Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for allowing me to read a digital ARC of "Dream Count" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, with a March 4, 2025, publication date. “Dream Count “ is the third novel I have read by Ms. Adichie, and it is a departure from the previous books I've read. The story takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores the lives of four African women, highlighting their friendship, culture, relationships, social status, and intersectionality.

Chiamaka, a wealthy Nigerian travel writer, explores her relationships with multiple men from her past and present, whom she refers to as her “dream count.” Zikora, Chiamaka’s friend, is a lawyer whose success at work does not translate into her personal life. Omelogor, Chimakas’s cousin, is a brilliant banker in Abuja; she is a strong, witty businesswoman and a modern-day Robyn Hood. Kadiatou, Chimaka’s part-time Guinean housekeeper, is raising a child alone. Kadiatou has an unfortunate encounter at her part-time hotel job, which leaves her reeling as her world and existence are turned upside down. Chiamaka has a heart of gold and fiercely loves and protects her friends and relatives, though it takes her quite a while to see value in herself. 

The narrative is engaging, informative, and thought-provoking. The characters are well developed, except for Zikora’s, which felt incomplete. Kadiatou’s storyline resonated with me deeply, and the author noted in the Afterword that the encounter Kadiatou experienced was based on the Strauss-Kahn hotel maid case in New York in May 2011.

I appreciated the writing style, which is beautiful, poetic, and descriptive. I cannot recommend this book enough to fans of Ms. Adichie.

"Dream Count" by Chimamanda Ngozi is a breathtaking masterpiece that deserves every one of its five stars. Set against the backdrop of the pandemic, this novel delves deep into the stories of four compelling female protagonists. Each character is richly developed, providing a tapestry of experiences that reflect the trials, successes, and failures in their lives and loves.

Chimamanda’s writing is both poignant and powerful, capturing the essence of human resilience and vulnerability. The pandemic setting adds a layer of urgency and introspection, as these women navigate the complexities of their past and present.

What truly stands out is how beautifully the novel examines the intricacies of human relationships, touching on themes of identity, ambition, and redemption. The author skillfully weaves their narratives, offering a profound reflection on what it means to dream, even in times of uncertainty.

"Dream Count" is not just a novel; it is an emotional journey that resonates deeply, leaving readers reflecting on their own lives long after the last page is turned. A truly remarkable read that cements Chimamanda Ngozi's reputation as a literary luminary.

Dream Count tells the stories of four women as they grapple with a global pandemic, understanding themselves, and navigating their relationships with each other, their families, and their lovers. Chiamaka is a travel writer living in America who is the knot that binds these women together. Zikora is her best friend, a successful lawyer in America who wants nothing more than to have a family of her own. Kadiatou dreams of a better future for her daughter while working as Chia's housekeeper when tragedy strikes. And Omelogor, Chia's cousin in Nigeria, is a banking powerhouse who begins to question whether she is really satisfied with her life.

This was a beautifully written character driven book. Each character was so distinct and while a lot of them were dealing with similar troubles, they all had different approaches to them. It was also really interesting to see the same events or characters through their different perspectives. It touches on a lot of important ideas like motherhood, expectations for family and romantic partners, and understanding and respect for different cultural identities. The book does touch on the COVID 19 pandemic, so anyone who doesn't want to read about that might want to skip this one. Fans of Adichie's previous work are certain to love this and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy character driven books and books about female friendships.

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche

The lives of several Nigerian women intersect in Nigeria and the US. They spend much of their time discussing men, life in the two places,food and their lives as immigrants. Each wonders what her life would be like if her man, dream man or ex were a different way.

According to the Author’s Note at the end of the book, much of this story was written to replicate the story of an immigrant hotel housekeeper in New York City who was sexually assaulted by a powerful man while cleaning his room. The incident went to trial where she was presented to be a liar. One of the book’s characters takes on this role.

I found the cultural explanations and differences quite interesting, but lost interest as the trial for the assault went on and on. Overall, I’ll give this book three stars and suggest the audience for those with an interest in anthropology.

“Dream Count” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a brilliant novel that is hard to describe. It tells the story of four African women who are trying to find love, happiness, acceptance, and themselves in a time of change and uncertainty. Chiamanka is the daughter of wealthy parents and a travel writer living in the US. She shares a history with her best friend (Zikora) and her cousin (Omelogor), who goes in and out of her life. Chimaka’s housekeeper, Kadiatou, comes from a different African background but is still considered family.

