"I'm one of those writers that … I think I know the story I want to write when I'm going in with a novel … but by the time I get into the middle of it, it's like I've discovered a totally different story."

Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀'s A Spell of Good Things explores class, love, and family ties with interwoven narratives of struggle, heartbreak and hope in Nigeria. She joins us to talk about her cast of unforgettable characters, how misogyny permeates life and literature, what surprised her while writing this novel, her literary influences and more with Poured Over host, Miwa Messer. Listen after the episode for a TBR Topoff from Marc and Jamie.

Featured Books (Episode):

A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ

Stay with Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ

Everything Good Will Come by Sefi Atta

Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

What It Means when a Man Falls from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

Featured Books (TBR Topoff):

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

Black Sunday by Tola Rotimi Abraham

Poured Over is produced and hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays with occasional Saturdays here and on your favorite podcast app.