What a beautifully written book about 4 Nigerian friends, centered around the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic living in different parts of the world. I appreciated hearing in depth from each woman, learning about their current and past experiences. I wasn't sure how I would feel now at the 5 year anniversary of the Covid-19 lockdown how I would feel reading a book that starts there. It was a wonderful read, to go back to those memories from another's perspective. Note that the book covers difficult topics including sexual assault, racism, and violence, so do take care with your reading. Overall I'm grateful I had the opportunity to read this book!

Oh Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, why did you make me wait 10 years for this book? But the wait was worth it! "Dream Count" is an absolutely phenomenal book. An intimate story of four African women, the reader is completely immersed into their struggles, their hopes, their dreams, their fears, and their failings. In short, the women depicted in this novel are so real! My heart ached for these women and I could identify with them completely.

The writing is exquisitely beautiful, at times it reads more like poetry. There are many passages that shot straight into my heart; leaving me wiping away tears. "Dream Count" is definitely not a light, easy read. It is challenging and cerebral, a stunning case study into what it means to be human. I know it is only March, but this just may be the best book I read all year. Like "Americanah," "Dream Count" is a book I won't soon forget.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the incredible privilege of reading an advanced copy of this fabulous book. it is as close to perfection as a book can be. Five stars!

When a new book by Chimamanda Adichie arrives, I know to clear the decks. Her pounding intellect and fiery personality burn on every page. Here she has created four complete characters, but has dedicated this book to her mother and credits her for the inspiration. Here's hoping that another ten years doesn't pass before the next one.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is such a gifted writer, I absolutely loved Americanah, so I had very high hopes for Dream Count. The book is centered around four Nigerian women trying to make sense of their lives and identities during the 2020's and the pandemic. It's beautifully written, but I found it meandering at times and just didn't connect with these characters as much as I wanted to.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for this ARC.

I always love reading Adichie’s prose and introspective characters. Each of these African women was interesting for different reasons but I especially loved Omelogor’s chapter: such a unique, confident perspective. The intersection between cultures was a prominent part of this book but it was primarily a look into these characters’ psyche—what motivates them, how they spend their money, how they feel about love and motherhood and middle age. It was slow moving at times but very immersive and I was happy to fall into a new book by such an incredible author.

UGHHHHHH. Chimamanda Negozi Adichie strikes again with yet another deeply engrossing novel that got me out of a reading slump. She truly delivers each time. Her characters come across as so real because I frequently find myself feeling as if their thoughts were plucked directly from my own brain. It can't get any more authentic (to me) than that. She captures the mixed desires, the compromises, the disappointments, the expectations, and so much more that encompass the human experience. The characters make big, bold mistakes and they are just as likely to take big, bold steps towards empowerment. Sometimes the two might be hard to separate, or get muddled as they do in real life. I love the way Adichie expresses this.

I was SO excited when I saw a new title by Adichie. Loved everything about this story. It’s a beautiful story weaving together the lives of four Nigerian women and their experiences both in Nigeria and the US. Fantastic story

This book centers on four different women: three wealthy women raised in Nigeria, two of whom live in America and one who still lives in Nigeria, and one of the women's housekeepers. Some of the book takes place during the first stages of the pandemic, but we jump around a lot. The plot is not really the engine of the book per se: each section is a deep dive into each of the women's lives and psyches.

I enjoyed this book and found its ruminations on racism and classism very interesting. Adichie really interrogates the ways in which the African American experience is so different from the African experience and how the world perceives each of the women. It did feel disjointed at times -Kadi's storyline could easily have been its own novel - and the emphasis on finding love felt a little off. But I did appreciate how deeply this book explores the ways we twist ourselves into pretzels to make romantic partners happy, and as always Adichie's writing is beautiful.

Also, lots and lots of trigger warnings here for gender and sexual violence in many forms.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

Dream Count pulled me in with its elegant prose and deeply human story. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie weaves together the lives of four women, exploring love, identity, and the immigrant experience with striking honesty. I felt especially moved by the themes of grief and longing, which Adichie ties to her own personal loss. The writing is both evocative and accessible, making this a beautifully layered and thought-provoking read.

An up-close look at the friendships of four Nigerian women. The struggles through the hardships of making a living and the pursuit of love. The resilience of these women and their bond shine as they support each other striving toward their dreams. In stark contrast to these strong women are the men. They are spineless, selfish, inattentive.

Earlier this year I read a short story, Zikora by Adichie. To my delight, Zikora is one of the women and the short story seamlessly blended in with more details I was yearning for.

I loved every page of this book. The prose is delicious, and details of each character were vivid as well as the setting. This is a great place to start reading Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie if this is a new author to you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an early copy.

