An achingly beautiful story of four interwoven women who share stories of feminism, motherhood, fulfillment, love, family, and race. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s skill shines brightly throughout the novel.

The Afterword is particularly excellent.

“What is it to attempt to fictionally humanize a person? "Humanize." Of course she is human. It is rather to create a character as rumination on what this often-quoted notion of humanizing means. As an idea it is solemn, serious, somber. But as experience it is messy and unformed, laughter and pain, cowardice and bravery, it is how we let ourselves and others down, how we emerge or don't from our failings, how we are petty, how we try to overcome and strive to improve, how we seethe in our self-pity, how we fail, how we hold on tenaciously to hope. There is grandeur to our humanity, but to be human day to day is not, and should not be, an endless procession of virtue. A victim need not be perfect to be deserving of justice.”

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

A story about four women, connected by family and friendship, and the longings, desires, and challenges of their lives. There is a large focus on love in particular, with some absolutely painful relationship dynamics that were tough to read at times, especially in these otherwise strong women. The book takes place in both America and Nigeria, and as usual Adichie's writing is strong. The different sections on each woman feel more like loosely linked novellas, which was fine but not what I was originally expecting or hoping for. I was much more interested in each woman's family relationships than I was in their romantic ones. Overall, a strong novel but not my favorite of Adichie's. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for a digital review copy.

Dream Count follows four African women (Chiamaka, Zikora, Kadiatou, and Omelogor). The story centers around Chiamaka as she recalls her previous relationships and choices during the pandemic. It also follows the perspective of Zikora (Chiamaka's cousin who experiences a devasting heartbreak), Kadiatou (Chiamaka's housekeeper who faces a difficult hardship), and Omelogor (Chiamaka's outspoken cousin).

I may be in the minority, but I did not love this book as much as I thought I would. The book started SO strong. Instead of alternating POV chapters, each character's story is told almost in a novella format. I didn't mind this structure, but each "novella" read like individual stories and didn't really intersect with each other, except for Kadiatou's story. Also, Kadiatou was the only character who had a true ending to her journey. The story of the other three characters tapered off at the end.

I liked that the theme of this book was self-reflection. I enjoyed Chaimaka's introductory story the most, while Kaidtou's was the most heartbreaking.

This was the first book I've read by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and I'm not sure if this was the best introduction to her work. The writing style was beautiful, so I'm definitely willing to read some of her older books. I recommend reading this if you enjoy:

- Books that have African perspectives
-Character-driven stories
-Multiple POVs

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

There were several things i enjoyed about the book...the harsh reality that are some of their stories, the depictions of life in various African countries, the realities of dating Black women in America. But I found the book to be overly long and with too many similar stories among the women. While i liked the structure, I never felt that it pulled the characters together in a cohesive way. As an example, the character of Omeligor was interesting and it mentions that she is going to therapy but there is no "self-awareness" that comes from that therapy. For a relatively long book, most of the character's stories seemed unfinished.

If you have not read this author, I would suggest you go back to Americanah.

I really liked this book and how it built on each woman's life and how they interconnected, but I did find it challenging when the perspectives switched to get back into each story. Also each story was non-linear and kept skipping around over the course of each POV which also made it a bit hard to follow at times.

Set during Covid times, this book follows four strong women. It is reflective and poignant while highlighting the emotional consequences of the choices we make. Adichie's uncanny ability to beautifully capture pain was a highlight throughout the novel.

Early on, I felt fairly certain this would be one of my favorite books of all time. I wanted to just read the book for the rest of my life. Its split up into four very different perspectives, but the voice of Chia to me was the most engaging and powerful. I found Kadiatou's story pretty depressing. I don't know I guess I was liking the direction of the book going toward self reflection of past relationships and the rumination on those failures, the question of why exactly we end up here, current day. I think that this was a powerful and very relatable theme, the very human aspect of this reflection while enduring the uncertainty of the pandemic. The writing was beautiful and quotable and lovely.

