Mermaid in the Shadows

The novel opens with a haunting prologue: Monife, likened to a mermaid, wades into the cold, dark waters of Elegushi beach at night. The beach, usually vibrant, is now desolate and foreboding. Monife's thoughts swirl with pain, betrayal, and the weight of her family's history. She is determined not to let her last thoughts be of the man who broke her heart—Golden Boy. Instead, she surrenders herself to the sea, her tears indistinguishable from the waves. The narrative sets the tone for a story where myth, trauma, and the supernatural intertwine, foreshadowing the generational curse that haunts the Falodun women and the tragic consequences of love and loss.

Graves, Ghosts, and Grief

Monife's funeral is a jarring contrast of sunlit weather and internal darkness. Ebun, her cousin, is pregnant and emotionally raw, feeling the wrongness of the world's indifference. The family's grief is compounded by the removal of Monife's photos from the house, as her mother, Bunmi, tries to erase her memory to prevent her spirit from lingering. Ebun's anger and sorrow are palpable, culminating in her water breaking prematurely. The chapter explores the ways families process loss—through denial, ritual, and superstition—while hinting at the unresolved tensions and secrets that will shape the lives of the living.

The Curse Unveiled

The Falodun family curse is introduced through stories passed down generations. Feranmi, the beautiful matriarch, is cursed by her husband's first wife: her daughters and their daughters will suffer in love, never able to keep a man. This curse becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, shaping the destinies of the women who follow. Monife and Ebun, as children, debate the reality of curses, but the narrative suggests that belief itself is powerful. The curse is not just a supernatural threat but a psychological inheritance, influencing choices, relationships, and self-worth across time.

Sisters, Secrets, and Sorrows

Ebun's childhood is transformed by the arrival of her cousins, Monife and Tolu, after their father abandons them. Monife becomes a beacon of light for Ebun, teaching her about beauty, self-love, and the complexities of womanhood. Yet, Monife's own struggles with depression and the family curse create cycles of closeness and distance. The women in the family—mothers, aunts, grandmothers—are both sources of support and pain, their relationships marked by love, rivalry, and the ever-present shadow of the curse. The chapter delves into the ways women inherit not just trauma but also resilience and hope.

Love's Golden Illusion

Monife's romance with Kalu, the "Golden Boy," is passionate and transformative. He is everything she dreams of—kind, talented, and loving. Yet, their relationship is fraught with obstacles: cultural differences, family expectations, and the interference of Kalu's mother, who prefers another woman, Amara, for her son. The curse manifests as jealousy, insecurity, and the fear of abandonment. Monife's attempts to secure Kalu's love—resorting even to juju—backfire, leading to heartbreak. The chapter explores how love, when entangled with generational trauma, can become both salvation and destruction.

Mothers and Daughters

Motherhood is depicted as both a blessing and a burden. Ebun's experience as a new mother is fraught with exhaustion, self-doubt, and the intrusive help of her aunt Bunmi, who sees Ebun's daughter, Eniiyi, as a reincarnation of Monife. The rituals of naming, feeding, and protecting the child are steeped in tradition and superstition. The mothers in the story—Kemi, Bunmi, and later Ebun herself—struggle with their own desires, regrets, and the need to shield their daughters from the curse. The chapter highlights the complexities of maternal love, especially when shaped by loss and longing.

The Weight of Inheritance

As Eniiyi grows, she becomes the spitting image of Monife, both in appearance and temperament. The family's inability to let go of the past burdens her with expectations and fears. Sleepwalking, recurring dreams, and the constant comparison to her dead aunt make it difficult for Eniiyi to forge her own identity. The house itself, filled with memories and secrets, becomes a character—its corridors echoing with the voices of the dead. The chapter examines how inheritance is not just material but emotional and psychological, shaping destinies in ways both subtle and profound.

Forbidden Waters

Water is a recurring motif, symbolizing both danger and transformation. Eniiyi, now a young woman, saves a stranger, Zubby, from drowning at Elegushi beach—a place haunted by Monife's death. This act of bravery connects her to Zubby and sets in motion a new love story, but it also reawakens the family's fears about the curse and the dangers of the sea. The chapter explores the tension between fate and free will, as Eniiyi struggles to determine whether she is living her own life or repeating Monife's tragic path.

Reincarnation's Mirror

The question of reincarnation haunts Eniiyi. Is she Monife reborn, or her own person? The family's obsession with the past, combined with physical similarities and shared experiences, blurs the line between self and ancestor. Eniiyi's relationship with Zubby is tested by these uncertainties, as well as by the revelation that Zubby is the son of Golden Boy, Monife's lost love. The past and present collide, forcing Eniiyi to confront the possibility that her life is not her own. The chapter is a meditation on identity, agency, and the struggle to break free from inherited narratives.

