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Zikora  By  cover art

Zikora

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Narrated by: Adepero Oduye
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Publisher's summary

The emotional storms weathered by a mother and daughter yield a profound new understanding in a moving short story by the best-selling, award-winning author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists.

When Zikora, a DC lawyer from Nigeria, tells her equally high-powered lover that she’s pregnant, he abandons her. But it’s Zikora’s demanding, self-possessed mother, in town for the birth, who makes Zikora feel like a lonely little girl all over again. Stunned by the speed with which her ideal life fell apart, she turns to reflecting on her mother’s painful past and struggle for dignity. Preparing for motherhood, Zikora begins to see more clearly what her own mother wants for her, for her new baby, and for herself.

©2020 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Critic reviews

“The actor Adepero Oduye as narrator shifts seamlessly between characters, and I hung onto her every word.” (The New York Times)

“The multitalented actress, director, singer, and writer Adepero Oduye provides an outstanding Nigerian-accented narration, charting Zikora's thoughts and feelings surrounding her failed relationship, her attempts to navigate new motherhood as a professional woman, and her developing understanding of her own mother's challenging relationship with Zikora's father in Nigeria.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“[Adichie] is delivering brand-new material to a world that needs her talents more than ever.” (Entertainment Weekly)

Featured Article: The Best Short Story Audiobooks to Immerse Yourself In Now


Short stories have had a huge impact on the canon of great literature. In fact, some of history's most revered novelists—Ernest Hemingway, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Louisa May Alcott among them—wrote short stories, which make excellent introductions to their work. Plus, these bite-size listens are the perfect way to get a big dose of literary inspiration even when you’re short on time. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of listens.

What listeners say about Zikora

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Moving Story

I'm in awe of the completeness of this short story. I felt like I knew everything about Zikora's current situation and her innermost thoughts. I just wanted to know what happens next!

I loved the narration of this book! The narrator Adepero Oduye makes you feel like you are sitting down with your Nigerian girlfriend, Zikora, as she tells you about her pregnancy and relationship with Kwame. Oduye imparted a sense of intimacy as she tells of Zikora's unsuccessful relationship and challenges with motherhood. The narrator also makes seamless switches between the Nigerian accent and an American one to differentiate the characters.

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I felt for her.

Finely crafted and finely performed. The story immediately drew me in, as I would expect from the author, and the narrator made me emphasize with the protagonist.

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Wonderful story and performance

Thank you Ade for a great performance really brought book to life Ann’s as usual Ms Chimamanda you wrote a wonderful story. Absolutely loved it. I want more now

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loved it!!!

perfection! perfectly narrated. well written, well read! I highly recommend this book. you will not be disappointed. ❤❤❤

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I did not want it to end

I just have one question, is there a part 2 on the way?? please tell me?

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Great Read

I really enjoyed the story and it left me wanting the rest of the story.

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Short and straight to the point!!

Wow!! I wasn't sure what to expect!! Sad, but it kept my interest. When I state it was sad for me, I say that as a result of how things unraveled for Zikora spoilers here!! I enjoyed this short story.

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Wonderful!!!

LOVED this short story and narration! A very real and poignant look at life, pregnancy, relationships and culture!

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Left Wanting More

The story was very well written. I am a fan of Adichie. But I was left wanting more. Great listen. Great story. Worth a listen.

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  • Overall
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Lonely and beautiful

This is a poignant mother/daughter relationship showing both in a moment of gender loneliness and awareness.

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