Centered on the lives and desires of four interlinked Nigerian women, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's latest, Dream Count weaves together their search for meaning in their lives, particularly as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic isolates them.

The book begins and ends with Chiamaka (Chia)'s life. Chia is a professional tourist, born to privilege, but close with her family and friends in her native Nigeria and the US and Europe. Much of her narratives centers on her relationships and their eventual failures. Zikora is Chia's best friend, and works as an attorney, but is about to give birth without the support of her partner, who disappeared when he learned Zikora was pregnant. Kadiatou is Chia's housekeeper, and a widowed mother. She works hard in all her jobs, but her life is disrupted due to a workplace assault that derails everything. Omelogor is the oldest seeming narrator, who is an important figure in Nigerian banking, but struggles with the guilt of her success and constant negation of her due to just her gender and appearance. She also writes a blog full of advice for men, and pursues a degree focused on the effects of pornography on male understanding of sex.

These four stories are separated into five large sections, each centered on one of the individuals, except for Chia who bookends the novel. That separation is not hard, however, as the main characters are in and out of each other's lives throughout the book. We learn of each of their beginnings and journeys to their current place in the world. It is a very reflective book, showing the modern struggle to have both fulfilling family and work lives, none of our narrators seems to succeed in both. Having the four allows greater depth as it is not just focused on the wealthy, Kadiatou's section especially serving as a counter narrative, though the conclusion of her story and the book's is a very surprising way to land the themes.

It's slow to start, I found it preferable when Chiamaka was no longer the narrator, as her story is the least compelling of those included, but by the conclusion that feeling had changed, through others I was able to see a different Chiamaka. Overall I found the Omelogor section the best as her work had the greatest impact on others, and her inner conflict had actually costs. The book is very hetero normative focused in its perception of love, there are a few LGBTQ+ persons but they are supporting characters.

It feels like the story of real people with all their desire, success, failure, in-jokes and shared history. This is where the book truly excels and showcases Adichie's writing.

Recommended to readers of character centered stories or issues in contemporary society.

Very excited to see a new work from this author! Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing for the ARC.
Expected publication date is March 4.
This is the story of 4 strong Nigerian women and their evolving lives together and apart. There are 4 sections - each with one of the women the prime focus.
Overall I love the writing style of this author - straightforward and at the same time incredibly nuanced. She draws me in and really makes me care about her heroines.
2 sections of the book particularly appealed to me. This surprised me a bit- not the ones I expected to prefer.
I found the story of Kadiatou the most powerful. Her hardships and her grace in the face of them were so moving. Her devotion to her daughter inspired me. The climax to her story was disturbing but rang uncomfortably true.
I also enjoyed the story of Chiamaka’s friend Zikora. It felt so poignant and was very well told. She seemed a most graceful heroine to me.
Omelogor was the most baffling character to me. It was interesting to read but not so relatable to me. It did make a good counterpoint to the others.
The character who unites the work Chiamaka was the least interesting to me. While I loved learning about travel writing from a female of color, her tales of her romantic encounters left me a bit tired . At some point I just lost patience with her and her choices. While I applaud the feminist values in the book - this section carried the man bashing over the top for me.
Overall I would highly recommend this book and hope we do not have to wait too long for another from this brilliant author who has so much of value to impart to our world,

This took me a while to get through but I loved reading about these four strong women whose complicated lives are forever enmeshed. There is a large African immigrant population where I live and I know how difficult (impossible) the "American Dream" is but I haven't read any book quite like this. Also how is it possible that the pandemic seems like it was so long ago and yet I can be brought right back there in a moment?
Thank you Knopf publishing and NetGalley for the advance review copy!

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – ★★★½

I admire Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s writing immensely—her prose is sharp, evocative, and deeply insightful. Dream Count is no exception. The novel follows four women, each navigating love, loss, and power in their own way, their lives intertwining across borders and class divides. It’s an ambitious character study with themes that linger long after the final page.

That said, I struggled with this one. I wasn’t in the mood for a pandemic book, and it took me a long time to get into it. While the characters are richly drawn, I found some of their choices frustrating, especially in the first half. At times, the pacing felt slow, and I wished for more momentum in the storytelling. But just when I considered putting it down, Adichie’s masterful writing would pull me back in.