Betrayal and Breaking Points

The novel's emotional climax is marked by betrayals—romantic, familial, and personal. Monife's affair with the now-married Kalu leads to heartbreak, pregnancy, and ultimately, abortion. Ebun, too, faces the consequences of secrecy and shame, as her own pregnancy and choices are scrutinized by the family. The silence surrounding Monife's death—her suicide—becomes a source of pain for the next generation. The chapter exposes the destructive power of secrets and the ways in which silence can perpetuate suffering across generations.

The Living and the Dead

The boundary between the living and the dead is porous in the Falodun household. Monife's presence lingers in dreams, memories, and the very walls of the house. Eniiyi's sleepwalking and visions suggest that the past is never truly gone. The family's rituals—funerals, naming ceremonies, and even exorcisms—are attempts to lay ghosts to rest, but true peace remains elusive. The chapter explores the necessity of mourning, the dangers of denial, and the possibility of healing through acknowledgment and remembrance.

Unraveling the Past

As the story nears its end, long-buried secrets come to light. Eniiyi discovers the truth about her parentage, her mother's sacrifices, and the real circumstances of Monife's death. The confrontation with Zubby's family—especially his mother, Amara, who was once Monife's rival—forces all parties to reckon with the consequences of past actions. The curse, once seen as supernatural, is revealed to be a complex web of trauma, choices, and societal pressures. The chapter is a reckoning, offering both catharsis and the possibility of forgiveness.

The Price of Silence

The aftermath of revelation is marked by grief and regret. The deaths of family members, the dissolution of relationships, and the realization of missed opportunities weigh heavily on the survivors. Ebun's confession about her own choices, Tolu's guilt over Monife's fate, and Golden Boy's belated apology all underscore the high price of silence. Yet, in the midst of sorrow, there is also a sense of release—a recognition that the only way forward is through honesty and vulnerability.

Drowning and Deliverance

The final chapters see Eniiyi making a conscious choice to break the cycle. She confronts her mother, faces her fears, and symbolically buries the tokens of her past. The curse, once a monstrous presence, is finally wrestled into submission—not through magic, but through self-knowledge and the refusal to be defined by others' stories. Eniiyi's decision to leave Nigeria for a new life abroad is both an escape and an act of self-assertion. The chapter is a testament to the power of agency and the possibility of redemption.

The Next Generation

As the family scatters—some to new marriages, others to new countries—the old house is left to its ghosts. The deaths of elders, the birth of new relationships, and the promise of future reunions suggest that while the past can never be erased, it need not dictate the future. Eniiyi's journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and hope. The chapter ends with the possibility of love rekindled, as she glimpses Zubby years later, hinting at the enduring power of connection.

Letting Go, Moving On

The epilogue is both literal and symbolic: Eniiyi, now free from the curse, soars above the ocean, leaving behind the shadows that once defined her. The curse, personified as a beast, is finally defeated—not by denial, but by confrontation and acceptance. The story closes with a sense of peace, as the protagonist claims her own destiny, untethered from the ghosts of the past.

Epilogue: The Curse Broken

In the final moments, the narrative returns to the image of the mermaid—no longer a victim, but a conqueror. The curse is dead, and the next generation is free to write their own stories. The novel ends with a sense of hope, possibility, and the enduring strength of women who refuse to be defined by the tragedies of those who came before.

Characters

Monife Falodun

Monife is the emotional and spiritual center of the novel—a vibrant, passionate woman whose life is shaped by the Falodun family curse. Her relationships are intense, especially with her cousin Ebun and her lover Kalu ("Golden Boy"). Monife's struggle with depression, her longing for love, and her ultimate suicide are the tragic consequences of generational trauma and societal expectations. She is both a victim and a fighter, her presence lingering long after her death. Monife's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of internalizing others' narratives, but also a testament to the enduring power of love and memory.

Ebun Falodun

Ebun is Monife's cousin and, later, the mother of Eniiyi. She is practical, guarded, and often at odds with the emotional turbulence of her family. Ebun's journey is one of self-discovery and reconciliation—with her own desires, her daughter, and the legacy of the curse. Her choices—especially regarding motherhood, secrecy, and sacrifice—are shaped by fear and love in equal measure. Ebun's relationship with her daughter is fraught but ultimately redemptive, as she learns to let go and allow the next generation to forge their own path.