I learned so much from reading this novel, and as Adichie says in her brilliant TED Talk, “The Single Story” there are multiple ways of viewing people, a culture, and a world. I hope she continues writing books like this that show the complexities of women’s lives and the lives of people from a culture I am not so familiar with. I have showed that TED Talk to my students dozens of times, so while I was reading this story, I could actually hear Adichie’s voice as if she was narrating it. One part of the story that really rang true to me was Omelgor’s struggles as a graduate student in an American university. I feel that Adachie hit the nail on the head with what is wrong with a lot of American academia.
Sometimes I was confused in the story because the timeline jumped back and forth and it was hard to keep track of the many lovers that appeared in their recollections (with the exception of Darnell, who was a real piece of work! But even so, paragraph by paragraph, page by page, Adichie’s writing shines. If only I could write one tenth as beautifully as her.

Finally, I appreciated the epilog that outlined what formed the basis of Kadiatou’s tragic story.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this incredible book, which is bound to be a classic. My opinions are my own.

An in depth character study of 4 different women around the world during the Covid pandemic, you'll be sucked into the beauty of Adichie's writing and the depth of these women's lives during lockdown. They are all connected to Chi, who muses that she's never been truly known in all of her relationships, her 'dream count' and vows to change that. Her friend, Zikora, is a successful lawyer, who suddenly finds herself dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. Chia's housekeeper, Kadiatou, is saving up to start a restaurant. The novel is bookended by Kadiatou's story, as she suffers a tragic event when she gets a job as a maid at an upscale DC hotel. This event is based on a true story, and I think I know what Adichie is referring to here, which then kicks off the 'me too' movement. Then there is Chi's cousin, Omelogor, a wealthy career woman who believes she's happy, but is she really? Many of these stories contain pain and joy, and you get a glimpse into these women's lives and some of their African history along the way. A beautifully written ode to women, friendship, and life.

‘Dream Count’ has been billed as “a publishing event 10 years in the making” and I couldn’t be more in agreement. The long-awaited new novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the story of 4 women, Chiamaka, Zikora, Kadiatou, and Omelogor. Set within the framework of the Covid lockdowns, I was initially apprehensive that this was going to be a pandemic novel, but I was so happy to be proven wrong.

Chiamaka, an affluent travel writer based in Maryland, spends the period of lockdown looking back on her past loves, her “dream count”. As she enters her 40s, her determination to be truly known in her romantic relationships undergoes heavy introspection.

Zikora, a corporate lawyer in DC, has her world turned upside down when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant. Throughout this period of upheaval, she is faced with new truths about herself and her relationship with her mother. If this seems familiar, Adichie previously published a short story, ‘Zikora’, that this chapter expands on.

Kadiatou, a Guinean maid and Chiamaka’s housekeeper, is suddenly thrust into the global spotlight when a contemptible event threatens everything she has clawed and scraped for.

Omelogor, a banker in Abuja and Chiamaka’s cousin, decides to pursue a Masters degree in pornography. Her experience in the American university system sparks a melancholy that shakes the typically self-possessed and confident financier.

Oh, how I’ve missed Chimamanda’s pen. The prose sings and her typical sharp observations are littered throughout the novel. I highly recommend that you read her acknowledgements at the end of the novel where she goes into more detail about the choices she made in regard to Kadiatou’s story.

This is an easy 5-star rating for me and I only hope that we do not have to wait another 10 years for the next one. ‘Dream Count’ is out everywhere on March 4th, 2025.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @aaknopf @knopfcooks @pantheonbooks @ireadvintage and @netgalley for the advanced reader copy


#dreamcount #chimamandangoziadichie #chimamanda #netgalley

Adichie is an undeniably talented writer, and Dream Count started out strong, with carefully written character sketches of her four main characters. The center of the web of relationships is Chiamaka, and perhaps there lies the root of my disappointment in the novel. The three other characters are more interesting, but seem to be revolving around no center.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this, but unfortunately it missed the mark for me. I really struggled with Chia and the never ending reflections on her failed relationships

Dream Count is the story of four women, all of whom are connected with Chia, whose first person perspective bookends the other sections highlighting each of the women. Their stories at times overlap and I really enjoyed getting the perspective of each of these African women. Kadiatou’s story was at times heartbreaking but also inspiring as she is such a strong person.

Readers who enjoy character-driven novels will surely want to read this book. I also enjoyed learning something about African culture. And the author’s note at the end just added to the depth of the novel. This was the first book I have read by the author and I can’t wait to dive into her previous work.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Alfred A Knopf publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Adichie has written a rich, evocative character-driven novel about four unmarried African women, exploring their lives, their loves, their dreams. But please be aware that explicit sexual attacks are part of the story.

