Stigma from the Past (A Very Short Book Review )

Stigma from the Past is a novel written by Anuli Ausbeth-Ajagu. It tells the story of Mercy, a kind and caring nun, who decides to leave the convent and start a different life in her hometown. She soon realises that she has to deal with pain, harassment, loneliness, blackmail, gender prejudice, fear and the stigma from her past. However, Mercy is determined and hardworking and seeks to deal with what life has thrown at her. This is a beautiful story set between two African countries: Ghana and Nigeria. The characters are very believable and this can be seen in their actions and the way they speak. The plot is gripping, filled with twists, suspense and mystery. The novel has a lot of ‘big grammar’ that a dictionary would be needed to explain some of the words. The picture on the front cover is captivating. The chapters are short and encouraging. The author does a brilliant job in building up suspense in most scenes and adding inspirational messages here and there. Yet I wanted to read more about Mercy’s life as a university student. I also wished the author didn’t give much away in the blurb of the novel. The suspense would have been even greater. All in all, it is a great read that will leave you wanting more. Kate Iffy