With Eyes Wide Open is a fictional novel by author Erick B. Gichuru. It’s centred around the life of Natela, the daughter of a clergyman who finds herself in an unexpected series of events after straying from her strict, religious upbringing. The author describes the novel as a raw African account of losing innocence, self-discovery, and the madness that lies in between.
He starts the book on a rather chaotic note. Natela shows up at home with a visible pregnancy belly. Her father is in disbelief about the news. He calls her mother who was at their church to come back home without telling her why. She returns to find an unexpected guest – her daughter. However, her visit is not a happy one as is evident from the ambience in the room. Her mother goes to embrace Natela who reluctantly stands up. Then, she notices the pregnancy. Kanja, Natela’s mother, is filled with anger and rain blows on her daughter while insulting her. To save herself and her unborn child, Natela runs away from home.
Despite the harsh judgment her mother had shown her, her family wasn’t that perfect. Her father, Wasike, met her mother after he moved to Kanja’s village and was housed by her neighbour as the church looked for a different accommodation. The minute he saw her, he fell in love. However, he reminded himself it was a sin to have such feelings as a clergyman. She was also involved with an MP’s son who didn’t hesitate to eliminate his “enemies”. Things work out and they eventually got married. The couple faced challenges in getting children but after 6 years of trying, they were blessed with their first bundle of joy who they named Joy Natela.
Her parents are overprotective of her. However, Natela isn’t the good girl they wanted her to be. She sneaks out of the house at night, hangs out with the wrong crowds, and eventually gets pregnant.
From then, Natela faces the challenge of raising her child as a single mother without a stable source of income. We see the lengths she will go to survive and take care of herself. Though fictional, With Eyes Wide Open revolves around themes that are too familiar in the real world. An overly religious family, a forbidden love, a rebellious daughter, single mothers, and sugar daddies are part and parcel of today’s society.
The book offers insight into what many families go through today. The way the characters are so flawed, including the parents, will leave you reflecting on your own experiences with your family and loved ones while sympathizing with the characters’ predicaments.
The author isn’t shy to get into descriptive details that make you feel the characters’ emotions as if they were happening to you. This also makes the book feel so relatable and realistic. From the first chapter to the last, the book is filled with unfiltered conversations and raw emotions that bring the story to life. The author captures the themes vividly which makes With Eyes Wide Open an enjoyable book to read with a couple of life lessons to take from it.
I recommend reading this book. Once you start, you’ll anticipate what happens next but you won’t put it down until you’re done. With Eyes Wide Open by Erick B. Gichuru is available on order here. You can also find the author on Twitter @ericBgichuru
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