Today, I bring you something fresh and unique on the wings of the World Wide Web. A virtual Book Tour by a Nigerian writer, Ifesinachi Okoli-Okpagu on her debut novel, The Domestication of Munachi. This is a great way to stay abreast of emerging Nigerian literature without the limitation of physical space. You will listen to some readings from her contemporary literary novel and she will be available to answer your questions. Are you a budding writer or a literary enthusiast who has some questions on composition, character development and feeding the creative muse? Ifesinachi Okoli-Okapagu will be available to interact with you on such matters.
In a society, where females are on a tight leash to marry ‘by force and by fire’, Ifesinachi’s The Domestication of Munachi captures the pressures on the girl-child with great mastery. For those, who haven’t read the book, a summary is provided below.
Here we go:
Synopsis
On a hot Sunday afternoon years ago…
…Two sisters walk in on their father’s sexual liaison with the family’s hired help which leaves them both scarred in different ways.
Years later…
Unable to bear the thought of marriage to a man she barely knows, the younger and more adventurous one, Munachi, runs away from home on the eve of her traditional marriage, unwittingly resurrecting a long buried feud between her religious mother and eccentric aunty. This conflict leaves a door open for the family’s destruction.
The Domestication of Munachi (DOM) is a novel about the unnecessary pressure on women to take on life partners, regardless of who these partners are and the psychological impacts seen through the stories of two sets of sisters—Munachi and Nkechi versus Chimuanya and Elizabeth.
Ifesinachi talks about her novel:
What Themes are Most Explored in DOM?
Author’s Response:
The three main themes that stand out are- One, the untoward pressure on young women to marry young regardless of their physical and psychological readiness. Two, physical abuse of women, especially married women and the society’s penchant to suddenly become blind to this until an irreversible damage is caused. Three, the deception of religion in our society today.
There are, of course, other sub themes such as family, the relationship between mother and child, adultery, long distance marriage, and so on.
Who is your Favourite Character?
Author’s Response: Hmm… Despite Munachi’s eccentricities, I do love her. She could easily be my younger sister; the kind that can be so annoying. I think she would be my favourite.
For some reason I also like Aunty Ngo. She featured on few occasions, but every appearance came with drama and a reveal of a slice of the life she is struggling so hard to manage. Then again I chuckled throughout writing her bits.
Listen to Ifesinachi reading from Page 87 of her novel:
Read the text here
Listen to Ifesinachi reading from Page 125 of her novel:
Read the text here
About Ifesinachi
Aside wishing she could travel more often and she could stop answering questions nobody ever asks, Ifesinachi is a creative mom with the superhuman abilities to get bored when she’s working on a single project at a time. The Domestication of Munachi is her first novel.
In her regular life, Ifesinachi .O. Okpagu is a Lagos based marketing communications executive with over seven years’ experience, including being an Associate Producer of a pan-African TV show and heading the marketing communications team of an insurance company. She also serves as the chief custodian of the Lexiton brand with intellectual property in the media and entertainment industry. Her first book, a novella, was published when she was fourteen and was adopted as a secondary school recommended text in Delta and Ebonyi states.
She was educated at Queens College, Lagos, and at the University of Benin where she obtained a B.A in Fine and Applied Arts. Ifesinachi also holds a Masters degree from the Pan-African University where she graduated top of her class. She has written several stories, some of which have been published in Sentinel Nigeria, the African Roar Anthology and Saraba Magazine.
She has written/produced several screenplays for the big screen and for television.
You can’t wait to read the novel?
Click HERE, to buy if you’re in West Africa or HERE, if you’re in East Africa
Leave your questions in the comments’ section below and she will answer them. The Book Tour continues tomorrow at Bookshy and AFREADA.
ifeywrites 
Hello Ifesinachi,
How did you come up with this title? It’s quite catchy, I must say. Plus it sticks.
Again, you had lots of humorous moments in your book. Do you consciously try for humour? Or do you spontaneously come up with them?
Thanks Ifeoluwa. I’m happy to be Interacting with the author on your awesome blog.
Hi Chioma,
Thanks for being here and the compliments.
I had two titles…my publishers went for the weirder one (go figure!)
Second question: I loooooove writing humour lines. They come to me naturally, especially when I have the character all figured out in my head. Plus I observe people a lot; the way they talk, mannerism, silence, body language…so it’s easy for me to collapse all these into my humour lines.
Thanks again!
Hello Ife,
I can’t wait to read this book. I’ve followed the tour from first to today’s stop, bit due to light issues, ie uncharged electronics and dependability on Wi-Fi, I’ve not been able to comment, so I’m glad I am today.
Three questions: what event, if any, inspired you to write this novel? For the time I’ve been in Nigeria, I’ve been witness to few instances of domestic violence (transporting before me not to me), and I see that this as a battle / topic that should be at the forefront of issues we’re tackling.
Do you see poverty as the catalyst behind domestic violence and gender inequality?
And finally, did you ever want to just drop the book and say sionara to the project? I mean, how did you see this magnam opus of yours to completion, especially with motherhood responsibilities?
Thank you for reading the comment, and cheers,
Chi-Chi Ayalogu
Ugh auto correct should just die. – few corrections
* but not bit
*Transpiring not transporting
Hello Chichi.
Thank you so much for being here and following the tour.
Regarding your (heavy) questions…(*and I am smiling as I type this*), let me attempt to answer:
First, I was influenced by stories and people around me who have been involved in some form of domestic violence; no particular event stands out. Another influence was the way the authorities seemed to treat such policies and issues; like it was one big joke! Domestic violence is prevalent worldwide. However, in some countries, the law does not protect the weak, or is not enforced enough to protect the weak, so the relevant authorities just allow such cases slide by. Like in Nigeria.
There is also the cultural bit of things…the way we think, etc.
Poverty is not the sole catalyst of domestic violence. It is only an element in some cases, especially in cases where money is either lacking or ‘too much’. I have heard of many cases where the wealthy and comfortable battle with this.
As for gender inequality, that is a loooooong discussion for another day. However, I believe strongly that culture, social well being and upbringing have a lot of influence in cases of domestic violence and gender inequality.
To your final question, yes, yes, yes!
Many times, I wanted to drop the manuscript. I started writing when my first was about a year old, so juggling a baby and writing, well…you get the point. However, I kept urging myself to stay focused on the finishing line. That is where people win medals. The finishing line. I had to discipline myself to cross that line. So glad I did.
Whew…this is my longest reply ever!
Thanks again, Chichi. Please ask more…