We Were Girls Once

A deft exploration of the many layers of oppression and separation present in our world, that manages to retain breathing space and an invitation to keep reading. Reading it made me think of the somatic practice of “penduluming” where you find a place of safety in your body that you can return to when you feel overwhelmed by pain and trauma. The safe place in this case is the powerful presence of female friendship – those people who do your hair, and know your shame, who recognise your girlhood self and who you can phone in a moment of heartbreak. The friendship between the three Nigerian women is what returns them home, returns them back to a sense of self, back to dignity. This is an exceptional read – nuanced, courageous and honest, weaving together the political and the personal. You will feel invited into the friendship circle, along for the ride of rage, heartbreak, loss, despair – and love and redemption.