Pride and Joy: A Novel

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Perfect for fans of dark, laugh-out-loud family dramas (Bust magazine), this is a heartwarming and hilarious novel about three generations of a Nigerian Canadian family grappling with their matriarchs sudden passing while their auntie insists that her sister is coming back.

Joy Okafor is overwhelmed. Recently divorced, a life coach whose phone wont stop ringing, and ever the dutiful Nigerian daughter, Joy has planned every aspect of her mothers seventieth birthday weekend on her own.

As the Okafors slowly begin to arrive, Mama Mary goes to take a nap. But when the grandkids go to wake her, they find that she isnt sleeping after all. Refusing to believe that her sister is gone-gone, Auntie Nancy declares that she had a premonition that Mama Mary will rise again like Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

Desperate to believe that theyre about to witness a miracle, the family overhauls their birthday plans to welcome the Nigerian Canadian community, effectively spreading the word that Mama Mary is coming back. But skeptical Joy is struggling with the loss of her mother and not allowing herself to mourn just yet while going through the motions of planning a funeral that her aunt refuses to allow.

Filled with humor and flawed, deeply relatable characters so rich in heritage and complexity that I cant believe these characters do not really exist (Jesse Q. Sutanto, national bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties), Pride and Joy will draw you in as the Okafors prepare for a miracle while coming apart at the seams, praying that they havent actually lost Mama Mary for good, and grappling with what losing her truly means for each of them.

Reviews

"In her adult debut, Onom explores themes of family, grief, and belonging through a uniqueyet instantly recognizablefamily. [...] A refreshing combination of emotional insight and family comedy; ideal for fans of Dial A for Auntiesby Jesse Q. Sutanto and Someday, Maybeby Onyi Nwabineli." * Booklist (starred review) *
"Onom blends humor and pathos in her captivating adult debut. [...] Onoms rich storytelling is enhanced by authentic descriptions of traditional Nigerian music and foods, such as Egosi soup and chin chin, as her characters come together amid great loss. Readers will savor Onoms vibrant portrait of a family." * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *
Onom has created a family so rich in heritage and complexity that I cant believe these characters do not really exist. The love for Nigerian culture clearly shines through the page and I did not want this beautiful book to end. -- Jesse Q. Sutanto, national bestselling author ofDial A for Aunties
Louisa Onoms adult debut, Pride and Joy, is not your average grief story. ... This novel is for fans of dark, laugh-out-loud family dramas. Onoms flawed characters are wonderfully relatable and wildly entertaining. And the books themes of obligation and familial connection will captivate readers just as much as the mystery surrounding Nancys premonition, which sounds so genuine, one cant help but wonder if it might just come true. * BUST Magazine *
"Onoms rich portrayal of Nigerian culture, foods, and traditions provides much-needed grounding, and her skillful handling of the difficulties first-generation children face as they straddle two or more cultures remains ever relevant." * Kirkus *

Author Bio

Louisa Onom is a Nigerian Canadian writer of books for teens and adults, includingLike Home,Twice as Perfect,The Melancholy of Summer, andPride and Joy. She holds a BA in professional writing and a MA in counselling psychology. When she is not writing, she works as a narrative designer in games. She currently resides in the Toronto area. Find out more at LouisaOnome.com.