To realize that Kadiatou's story is based loosely on true events is even more upsetting, but of course completely believable and infuriating. But I am exhausted with everyday infuriation. This book simply put me over the edge. Maybe this is why I placed the star rating lower and left me feeling glad to be done with it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie knows how to write about women. I discovered this by reading her "Americanah" many years ago and was surprised by how beautiful and insightful the author's view of women was. What great news is that after a 10-year break from fiction, one of my favorite authors is back with a new novel, "Dream Count." "Dream Count" is about the lives of four Nigerian women and takes place partially in Nigeria and partially in the US. Knowing that I may sound shallow, it reminded me of the almost legendary now original TV series "Sex and the City." However, "Dream Count" is, of course, much deeper, more elevated, and simply a literary gem. It's also highly entertaining, touching, and a joy to read.

Chiamaka, the main character, is a young woman and travel writer from a wealthy family who doesn't have to worry about money. She's a dreamer in search of true love, and as a beautiful, intelligent woman, she draws the attention of many men, yet no one understands her completely - and some of her choices in men are simply awful! Chia's best friend is Zikora, a successful lawyer, who worries that she's still unmarried and childless at thirty-one, a disappointment to her family.  Another woman, Omelogor, is a financial wizard, and eventually, she uses the traditionally male world of Nigerian finance to help people, almost like the Robin Hood character. She is also the most outspoken of all four women and intimidating to men; however, she also attracts them because of her self-assurance. Then there is Kadiatou, who immigrated to the US to give her daughter a better future. She is Chiamaka's housekeeper and a great cook, working two jobs. Her life dramatically changes in just one day, and it's the most heartbreaking story of the injustice to read about in "Dream Count."

The novel is written in chapters, each devoted to one woman and showing her perspective while interweaving with other women's stories. I love this format: it was clear and allowed me to explore one character at a time. I noticed that one chapter of this book was published in the recent issue of New Yorker magazine, celebrating its 100th anniversary, proving that it could be read as a separate piece, a teaser to reach for the novel.

"Dream Count" is an extraordinary book about women, about life and love, that can be discovered on many levels: the relationships between women and men, parents and children, the immigrant issues of fitting in while preserving one's own culture, and the pretense of being tolerant while not able to see the deeper problems. And, as I mentioned, it's just such a good read—the kind of novel you want to read one more page!

This book is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that explores love, loss, and the weight of choices through the lives of four remarkable women. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has this rare gift of making characters feel so real, so lived-in, that I found myself deeply invested in Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou. Each of these women is wrestling with love, loss, and the weight of their choices, and I saw pieces of myself in their struggles, their regrets, and their quiet hopes.

I especially connected with the way the novel explored female friendships and mother-daughter relationships. The tension between love and expectation, the way we hurt the people closest to us without meaning to—it all felt painfully authentic. And as always, Adichie’s writing is both beautiful and razor-sharp.

The only reason I’m giving this four stars instead of five is that some storylines wrapped up a little too quickly for me—I wanted more time to sit with certain moments. But even so, this book stayed with me long after I turned the last page. It’s a story about love in all its messy, complicated forms, and it’s one I won’t forget anytime soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received this book because I moderate for BookBrowse.com's book club, and this book will be the focus of an upcoming discussion. Because of that, I haven't written my usual 600+ word review, since my employer hasn't paid me to review the novel.

... And I have to say I'm grateful that I didn't pick this as a review book. It was such as disappointment! I've loved this author's other work, and I was shocked at how much I hated this one. It may be my age and temperament, but seeing these young, talented women obsess over men and having children just seemed so silly. Or perhaps I couldn't get into it for cultural reasons; my family never made husband/children a priority. And it made me angry that they kept choosing such awful men.

The only part of the book I thought was worthwhile was Kadiatou's story, but even there, after her chapter ended the rest of her story wasn't well-developed.

Sorry, but I haven't disliked a book this much in a long time.

I have always enjoyed/admired Adichie's writing, and this book is no exception. Dream Count focuses on the stories of multiple women navigating the difficulties of life, love, and trauma. While there were moments in the story that I could not relate/connect to, I still found value in reading the women's stories. Some story elements may be triggering, but I highly recommend others read this book.

There is no question that Chimamanda is a beautiful writer. We follow 4 women who struggle with many things including relationships, trauma, cultural identity, and their own desires. Unfortunately some of the characters storylines I had a hard time connecting with since it was just a lot of choosing bad men and then repeat. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the format. I felt there was so much more that could have been explored and woven together instead of the multiple povs. Just be warned that Kadi's chapter is absolutely gut wrenching and I encourage everyone to look up trigger warnings before proceeding.

