Book Review and Reflection of Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Published: 2025
Genre: Fiction
[Buy the Book Here]

Book Review & Reflection

Introduction

What is Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about? The title Dream Count doesn’t give much away—I found myself trying to guess what the book might be about, but it remained a mystery until the very end when the meaning of “dream count” is finally mentioned.

At first, I thought Chimamanda was narrating her own story—especially as the opening pages explore a writer struggling to write. It felt intimate, reflective, and personal, almost like creative non-fiction. But as I read on, I was drawn into a rich narrative that traces the intertwined lives of four women. The diversity among these women is remarkable, and their stories are told with such tenderness and depth that I couldn’t help but be drawn into their world.

Their friendships, shared struggles, and experiences with love and heartbreak are endearing and relatable. Chimamanda’s storytelling shines from the very first page—her voice is unmistakable, and her command of character and detail is masterful. It’s no surprise that Dream Count quickly became a number-one bestseller and was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction as soon as the book was released.

Reading this novel felt like reading four books in one. Although the women’s lives are intimately connected, each has her own distinct voice and journey. Yet Chimamanda makes sure those links between them are always present, so the transitions never feel jarring. Instead, the novel flows like a beautiful symphony of voices—each part essential to the whole.

Book Summary

I have never felt such an urgent need to shake a book character out of a relationship as I did with Chiamaka (Chia)—whose story frames both the beginning and end of the book. Chiamaka stressed me tremendously as I read her story, but somehow, I also understood her. I wanted to shake her, pausing in disbelief at everything she was putting up with in that delusional, abusive relationship with Darnel. Chia is everything—she is a good person: kind, empathetic, rich, and beautiful. But Chimamanda was so real for this. So many women have had a Darnel in their lives at one point—I know I certainly did. That’s why I wanted to reach into the book and shake Chia out of that relationship.

Then I was so excited when she met Chuka. I thought, oh, thank goodness! What a man. But unfortunately, as life often goes, he just wasn’t the man for her. I was in utter shock—here was a good, well-intentioned, well-matched man, and yet… I understood her. Chiamaka’s journey with men is such an unfortunate familiarity.

Zikora was a pleasant surprise. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence that the character shared a name with Chimamanda’s 2020 short story Zikora—but as I continued reading, I was delighted to discover that it was indeed the same Zikora, just given a fuller, more layered narrative. I was convinced that Chimamanda would give us a more rounded ending to Zikora’s story. I hoped Kwame would return—if not for Zikora, then at least for their child. But Chimamanda left us hanging once again. Still, there’s room for expansion. Maybe this is her plan?

Then again, I’ve been waiting for a follow-up to Half of a Yellow Sun to find out what happened to the protagonist’s sister—and I’m still recovering from that. So maybe this is just it?

Part 3 belonged to Kadiatou, who was first introduced in Chiamaka’s story as her house girl. Her story begins in childhood, in her beloved village, where she experiences the untimely death of her father. Kadiatou grew up alongside Binda, her carefree sister who dreamed of better conditions through education. Kadiatou, however, couldn’t relate. She was happy in her village—and I really liked this about her. She loved her home, her country. Not everyone leaps at the chance to leave their homeland, and Kadiatou didn’t feel the need to. She was content with her simple life.

But as life went on, it did what it always does—scattering Kadiatou’s path with loss, heartbreak, and the inevitable moving-on that humans must navigate. When her childhood love, Amadou, suddenly reappears and takes her to America, I had a sinking feeling—especially when he explained how they were going to get there. Despite all that life throws at her—loss, violation, love—Kadiatou remains resilient, gentle, and full of love. Her story (at least part of it) is based on a real one, which makes it all the more moving.

Part 4 of the book is Omelogor’s story. What an interesting woman. All the women in this book are compelling and unique, but Omelogor has a particular kind of strength and individuality that stands out. Still living in Nigeria with a high-flying job, Omelogor, now 47, is plagued by the usual questions about marriage and children. In fact, her family—especially one particular aunt—is now trying to coax her into adopting a child.

But Omelogor doesn’t live in the shadow of other people’s expectations. She lives life on her own terms and has never been obsessed with the idea of marriage—an ideal that is often forced upon women in her culture. So much so that, for some, getting married (even if it ends in divorce) is seen as a kind of emancipation from the constant nagging of their communities.

Omelogor, however, is unbothered – or so she thought, as she did start questioning this. She shares her wealth and life generously with those she loves and uplifts women in her community in a Robin Hood kind of way. She’s absolutely striking. When I first read Kadiatou’s description of her, I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about her. But reading her own story shed so much more light—Omelogor is awesome.

The final parts of the book return to Chiamaka.

Reading about Chiamaka through the eyes of Zikora, Kadiatou, and Omelogor, she appears to be the glue that holds everyone together—the bright, cheerful one who spreads love wherever she goes. But reading her own story reveals how unsure she is of herself, how she bends and twists to fit the expectations of the men in her life. This made me feel somewhat sad for her. It’s clear that she still has a lot of work to do, especially in how she loves herself.

What I Loved

• Honestly, everything—to be fair. But I’m still not at peace with Zikora’s story. I need to know what happened. Even if it’s just to hear that Kwame never returned, I want some closure.
• I love how Chimamanda always portrays powerful women in different ways—through career success, emotional strength, and resilience. All four women in this book embody that power. Three are high-flying, wealthy Nigerian women, and one is a Guinean woman—strong in her faith and culture, a devoted wife and mother who, against all odds, makes a life for herself in America.

Concluding Remarks

I loved this book so much that I instantly started listening to it again as soon as I finished. What an incredible piece of work—though not surprisingly so. I’ve always loved Chimamanda’s writing, and this book is yet another testament to her brilliance. I highly recommend it to everyone.

About the Author

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a renowned Nigerian writer and feminist known for her powerful storytelling on themes of identity, gender, race, and migration. Dream Count is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s much-anticipated 2025 novel, marking her return to fiction with a powerful, intimate, and layered narrative. Her notable works include Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, and We Should All Be Feminists, based on her widely influential TED Talk. I have loved reading all these books, and I have equally loved: The Thing Around Your Neck; Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions and Notes on Grief.

She strongly advocates for African narratives, rejecting the “single story” of the continent, and has received numerous accolades, including the MacArthur “Genius” Grant and honorary degrees from top universities. Her work has shaped contemporary discussions on feminism, race, and postcolonialism, making her one of our time’s most influential literary voices. Chimamanda is one of my favourite authors; I have read all her works. She was instrumental in my feminist journey.