Dream Count (published March 4, 2025) is Adichie’s first novel since Americanah, weaving together the lived experiences of four African women—Chiamaka (“Chia”), Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou—during the early days of the COVID‑19 pandemic. The timeline jumps between lockdown stillness and vivid past moments, reflecting on love, loss, ambition, and resilience.
The narrative unfolds in discrete, novella‑length segments—Chia’s voice opens and closes the story, framing the lives of the other three women. While set against the backdrop of the pandemic, much of the prose delves into memories and defining moments prior to lockdown, which can feel disjointed at times yet this structure mirrors how reflection often works: non‑linear and fragmented.
🌸 Characters & Themes
Chiamaka (“Chia”)
A privileged Nigerian travel writer in the US, Chia confronts a catalogue of unfulfilling romances and the ache of singleness in her 40s. Her introspection questions identity and belonging in a life that “should” be meaningful. Her yearning to be “truly known” is both poignant and universal The Standard.
Zikora
A driven lawyer and Catholic, Zikora faces a surprise pregnancy and abandonment. Her arc explores fertility, societal expectations, and maternal identity. Though impactful, some readers find her storyline concludes too abruptly Afrocritik+15The Bookish Elf+15World Literature Today+15.
Omelogor
A former banker turned grad student studying pornography, Omelogor is a contradiction—rich, opinionated, morally complex. Her ambition and contradictions provide sharp social commentary mingled with wit Roelia Reads+13The Times+13The Guardian+13.
Kadiatou
A Guinean housekeeper whose harrowing experiences—female genital mutilation, migration, and sexual assault—anchor the novel’s emotional core. Her storyline, a fictionalized response to the Nafissatou Diallo‑Dominique Strauss‑Kahn case, is devastating, fierce, and deeply empathetic The Washington Post+5The Times+5Hindustan Times+5.
Adichie’s writing is lyrical yet rooted. She brings intimacy to interior moments and realism to harsh truths e.g., the disorienting ennui of lockdown or trauma’s lingering silence. Dialogue is crisp, and imagery such as “empty streets” mirrors the novel’s themes.
Strengths:
- Emotional resonance—The characters feel alive, flawed, and compelling The Bookish ElfRoelia Reads+2The Washington Post+2The Bookish Elf+2.
- Feminist depth—Adichie explores body politics, motherhood, diaspora, and female solidarity with nuance and wit .
- Cultural insight—The novel interrogates African and African‑American diasporic experiences, class, race, and gender dynamics The Bookish Elf+2World Literature Today+2Voice Magazine+2.
Critiques:
- Structural unevenness—Some stories, like Kadiatou’s and Zikora’s, feel rushed or less developed compared to Chia’s Afrocritik+14Voice Magazine+14AP News+14.
- Fragmented pacing—The interwoven timeline, while intentional, may challenge readers expecting a linear plot .
Dream Count is a rich, emotionally charged exploration of four women navigating their past and present, seeking connection and meaning during an era of isolation. It’s not driven by traditional plot but by interiority—and that’s its power. For readers who cherish nuanced, character‑driven narratives and elegant prose, this novel is profoundly moving. It’s feminist without preaching, introspective without sentimentality—and lingers long after the final page.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.