Thanks to Knopf for an advanced copy of Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

This was a beautifully written book about four women.

This was a Netgalley that I was very excited about. This is the first book I've read by this author that I'd heard so many good things about. The book is about four Nigerian women, each character's story is told separately but their lives are interconnected. Chia lives in the US and is a travel writer, from a wealthy family who I found super uninteresting. Her friend Zakora, could have been left out of the book entirely. The two most compelling characters, Kadiatou and Omelogor, saved the book from being a DNF. It was a bit too long and I struggled to get through it. However, I admit Adichie has a beautiful way with words and if you appreciate lovely writing and don't mind sinking into a long book, pick this one up. I wanted to give this three stars but the beautiful writing and the two characters whose stories I did enjoy, brought it up to a four. I did not regret reading this, but I would not recommend it to everyone. There are lots of lots of triggers, including rape and genital mutilation, which do not bother me but may be problematic to some readers

Adichie's interweaving of four characters and their stories is her first novel in about a decade. Her commanding and lyrical prose works strongly in the first section of this book, though I found my interest in the book did wane a bit as it went along - I liked some character's sections more than others. Also, I am personally not very interested in most books that choose to talk about the pandemic, so I was wary of the opening, but quickly warmed up up to Chiamaka.
The book is approachable for new and old fans of her writing, though I think Americanah is a better introduction to her writing if you are a newer reader. 3.5 stars (3 is a "like" from me, and the .5 is from the strong prose), rounded up since I did enjoy myself for a good chunk of the book.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DREAM COUNT by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ~published March 4, 2025

It might be the best thing I’ve read so far this year. And I understand why you might choose not to read it. Content warnings for sexual assault and FGM.

A little over a decade ago, Adichie wrote a book called AMERICANAH about a Nigerian woman who moves to America and discovers what it is like to be seen as “Black” with a capital B. It was a revelation to me and a five star read. I read it during a period when I was just beginning to read more diversely – it was around the time of the George Floyd verdict – and I look back on that time now and it feels very far away. All of us have a responsibility to discover and understand perspectives different from our own. That is certainly part of the appeal of Adichie’s books, although I think what makes Adichie truly special is her storytelling around identity and belonging.

Since finishing her latest, DREAM COUNT, a character-driven story of four interconnected African women and their relationships with men, I have discovered that the author herself holds a perspective I do not share about trans women. That is not what this book is about, but it is “out there” nonetheless and we, as readers with purchasing power, must decide what to do about it. Having already read the book before becoming aware of her position (I was gifted the ARC by the publisher), all I can do at this point is either amplify the controversy or ignore it and be silent (obviously I have chosen the former). It very much reminds me of when I read THE COLOR PURPLE and discovered only afterwards that Alice Walker had some pretty problematic views unrelated to her book. Many (too many!) authors whose works I love have disappointed me with their beliefs or actions, and I have complicated thoughts about separating the art from the artist. All to say, I understand if you decide to skip this one, and I understand if you decide to pick it up. I would highly recommend the book on its merits alone.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie once again proves her mastery of storytelling, weaving a narrative that is as intimate as it is universal. The novel is a beautifully layered exploration of womanhood, identity, and the strength found in bonds between women.

The story follows four women connected by either friendship or kinship, and each woman has her own chapter that tells follows them through journeys of triumph and struggles. By the end of each chapter, I felt like I knew the characters and yet somehow even after 400+ pages it wasn’t enough.

While the pacing lags in some areas, the novel’s emotional depth and stunning prose more than make up for it. This is a must-read for those who appreciate rich, character-driven narratives.

Where to start? I have so many highlighted notes from Dream Count! The gorgeous prose, the rich characters, their intertwined lives.

Chiamaka is our main character. Her section kicks off the novel. It's the covid lockdown and she's using the time, while sequestered, to ponder life. She's a travel writer, living in Maryland, of Nigerian descent. "I want to write light, funny takes on travel, and to her I'm just an African who should write about struggles". Adichie beautifully portrays the full array of Chia's personality, all the facets (and flaws) she has to offer, not just what others see. Chia is a dreamer, and a lot of her dreaming revolves around the men in her life.

Chia's best friend, lawyer Zikora, takes over the reins in the second section. She refers to men from her past: "the first thief of time..." while she goes down memory lane. Section three focuses on Kadiatou, who had a happy childhood with her sister Binta in Guinea before she immigrated. Kadi is Chia's housekeeper, raising a daughter, and also works at a fancy DC hotel. Rounding out the group is Chia's cousin Omelogor, a woman in finance with a razor sharp fierceness who takes no prisoners. Her website, "For Men Only", in which she gives advice to clueless men ("remember that I'm on your side, dear men") is sublime. They're characters in each other's stories, and we really get to know them when we get to their sections. We tie it up with a final section back from Chia.

