The Sweetest Remedy

The Sweetest Remedy

Author	Jane Igharo
Language	English
Genre	Fiction
Publication date	September 28, 2021
ISBN	978-0-593-10196-4

The Sweetest Remedy is a novel by Jane Igharo, a Nigerian fiction writer best known for her debut novel Ties That Tether. The novel centers around Hannah Bailey, a woman seeking connection to her heritage who travels to Nigeria for her estranged father's funeral. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Synopsis

Hannah Bailey spent most of her life without her Nigerian father, a man who briefly had an affair with her white mother. When she hears of the death of her father, she decides to confront her past and seek connection with her roots by accepting the invitation to his funeral in Nigeria. ^[5] Amidst the preparations for the funeral, Hannah immerses herself in revealing the story about her father's life. She goes into his past, piecing together different aspects of his journey and the reasons behind his absence from her life. She meets his wife and her half-siblings. ^[4] Along the way, she discovers unexpected allies within the family who offer insights into her father's character and the complexities of his legacy. ^[6] She also develops a romance with her father's protege, Lawrence. ^[3] Through the novel Hannah becomes drawn to the vibrant tapestry of Nigeria culture. With time she begins to embrace the traditions of her homeland with the support from her family. ^[6]

Characters

1. Hannah Bailey: The protagonist of the story, a biracial woman who never knew her Nigerian father until his passing. She struggles with her identity and feelings of not belonging, but embarks on a journey of self-discovery when she travels to Nigeria for her father's funeral.
2. Lawrence: A character involved with Hannah's Nigerian family, though not a blood relative of hers. He becomes a love interest for Hannah, providing support and introducing her to different aspects of Nigerian culture and society.
3. Tiwa, Shola, Dami, and Segun: Hannah's half-siblings from her father's side, each with their own unique reactions to her sudden appearance in their lives. Some accept her readily, while others struggle with feelings of betrayal and resentment.
4. Hannah's mother: A white woman who had a brief relationship with Hannah's father. She raised Hannah on her own and has her own complex feelings about Hannah's father and his family.
5. Hannah's Nigerian family: Consisting of her father's mother, grandmother, and aunt, who each react differently to Hannah's arrival. While some are warm and welcoming, others are cold and distant, reflecting the complexities of family dynamics.
6. The Racist Man: A minor character who exhibits racist behavior towards Hannah, highlighting the challenges she faces as a biracial individual navigating societal perceptions of race and identity.

References

1. Igharo, Jane (2021-09-28). The Sweetest Remedy. New York: Berkley. ISBN   978-0-593-10196-4.
2. "The Sweetest Remedy". Barnes and Noble.
3. THE SWEETEST REMEDY | Kirkus Reviews.
4. "The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
5. "Book Review: "The Sweetest Remedy" by Jane Igharo". She's Full of Lit. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
6. "The Sweetest Remedy". Amanda's Book Corner. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2024-05-12.