The novel shines most in its exploration of class, gender, and cultural identity, as well as in its stunning prose. While Dream Count wasn’t my favorite of Adichie’s works, I’m still glad I read it—and I suspect it’s a book I’ll think about long after finishing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

She's back! Adichie's first novel in 10 years focuses on four women - Chia, who is the daughter of a wealthy Nigerian businessman, and her friend Zikora, cousin Omelogor, and maid Kadiatou. Each woman has their own section, with Chia bookending the others. Dream Count explores what it means to be a woman, Black, African, and so much more. The prose is masterful and poignant and also at times quite funny. I expect this to have a lot of hype and it's worth it.She's back! Adichie's first novel in 10 years focuses on four women - Chia, who is the daughter of a wealthy Nigerian businessman, and her friend Zikora, cousin Omelogor, and maid Kadiatou. Each woman has their own section, with Chia bookending the others. Dream Count explores what it means to be a woman, Black, African, and so much more. The prose is masterful and poignant and also at times quite funny. I expect this to have a lot of hype and it's worth it.

“Dream Count” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the story of four women. I received an advance reader copy from Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor via Netgalley. Opinions from this review are completely my own.

The book starts and ends with chapters from Chiamaka’s perspective. She is a Nigerian travel writer living in America. She is the daughter of a rich man, so she has the freedom of traveling even without having an assignment. But the covid pandemic afected her work and relationships.

The second perspective is of Zikora, Chiamaka’s best friend, who is a successful corporate lawyer that was betrayed by the man she loved and turns to her mother for help as she is pregnant.

The next chapters are from Kadiatou’s perspective. She is Chiamaka’s housekeeper that came to America to raise her daughter. Her story is sad and is a representation of immigrant women everywhere. Please not a content warning (depiction of SA). Her situation shows the struggles with misogyny and the justice system that can be influenced with money. Still she is strong enough to go through everything.

We also have Omegolor’s story. She is Chiamaka’s cousin and an independent woman working in the banking world in Nigeria. She comes to America for graduate school and we can see the cultural differences through her interactions with her colleagues.

I liked the way Chiamaka was the connection between all the women but they each had their part in the story. This is a beautifully written story with serious and emotional themes. The author’s note at the end give you a glimpse in the background of the stories.

Dream Count was one of my most anticipated books of 2025 and it did not disappoint. A beautifully written book about four interconnected west African women in search of love and happiness . It was hard to put down ; Omelogor’s story was a bit long and lacking in the emotional depth as the stories of the other 3 women but overall an amazing book

4.5 ⭐️

It’s been 12 years since Adichie’s last book Americanah, which I absolutely loved, so I had high expectations going into this one and she did not disappoint. It was an introspective and emotionally resonant story that follows four different women primarily around the time of the pandemic. We were presented with a multifaceted look at what womanhood means and the complexities of relationships, ambition, and love that follow. I liked how the four women’s stories were interconnected and they felt like authentic people with their own flaws and personal issues. I did think it lost a bit of momentum in the last third of the book and I wasn’t as engaged as I was in the beginning, but overall it’s a compelling and relatable story with sharp and insightful writing

Dream Count is a powerful novel that follows the lives of four Nigerian women, both in Nigeria and the U.S., as they navigate personal struggles, culture, and identity. Chiamaka reflects on her life and unfulfilled desires despite her success, while Zikora explores her Catholic faith and longing for motherhood. Kadiatou moves to America for love but faces unexpected hardships, and Omelogor worries about the looming COVID-19 crisis in Nigeria.

The book tackles deep themes like motherhood, cultural expectations, relationships, and the contrast between tradition and modernity. Kadiatou’s story is particularly emotional, depicting difficult experiences with sensitivity and depth. Zikora’s perspective also stands out, offering insight into the global reach of Catholicism and its impact on Nigerian life.

Adichie’s storytelling highlights the diversity of the Nigerian female experience, showing that while these women share cultural ties, their lives and choices are deeply personal and that their experience is far from being a monolith This novel is a thought-provoking read, defined by the lyrical writing style of Adichie. A great choice for anyone interested in the lives of Nigerian women and the complexities of heritage, faith, and identity.

Many thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the arc of this story.

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.