New Adichie novel Dream Count”: Four women, one fate!

New Adichie novel Dream Count”: Four women, one fate!

On May 24, 2025 the time has finally come: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie publishes her new novel entitled “Dream Count”. This publication marks the renowned author's first literary work since her acclaimed bestseller Americanah, which hit shelves ten years ago. In “Dream Count” she tells the moving stories of four women whose lives are connected across continents.

The protagonists of the novel are complex and carry beliefs that shape both their personal and social lives. Chiamaka, the Nigerian travel writer, lives between Lagos and New York and struggles with the lies she has admitted to herself. She reflects on her past relationships and what she regrets.

Characters and their challenges

An important figure at Chiamaka's side is Zikora, her best friend and successful lawyer in Washington. Zikora faces a betrayal and rethinks her relationship with her mother, especially in light of her newfound role as a mother. Her feelings and loss hurt her deeply, causing her to seek help from the person she least expected.

Omelogor, a brave and open cousin of Chiamaka, also brings a breath of fresh air into the story. She begins her studies and advocates for the empowerment of women in Nigeria, while simultaneously questioning her own self-knowledge. Finally, there is Kadiatou, Chiamaka's housekeeper. As a single mother, she faces an oppressive system after suffering an assault while working at a hotel. Her achievements are threatened, but she is proudly raising her daughter in America.

Themes of the novel

“Dream Count” addresses significant themes such as female empowerment, social and emotional inequalities. Adichie's unique narrative style, characterized by intense play with looks, gestures and subordinate clauses, ensures an emotional urgency and conveys unflinching observations of the human heart. The novel explores the question of what true happiness means and reflects on the decisions we make and those that are made for us.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and dynamic writers of our time. Your readers can look forward to powerful and beautiful language that is unparalleled in the literary landscape. The author illuminates the profound relationships between daughters and mothers, creating rich context for the four interconnected life stories in Dream Count.

For more information on Adichie's work, visit elle.de or the official Adichie site chimamanda.com.