Yejide Kilanko
Author of Daughters Who Walk This Path
About the Author
Image credit: blog, windsorstar
Works by Yejide Kilanko
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1975-10
- Gender
- female
- Education
- University of Victoria , British Columbia, Canada, University of Windsor, Windsor ON, Canada,
- Short biography
- I was born October 1975 in Ibadan, a sprawling university city in south-western Nigeria. One of my fondest childhood memories was staring at the projector screen as my father showed slides from his travels across Australia and New Zealand. How I wanted to travel the world.
My love for reading just about anything I could lay my hands on, led to poetry writing when I was twelve. It was the best way I made sense of all those long, angst-filled teenage and young adult years that followed.
In the year 2000, after our big, loud, African wedding, I joined my husband in Laurel, Maryland. Over that decade, I stayed home to raise our three children, moved to Ontario, Canada and went back to university to become a Social Worker.
Since 2009, I've been very fortunate to work as a child protection worker, a crisis counsellor and currently as a therapist in children's mental health. Spending my day with children brings me joy. They truly have a lot to teach.
I currently live in scenic Chatham, Ontario with my family and I'm working hard on my next novel. - Nationality
- Canada
- Birthplace
- Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Places of residence
- "Chatham , Ontario, Canada"
- Map Location
- Canada
Members
Reviews
this is an incredibly strong debut novel from a very talented writer! i found kilanko's style beautiful, and though she is dealing with some very difficult, heartbreaking subjects, i was left feeling hopeful at the end. i even had my eyes well up with tears twice in the last part of the story - something that is a fairly rare occurrence for me when i read. (kilanko is not sappy or sentimental, though.)
i think what is so powerful about this novel is the idea that, while the events are show more specific to the characters kilanko has created, the subjects are truly universal - particularly in regard to rape.(how kilanko portrayed the various reactions, behaviours, and emotions was, i thought, very well done.) there are some powerful, supportive women in daughters who walk this path, so the idea of an important network of female family and friends was something i truly enjoyed experiencing. the novel is set during contemporary times in nigeria, but there are still strong traditional values and tribal lines. many things continue to be a struggle for women, including their safety, and society is portrayed as quite patriarchal still.
and yet, there is hope.
note to remember: mentioned in the book is nadine gordimer's Burger's Daughter (noted as one of auntie morenike's favourite books). have to read that now.) :) show less
i think what is so powerful about this novel is the idea that, while the events are show more specific to the characters kilanko has created, the subjects are truly universal - particularly in regard to rape.(how kilanko portrayed the various reactions, behaviours, and emotions was, i thought, very well done.) there are some powerful, supportive women in daughters who walk this path, so the idea of an important network of female family and friends was something i truly enjoyed experiencing. the novel is set during contemporary times in nigeria, but there are still strong traditional values and tribal lines. many things continue to be a struggle for women, including their safety, and society is portrayed as quite patriarchal still.
and yet, there is hope.
note to remember: mentioned in the book is nadine gordimer's Burger's Daughter (noted as one of auntie morenike's favourite books). have to read that now.) :) show less
Morayo and Eniayo are sisters coming of age in modern day Nigeria. They live in the bustling city of Ibadan with their traditional parents in a home filled with love, trust, and support. Eniayo's birth presents a challenge to the family dynamic. The family must decide whether to lean towards their superstitious ways or give over to unconditional love because Eniayo was born afin, an albino. They choose love. At first the new, extremely pink baby is hard for Morayo, five at the time, to show more accept. Soon they become inseparable. The strength and bonds of this family are well tried when a troubled cousin, Bros T, moves in. The sisters innocence is lost.
Morayo is a solid young woman surrounded by a thoughtful and encouraging family. When a family member violates her things begin to crumble. When Morayo's secret almost destroys her, her Aunt Morenike helps to bear her burden. Through sharing her own story Morenike ushers Morayo into her healing process. Morenike is the strong tower of this novel it seems as if her strength is unwavering. As Morayo matures and makes questionable relationship choices, Morenike continues to give her sound advice without judgment. During this time Eniayo is growing up as well, becoming more self confident and soon the reader forgets about her being, afin. Eniayo's character was so lovely to me. She was a light to the entire novel.
The author's writing style is gentle, caring, and insightful. This story wrapped around you. The author makes you feel apart of the family, community, culture, and sisterhood. The reader never feels like and outsider. Morayo's character depicts a complete journey of womanhood. We read as Morayo establishes lasting friendships, works her way through difficult relationships with men, and heals from sexual abuse. Through family and individuals alike Kilanko produces an in depth tale of happiness and heartbreak.
