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Abi Ishola-Ayodeji

Patience Is a Subtle Thief: A Novel

Patience Is a Subtle Thief: A Novel

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  • More about Patience Is a Subtle Thief: A Novel

In this tale of lost innocence, set in politically volatile 1990s Nigeria, Patience Adewale, the eldest daughter of Chief Kolade Adewale, seeks confirmation of her love and belonging. Living a sheltered life in Ibadan, she embarks on a desperate search to find her mother, reconnecting with her cousin Kash and joining him and his friend Emeka in a petty theft scheme. Unforeseen events lead to unexpected consequences, testing Patience's courage and resilience as she navigates her way to adulthood.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc


In this poignant tale of lost innocence, set in the politically tumultuous 1990s Nigeria, Hope and circumstance shape the life of a young woman named Patience Adewale. The eldest daughter of Chief Kolade Adewale, Patience has long yearned for confirmation of her love and a sense of belonging. While she leads a sheltered existence within the secure walls of the family's mansion in Ibadan, she finds no solace from her distant father and stepmother, Modupe. Her only ally is her younger sister, Margaret, but even Margaret's love and support cannot alleviate Patience's deep-seated insecurity and uncertainty.

More than anything, Patience craves answers to the question of why her father and uncle banished her mother from their compound years ago. She embarks on a desperate quest to find her mother, driven by a burning desire to uncover the truth. As she relocates to Lagos for university, Patience unexpectedly reconnects with her cousin, Kash. Kash and his friend, Emeka, are petty thieves with a chance to make a substantial fortune. They enlist Patience and Emeka's brother, Chike, as partners in their scheme. The thieves plan to quit after this job, but unforeseen events lead to unexpected consequences, demanding a price from Patience that may be too steep to pay.

Suspenseful and offering a fresh and unexpected perspective on Nigerian life, "Patience Is a Subtle Thief" is a heart-wrenching story of one young woman's precarious journey to adulthood. It explores the risks and sacrifices she must make to follow her heart, showcasing the complexities and challenges of navigating a society ridden with political unrest and societal expectations. Through Patience's journey, the novel sheds light on the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 135 x 205 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780063116924

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