Dream Count goes deep. The women's stories are profound, emotional, heartbreaking, the circumstances timely. I love a novel that widens my perspective. Dream Count resonates.

My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the digital ARC. (pub date 3/4/2025)

A must read for all women. Authentic women with authentic lives. I have not lived their experience though, so this is a portrait of how the world discriminates and values its black women and mostly how a prejudiced world can turn against a victim based on the color of her skin. This is also about Nigerian/African culture and how they value women showing also the cultural tradition of genital mutilation/cutting and how superstition plays a role in culture. We have a portrait of women - their victories, their suffering, their friendship, their joy and their sorrow. This allowed me to see how common many of our experiences are as women but also how the world is a much different place for other women.

[Please note: I neither support nor endorse this author's personal, problematic views in regards to the trans community. I am solely providing a review of this book as per the agreed upon expectation from Netgalley in exchange for providing a digital ARC.]

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s "Dream Count" is a contemplative novel that captures the emotional turbulence of four Nigerian women navigating life’s crossroads during the isolating backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At its center is Chiamaka, a novelist-turned-travel writer stuck in suburban Maryland, grappling with solitude and revisiting the ruins of past relationships. Interwoven with her story are the lives of Zikora, a tough but vulnerable attorney; Kadiatou, a resilient housekeeper facing an unjust scandal; and Omelogor, a successful financier battling her own regrets. Adichie’s sharp prose and empathetic voice are prominent throughout, offering readers a vivid portrait of women in crisis.

While the narrative delves deeply into themes of identity, resilience, and connection, the plot sometimes feels fragmented, with certain storylines lacking the emotional weight needed to leave a lasting impression. Adichie’s ability to bring nuance to her characters ensures that their struggles and triumphs resonate on a personal level. However, the frequent shifts between perspectives, though intriguing, occasionally disrupt the flow, leaving some characters’ arcs less fully fleshed out.

While "Dream Count" may not reach the towering heights of "Americanah," it still provides moments of insight and poignancy. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories with a focus on introspection will find much to admire, even if the novel doesn’t consistently maintain its narrative momentum. While uneven in execution, it does offer an honest and heartfelt exploration of lives shaped by both external pressures and internal desires.

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a profound and evocative novel that delves into the intricate lives of four Nigerian women, each grappling with their own unique challenges and aspirations. Adichie's storytelling prowess shines through as she weaves a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

The novel centers around Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou, whose lives are intricately intertwined by blood, friendship, and circumstance. Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer living in America, navigates the complexities of love and identity, her journey marked by a poignant reflection on past relationships. Zikora, a successful lawyer, faces the delicate balance of professional success and personal fulfillment, while Omelogor, a fiercely independent woman in the banking industry, confronts the cultural and societal expectations that shape her world. Kadiatou, the housekeeper, embodies the quiet dignity and resilience of immigrant women, her story a powerful commentary on systemic inequality and the quest for justice.

Adichie's prose is both lyrical and incisive, capturing the essence of each character's inner world with remarkable clarity. The pandemic backdrop amplifies the isolation and vulnerability of these women, adding a layer of urgency and relevance to their stories. Through their intertwined narratives, Adichie explores themes of privilege, resilience, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels fragmented and uncertain.

What sets Dream Count apart is Adichie's ability to make the reader feel the weight of every choice these women face. Her observations about identity, ambition, and cultural expectations are not just insightful but transformative, challenging readers to reconsider their own perspectives on these issues. The novel's emotional depth is further enhanced by Adichie's exquisite prose, which is at once devastatingly beautiful and profoundly moving.

Dream Count is more than just a novel; it is an experience that lingers long after the last page is turned. It is a testament to the power of literature to heal, unite, and illuminate the deepest corners of our shared humanity. Adichie's latest work is a gift to readers, a reminder of why we turn to stories in times of both joy and sorrow.

This is undoubtably a 5 star ⭐️ book.

Chimamanda is such an incredible writer and she cleverly woven this story connecting several women who live vastly different lives and have completely different experiences but all show very raw and layered accounts of what it is to be a woman. More specifically, she shows what it’s like to be an African woman.

So many important subjects were discussed and it really made you see the nuance in situations you might have overlooked before or ones that aren’t discussed nearly enough.

This was one of the most impactful books I’ve ever read and I believe everyone should read this. Such an important book.

I don’t want to spoil too much but some topics touched were - sexual assault, covid pandemic, racism, sexism, war, flawed justice system, corruption, fraud, and many more.

This book was sobering, enraging, heartbreaking and affirming.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, Anchor and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for giving me an ARC of this spectacular book!