After finishing, Daughters Who Walk This Path, I am still inspired by the women young and old and the bonds they shared. Words escape me as to how to describe the "wisdom" this novel possessed. Daughters... shows the strength of a strong female community and how it empowers, molds, and shapes its daughters from the cradle to the grave. Daughters Who Walk This Path was just an all around beautiful piece of work.
A copy of this book was provided by the LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Giveaway. The views and opinions expressed are my own. show less
Morayo is a solid young woman surrounded by a thoughtful and encouraging family. When a family member violates her things begin to crumble. When Morayo's secret almost destroys her, her Aunt Morenike helps to bear her burden. Through sharing her own story Morenike ushers Morayo into her healing process. Morenike is the strong tower of this novel it seems as if her strength is unwavering. As Morayo matures and makes questionable relationship choices, Morenike continues to give her sound advice without judgment. During this time Eniayo is growing up as well, becoming more self confident and soon the reader forgets about her being, afin. Eniayo's character was so lovely to me. She was a light to the entire novel.
The author's writing style is gentle, caring, and insightful. This story wrapped around you. The author makes you feel apart of the family, community, culture, and sisterhood. The reader never feels like and outsider. Morayo's character depicts a complete journey of womanhood. We read as Morayo establishes lasting friendships, works her way through difficult relationships with men, and heals from sexual abuse. Through family and individuals alike Kilanko produces an in depth tale of happiness and heartbreak.
After finishing, Daughters Who Walk This Path, I am still inspired by the women young and old and the bonds they shared. Words escape me as to how to describe the "wisdom" this novel possessed. Daughters... shows the strength of a strong female community and how it empowers, molds, and shapes its daughters from the cradle to the grave. Daughters Who Walk This Path was just an all around beautiful piece of work.
A copy of this book was provided by the LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Giveaway. The views and opinions expressed are my own. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.Kilanko's book gives the reader a glimpse into the modern Nigerian cultural landscape as seen through the eyes of some of its most vulnerable inhabitants, young girls. Morayo is violated by a cousin as a young girl and is burdened by shame in a society that thinks young women are somehow to blame for a man's actions. Her parents are not emotionally supportive when she finally tells them what is happening although they do send Bros T away. Her Aunt Morenike lends her moral support since she show more has gone through a similar experience. Morayo eventually works through her feelings of self loathing and learns to trust again.
The author portrays Nigeria in all its complexity as the characters are caught between the old superstitions and folklore held by many and the emerging modern beliefs of the better educated citizens. The violence of the military and the helplessness of civilians is portrayed as is the distrust between the various tribes in Nigeria, the Igbo and the Yoruba being two examples.
Some elements of the storytelling felt disjointed, and contrived but all in all the author has written an excellent first novel with interesting characters, flashes of humor, and portraying an engrossing glimpse into Nigerian society. show less
The author portrays Nigeria in all its complexity as the characters are caught between the old superstitions and folklore held by many and the emerging modern beliefs of the better educated citizens. The violence of the military and the helplessness of civilians is portrayed as is the distrust between the various tribes in Nigeria, the Igbo and the Yoruba being two examples.
Some elements of the storytelling felt disjointed, and contrived but all in all the author has written an excellent first novel with interesting characters, flashes of humor, and portraying an engrossing glimpse into Nigerian society. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.I found myself unable to put down Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko; so compelling was the story, with rich characters, multifaceted storylines, and exceptional detail and care given to the very deep and emotional topics covered in this book. While I do not intend to give anything away, however I must warn that Daughter Who Walk This Path deals with such issues as rape and incest. Kilanko delves into these topics without overpowering the reader, yet allowing the reader to feel show more as though they know the characters and explains, not excuses, how women can be treated in Nigeria. Daughters Who Walk This Path beautifully demonstrates the intricately close bonds between women; especially family members allowing the reader a rather intimate look into the world of friendship and familial bonds in Nigeria. I was truly stunned to learn Daughter Who Walk This Path was Kilanko’s first book, it does not read as though it is a debut novel. I shall be looking forward to reading future books by this author and recommend Daughters Who Walk This Path to adult readers and discussion groups. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 4
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 154
- Popularity
- #135,794
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 27
- ISBNs
- 22
- Languages
- 1
- Favorited
- 1
