afro futurism was one sided. America goes downhill while Nigeria becomes Wakandaish - I appreciate the author's creative license, and thank God for the exploration of possibilities, and seeing Nigeria as what it's potential has always held. However, for me, given the uproar in the country right now, it felt dissonant - I often lose hope about where we are headed. Yet, maybe that was exactly the job of this book!

I also had an issue of excluding hope from the US systems and hoarding it only for the African context - but my work prejudices my lens on this.

Really good job by the author. Complex writing and scene development. I cannot wait to read more from you. Thank God for brilliant minds like yours that get to shape the narrative of lives of those that live daily in Nigeria. Thank you for your service. Peace.

All the things

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Happy, triumphant, moving, and sad all at the same time. Great listen, great read.

I enjoyed the stories

I enjoyed the stories . Quite nostalgic for me. I remembered my first day in school as a boarder.
The pronunciation of some words especially the Nigerian names , places was not appealing . It was almost distracting for me but because I was enjoying the stories I soldered on.
It was interesting to see that there was a time people relocated from the abroad to Nigeria. The reverse is the case today.
It touched on different aspects of life , the way of life of and societal issues like Police brutality. All in all a good book.

The illustration

Interesting and captivating book. I recommend reading it with friends and sharing thoughts. Also a good capture of the likely future.

A few interesting stories

Read this book for a bookclub. Not a lot to say about it, it was an ok read. Nothing great but nothing bad either. Some stories were more interesting than others but overall not a book I’d recommend given all the other books out there. I had a bit of trouble with the accent at times on people’s names and keeping them straight as toward the end they do have some connection.

Loved it

The stories were all different and intriguing. I wish I knew more and could put the stories together better but I still enjoyed it