The main character is Chiamaka, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy Nigerian family, living in suburban Maryland at the start of the pandemic lockdown, communicating with her family and friends through Zoom meetings. The isolation is driving her crazy and she begins to examine her life choices, especially her many failed love affairs. The first line of the book grabbed me right away as she says, "I have always longed to be known, truly known, by another human being." And later: "More than marriage, I was looking for what I then did not know as the resplendence of being truly known." How poignant! The knots she ties herself in in the past, being pliant and docile or whatever needed, to be the woman she thinks she must be in order to be loved. So many women will recognize themselves in that.

Her best friend is Zikora, a successful lawyer at a prestigious law firm where she hopes to become a partner. She has tried to do everything required of her in her life, hoping all the right pieces will fall into place, but fate seems oblivious and she finds herself a single mother.

Chiamaka's cousin, Omelogor, has become wealthy by being a financial powerhouse. She has enjoyed her single life with her many friends until one day her aunt says to her, "Don't pretend that you like the life you are living." And those words worm their way into her consciousness, making her truly examine her life for perhaps the first time.

I love how she uses the not-totally-legal things she's learned through watching men in high finance to increase her own wealth and then helps other women start their own businesses, calling herself Robyn Hood. While helping to raise own young girl, she observes, "If our daughters do not know how beautiful they are, just as they are, then surely we have failed."

The fourth women we meet is Kadiatou, a Guinean immigrant who works as Chiamaka's housekeeper and cook. She is raising her daughter Binta on her own and wants to start her own restaurant so the three friends help her get a job as a maid at a prestigious Washington DC hotel. Unfortunately there something happens that turns her life into a nightmare. In the Author's Note, she tells how she based that character on a real life news story.

This is writing at its finest. We do come to really know these women fully, fulfilling Chiamaka's wish to be known.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel via NetGalley.
My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dream Count tells the stories of 4 women - Chiamaka, Zikora, Kadiatou, Omelogor - Each story reads like a a self-contained novella, but we see updates and other perspectives of them through each other's scenes.

Chiamaka’s story starts and ends the book; the book’s opening paragraph is so beautiful, saying that she has always longed to be truly known by someone and that it was the isolation of the pandemic that really caused her to start looking back at all of her relationships. Chiamaka is the string that initially ties all of these women together

The story that spoke to me the most was that of Zikora. Zikora’s section starts while she is in labor, struggling with the pain of childbirth, which is not made any easier by the presence of her own mother. The story then follows Zikora over this next phase in her life, as she becomes a mother, loses touch with herself, and learns more about her own mother. In the author’s note, Adichie says she wrote this novel after the loss of her own mother, which definitely weighs heavily on Zikora’s story.

Chiamaka’s cousin Omelogor is a Nigerian banker whose story follows her from Nigeria to America and back On the outside, Omelogor is the strongest of these women; on the inside, prompted by the concerns of a nosy aunt, she is starting to question whether or not she is truly happy with her life.

The story that haunted me the most was that was Kadiatou, which Adichie say was inspired by the true story of Nafissatou Diallo. We begin Kadiatou’s story when she is a child in Guinea and follow her journey to America. While Kadiatou suffered a lot of loss and trial in her life, something unimaginable happens to her that leaves her feeling more alone and broken than ever in her life. Her story is where we really see all of the other characters come together, as different as they all are, they all align in their support for Kadiatou.

This was one of those books that completely enveloped me; the characters, the dialogue, the big things, the little details, were all so beautifully written.

Thank you #NetGalley and Knof for an ARC of this book!

This was tricky for me to get into and get through. I loved the writing, the descriptions are truly incredible. There were too many story lines and I found myself craving more from the ones that ended. Thank you, NetGalley

This is my first book by acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and I was enthralled. Her writing is luminous and generous. Every sentence seems more descriptive, and more perfect, than the last. DREAM COUNT relates the lives of four somewhat-friends; the relationships between the women vary somewhat in intimacy. Readers meet each woman on her own terms; the issues that animate and propel these characters forward have more to do with age, and hoped-for milestones of adulthood, than they do with their respective relationships. They are all in pursuit of love and the implicit belief that true love allows the woman to be fully seen. The Pandemic is used as a backdrop to the primary character’s sense of invisibility, of not being understood and seen. This is a wonderful book and well worth reading. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks to NetGalley and and Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage Catalog for the early copy of this book. I have loved all of Ngozi’s books, particularly Purple Hibiscus. This one, however, did not land for me. This is a mostly character driven book- not a ton of plot and it really moved slowly for me.