I really enjoyed this novel and it's split focus on the many women navigating the twists and turns of life set in both Nigeria to America. We explore their unique struggles as well as the foundational needs and yearnings of all women. The writing is beautiful, almost lyrical, yet easy to follow. I loved this read - recommend!

ARC Review: Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Rating: 4.75 stars

I’m really torn between 4.5 and 5 stars, but ultimately I’ve settled on 4.75 because this book still left a powerful impact. There were moments where I felt some fatigue due to the dense information and slower parts of the narrative, and I needed to take breaks. However, that didn’t take away from the overall emotional weight of the story.

This book focuses on the interlinked desires and experiences of four women during the pandemic, but many of the events in their lives are reflections from before. The author beautifully weaves together their personal struggles, desires, and regrets, especially through the character of Chiamaka, or Chia, a travel writer who is forced into isolation and spends much of the pandemic reflecting on past relationships.

Kadiatou’s story resonated deeply with me, particularly the tragic events and the complex sibling dynamic. Trigger warning for FGM and sexual assault—these events are important to the narrative, and I urge readers to pay attention to the author’s note at the end of the book to fully appreciate the depth and significance of what’s shared, especially in one of the character’s storylines.

Zikora’s journey also had me reflecting on the complexities of relationships and personal growth, from her past with Kwame to her struggles with time-wasting men.

Omelogor, with her ambitious and determined nature, added another layer to the story. Her pursuit of independence and personal freedom, even through unconventional means, kept me engaged. Both characters provided rich, thought-provoking perspectives on love, ambition, and self-worth.

While the pacing slowed in some parts due to the information-heavy narrative, the book is filled with raw honesty and explores cultural stereotypes, gender expectations, and the complexities of relationships. The slower moments and dense sections did test my patience, but the emotional payoff was absolutely worth it, and the characters lingered with me long after finishing the book.

Adichie’s ability to interweave historical, cultural, and political context into the lives of her characters is masterful. Dream Count is a book that asks you to slow down, reflect, and take in the depth of the stories shared. It’s long, it’s heavy at times, but it’s also profoundly enriching. I can’t wait for readers to experience it when it releases in March.

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

This is my first book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie but it certainly won’t be my last. So beautifully written. I felt like I got to know Chia, Kadi, Omelogor, and Zikor on a personal level. They were real, honest, likable, and relatable. Although the book follows the story of Nigerian immigrants, I do believe any woman will be able to relate to the story and the characters. We are all connected in our humanity and I think that is one of the main gifts this book shows the reader.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie follows the interconnected lives of four women navigating love, identity, and self-discovery. The novel explores their personal struggles, relationships, and dreams, set against a backdrop where the pandemic subtly influences their lives. The central character, Chia, a Nigerian travel writer, reflects humorously on her past relationships, which she terms her "dream count." The other women—Zikora, Omegolor, and Kadiatou—each have their own compelling storylines that address themes like family, career, and cultural identity. Adichie’s nuanced exploration of human desires, immigrant struggles, and the quest for empowerment is insightful, and the book ends with a poignant reflection on grief and identity. It’s a lyrical, memorable exploration of womanhood and personal growth, with a satisfying and authentic conclusion.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Such such beautiful writing. Each story was so profound and heartbreaking. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie somehow broke every piece of my heart and then put it all back together again.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC copy. Adichie's writing is like poetry. 4.5 stars just for her lyrical style. The book deals with 4 strong and different female characters. I enjoyed reading their stories but kept waiting for something to bind them together other than their terrible relationships. Trigger warning; Sexual Assault, which came out of nowhere. However, the emotions of a Limited English Proficient (LEP) survivor and the anguish of working with a non trauma informed legal team and interpreters leapt clear through the pages. Over all 3.5 stars. I say read the book and make up your own mind :)

Thank you Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was amazing, but it was a tough read. I wish I had read any trigger warnings before I jumped feet first into this book because it was... tough. There were multiple themes I was not prepared for, and I needed to take many breaks as I pushed through this book.

The writing was astounding and beautiful - Adichie is able to verbalize and communicate so many feelings and put into words in a way most people could never. I really appreciated this important read.

Thank you again for the ARC!

Chimamanda writes unlike anything I’ve read before. Such beautiful, unique prose. I had to take my time with this one, but it was a top read of the year so far.