Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dream Count marks her return to fiction after a decade of essays, speeches, and celebrated short works. Best known for Americanah, Half of a Yellow Sun, and her viral essay We Should All Be Feminists, Adichie’s storytelling prowess needs little introduction.
In Dream Count, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores the lives of four women—Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou—navigating love, identity, and regret in a world shaped by cultural norms and personal choices. Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel seamlessly weaves themes of isolation, resilience, and interconnectedness. It is a deeply introspective and beautifully rendered work of contemporary fiction.
If you enjoyed titles that explore female friendships and modern womanhood, such as The Guncle by Steven Rowley or Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, Adichie’s Dream Count will resonate deeply.
Plot Summary: Navigating Love, Loss, and Choices
The novel primarily revolves around Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer living in America. Stranded in pandemic isolation, Chiamaka confronts the ghosts of her past loves through a metaphorical “dream count”—reflecting on men like Chijioke, her youthful ideal, and fleeting relationships that shaped her emotional landscape.
Alongside Chiamaka’s introspection are the narratives of three other women:
Zikora, Chiamaka’s best friend and a successful lawyer, faces the collapse of her relationship and a betrayal that forces her to reassess her life.
Omelogor, Chiamaka’s cousin and a financial powerhouse in Nigeria, appears confident but begins questioning the emptiness in her achievements.
Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, represents the struggles of immigrant women in America. Kadiatou’s fight for survival is a sobering depiction of class and systemic injustice.
Adichie carefully weaves these interconnected narratives into a powerful meditation on womanhood, regret, and the quest for fulfillment. Each character’s journey feels intensely personal yet universally relatable, reflecting Adichie’s ability to evoke shared truths.
For readers intrigued by stories of women navigating identity, you may also enjoy None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell, which delves into women’s hidden lives with gripping psychological depth.
Character Analysis: Voices That Resonate
Chiamaka
Chiamaka’s reflections drive much of the novel’s emotional weight. Her isolation during the pandemic forces her into a reckoning with past relationships and unfulfilled dreams. She is self-aware, sharp-witted, yet burdened by regret. Adichie captures her voice with precision—at once introspective and biting, making her struggles deeply human.
Zikora
Zikora’s story explores themes of success, heartbreak, and identity. Despite professional achievements, her personal life crumbles, forcing her to reconnect with family. Zikora’s arc resonates with women who have had to redefine themselves after loss.
Omelogor
Omelogor’s character brings a refreshing, unapologetic boldness. While outwardly thriving as a financial mogul, her introspection reveals cracks in her carefully curated life. Her dialogues with Chiamaka offer humor and deep cultural commentary.
Kadiatou
Kadiatou’s storyline is perhaps the most heart-wrenching. Adichie paints a searing portrait of immigrant struggles, motherhood, and systemic injustice. Kadiatou’s resilience contrasts sharply with the privilege Chiamaka grapples with, adding layers of social critique to the novel.
For another poignant exploration of immigrant lives, The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan offers a compelling historical lens.
Themes: Love, Regret, and the Quest for Happiness
The Nature of Love
At its core, Dream Count is about love—romantic, maternal, and self-love. Adichie examines how love shapes us, wounds us, and drives our choices. Chiamaka’s reflections, Zikora’s heartbreak, and Kadiatou’s fierce maternal love offer multiple lenses through which love is experienced.
Regret and Self-Reflection
Regret is a central theme in Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Through Chiamaka’s “dream count,” Adichie confronts the bittersweet nature of choices—those we made and those we avoided. The pandemic setting intensifies this introspection, making it universally relatable.
Systemic Injustice
Kadiatou’s arc highlights the harsh realities of immigrant life and systemic inequality. Adichie critiques class divides and the erasure of marginalized women’s struggles, delivering some of the novel’s most powerful moments.
For more novels that explore similar social themes, consider reading Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.
Adichie’s Writing Style: Poetic and Unflinching
Adichie’s prose in Dream Count is nothing short of exquisite. Her language strikes a perfect balance between lyrical beauty and sharp, unflinching realism. Whether describing Chiamaka’s sardonic humor or Kadiatou’s quiet despair, Adichie’s words linger with readers long after the final page.
Her skill with dialogue is particularly noteworthy. Conversations flow naturally, often layered with unspoken emotions and cultural nuances. Adichie’s depiction of both American and Nigerian settings adds a rich, immersive quality to the narrative, reminding readers of her gift for world-building.
For a similar blend of lyrical writing and deep emotional resonance, readers should explore Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, another novel that balances introspection with poetic elegance.
Critique: Moments of Imbalance
While Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a remarkable achievement, it is not without flaws. The novel’s pacing occasionally falters, particularly in the middle chapters where Chiamaka’s introspection risks becoming repetitive. Some readers may feel that Kadiatou’s storyline, though compelling, deserved a deeper exploration to match the emotional depth of Chiamaka’s arc.
Additionally, the pandemic setting—though an effective backdrop for isolation—at times feels underutilized, leaving opportunities for broader commentary unexplored.
Why You Should Read Dream Count
Deeply Relatable Characters: Each of the four women is a masterfully drawn portrait of modern womanhood.
Themes That Resonate: Love, loss, and the search for happiness are explored with nuance and honesty.
Beautiful Prose: Adichie’s writing is both lyrical and razor-sharp, making every page a pleasure to read.
Relevant Social Commentary: From systemic injustice to cultural identity, the novel tackles pressing contemporary themes.
If you love literary fiction that challenges and inspires, Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a must-read. It pairs beautifully with titles like Americanah and contemporary favorites such as Real Americans by Rachel Khong.
Conclusion: A Powerful Exploration of Love and Identity
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a triumph of contemporary literature. Through the interconnected lives of Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou, Adichie offers a searing exploration of love, regret, and the human condition. While not without minor flaws, the novel’s emotional depth and lyrical prose confirm Adichie’s place as one of the greatest storytellers of our time.
For readers seeking a thought-provoking, beautifully crafted novel that will linger long after the final page, Dream Count delivers in every way.
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Final Verdict:
Dream Count is a profound, beautifully written novel that reminds us of the fragility and beauty of human connection. Adichie’s return to fiction is a literary gift worth celebrating.