Divided into 5 sections, Dream Count tells the story of 4 Nigerian women. Chiamaka is a travel author living in America amidst the early days of the pandemic. Zikora, also living in America, is a new single mother. Kadiatou, a housekeeper in a large hotel, is happily living her American Dream until she is assaulted by a guest. Omelogor, a self-made wealthy banker, has moved back to Nigeria after quitting an American graduate school where she was studying the effects of pornography. While their lives are connected in meaningful ways, each woman has their own distinct experiences with America, Africa, love, work, and duty.

Adichie’s writing is beautiful, and she makes these women and the daily minutiae of their lives come alive. Unfortunately, there just was not enough plot here to justify 416 pages. It was more of a (very long) snapshot of four womens’ lives. This is very similar to how I feel when I read something by Sally Rooney - impressed by the writing, immersed in it while I am reading, but once I set the book aside I have no compelling desire to go back to it. It also does not help that I read about how this is a “publishing event 10 years in the making” over and over, which probably set my expectations a bit too high. While this one was not a hit for me, I expect it to be popular and would still recommend it for readers who like long, character-driven novels.

Read this if: literary fiction is your favorite genre and/or you enjoyed Intermezzo.

Skip this if: you prefer a book with a fast-moving plot.

I’ll happily devour any word Adichie writes, and this is no exception. I love the cadence and richness of Adichie’s language, and the deft way she weaves together the complex stories of these complex women makes them as real to the reader as a dear IRL friend. I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time.

Chiamaka is a Nigerian travel writer living in America. Alone in the midst of the pandemic, she recalls her past lovers and grapples with her choices and regrets. Zikora, her best friend, is a lawyer who has been successful at everything until—betrayed and brokenhearted—she must turn to the person she thought she needed least. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s bold, outspoken cousin, is a financial powerhouse in Nigeria who begins to question how well she knows herself. And Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, is proudly raising her daughter in America—but faces an unthinkable hardship that threatens all she has worked to achieve.

In Dream Count, Adichie trains her fierce eye on these women in a sparkling, transcendent novel that takes up the very nature of love itself. Is true happiness ever attainable or is it just a fleeting state? And how honest must we be with ourselves in order to love, and to be loved? A trenchant reflection on the choices we make and those made for us, on daughters and mothers, on our interconnected world, Dream Count pulses with emotional urgency and poignant, unflinching observations of the human heart, in language that soars with beauty and power. It confirms Adichie’s status as one of the most exciting and dynamic writers on the literary landscape.

My Take:
With themes of friendship, family, individual fulfillment, and romantic relationships, this book reminds me of an updated "Waiting to Exhale." Instead of these themes being told strictly from a Black American point of view, this offering is more global, incorporating life and culture from Nigerians (Igbo) and Guinea. However, set aside any notions that this is a sharp critique of life after Pandemic 19 or a new feminist prose. What "Dream Count" offers is a voyeuristic look at people one might encounter if interested in taking a deeper look. This is where I struggle a bit—while I initially was interested in taking a deeper look, my interest waxed and waned with each character. I had hoped to sustain interest in each of them, but only maintained interest in one character who was loosely based on a real person. This saddens me because of the violence she encounters. Looking back at what Terry McMillan achieved with her foursome in "Waiting to Exhale," I felt that she liked each of the characters she created, and in doing so, imbued them with traits that made them easy for me to like, even when they were imperfect. Here, I felt Adichie did not really like the characters she created—they were written as annoyances that one should not seek to emulate, even if they have cultural reasons for it. They are punished for bringing their cultural beliefs to America, and Americans are punished for not providing a safe space for their cultural practices and beliefs. In the end, I wondered who this book is for and how I might engage with it better. This question makes me reluctant to suggest this as a good book club selection—I think individual reflection is needed if one is interested. One thing that is not in question is how well-written the book is. It flows well with its interconnected nature; it just didn't leave me better than it found me.

This is my first time reading this author’s work. The writing is stellar, and it caused a significant emotional response within me.

With that said, I had to put the book down due to anxiety and emotional triggers. I thought I was ready for this book, but I fear it’s just not something that I can read at this time.

Oh how lucky we are to have a new Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie book! Dream Count tells the interlinked stories of four Nigerian women, each from their own perspective. The story centers around Chiamaka, who lives in the United States - she comes from a wealthy family and has the financial freedom to be a travel writer. Chia's cousin, Omelogor and best friend, Zikora, have similar backgrounds - one is a banker and one is a lawyer. The fourth woman is Kadiatou, Chia's housekeeper, who comes from a very different background and is now raising her daughter in America. The magic of this book is not so much what happens to each character, but how Adichie is so adept at observing life - all its desires and disappointments, its loves and its losses, its messiness, its hope - and coalescing those observations into a beautiful story that is gripping and oh, so moving.