Eniiyi

Eniiyi is the daughter of Ebun and the living mirror of Monife. Her life is a constant negotiation between inherited identity and personal agency. Plagued by dreams, sleepwalking, and the expectations of her family, Eniiyi struggles to define herself outside the shadow of her dead aunt. Her romance with Zubby, the son of Golden Boy, is both a repetition and a rewriting of the past. Eniiyi's journey is one of emancipation—she must confront the curse, claim her own story, and ultimately choose freedom over fate.

Kalu "Golden Boy" Kenosi

Kalu is Monife's great love—a talented, kind, and beautiful man whose life is complicated by family expectations and cultural divisions. His inability to fully commit to Monife, his marriage to Amara, and his later affair with Monife are all shaped by the pressures of tradition and the curse. Kalu is both a victim and an agent of harm, his golden image tarnished by his choices. His relationship with his son, Zubby, and his belated attempts at atonement add depth to his character, making him a symbol of both lost potential and the possibility of redemption.

Bunmi Falodun

Bunmi is Monife's mother and the matriarch of the Falodun family. Her life is defined by loss—of her husband, her daughter, and her own sense of self. Bunmi's belief in the curse, her reliance on spiritualists, and her attempts to control the narrative of her family are both protective and destructive. She is a complex figure, embodying the contradictions of faith, superstition, and maternal love. Her decline into dementia and eventual death mark the end of an era, but also the possibility of new beginnings.

Kemi

Kemi is Ebun's mother and Bunmi's sister. She is lively, resourceful, and unapologetically self-interested. Kemi's multiple marriages, her pursuit of happiness, and her ability to adapt make her both a foil and a complement to her sister. She is less burdened by the curse, but not immune to its effects. Kemi's relationship with her daughter is marked by both conflict and affection, and her presence provides comic relief as well as wisdom.

Tolu

Tolu is Monife's brother, emotionally distant and haunted by the family's tragedies. His inability to process grief, his strained relationships with the women in his life, and his eventual outburst of truth make him a crucial, if often peripheral, figure. Tolu represents the often-overlooked impact of generational trauma on men, and his journey toward honesty and vulnerability is a quiet but significant thread in the narrative.

Zubby

Zubby is Eniiyi's lover and the son of Golden Boy. He is gentle, supportive, and open-minded—a stark contrast to the men of previous generations. Zubby's relationship with Eniiyi is both a repetition and a challenge to the past, as they must navigate the legacies of their families and the specter of the curse. Zubby's willingness to fight for love, his respect for Eniiyi's autonomy, and his own struggles with identity make him a symbol of hope and change.

Amara

Amara is the woman chosen by Kalu's mother for her son—a symbol of tradition, respectability, and the "right" kind of love. Her rivalry with Monife is both personal and emblematic of the larger forces at play. Amara's own struggles—with infertility, jealousy, and the demands of her role—add nuance to her character, making her more than just an antagonist.

Mama G

Mama G is the family's go-to spiritualist, a figure of both ridicule and respect. Her rituals, advice, and interventions are often dismissed as superstition, but she represents the enduring power of belief and the ways in which communities seek meaning in suffering. Mama G is both a comic and a tragic figure, her presence a reminder of the thin line between faith and folly.

Plot Devices

Generational Curse

The Falodun family curse is the central plot device, functioning as both a literal and symbolic force. It shapes the destinies of the women, influencing their choices, relationships, and self-perceptions. The curse is reinforced through stories, rituals, and the repetition of patterns—failed marriages, lost loves, and untimely deaths. It serves as a metaphor for generational trauma, societal expectations, and the psychological inheritance of pain. The curse is both a narrative engine and a lens through which the characters interpret their lives.

Nonlinear Narrative and Multiple Perspectives

The novel employs a nonlinear structure, moving between past and present, and shifting perspectives among Monife, Ebun, and Eniiyi. This allows for a layered exploration of events, motivations, and consequences. The use of dreams, flashbacks, and family stories blurs the line between memory and reality, emphasizing the ways in which the past is always present. The multiple voices create empathy and complexity, inviting readers to see the story from different angles.

Supernatural Elements and Symbolism

Supernatural elements—dreams, hauntings, reincarnation—are woven throughout the narrative, heightening the sense of unease and inevitability. Water, in particular, is a powerful symbol: it represents both life and death, danger and transformation. The recurring motif of the mermaid, the act of drowning, and the presence of the sea all underscore the themes of surrender, rebirth, and the struggle for autonomy. These elements are used to foreshadow events, reveal character psychology, and deepen the novel's emotional resonance.

Foreshadowing and Repetition

The novel is rich in foreshadowing, with early events and images—such as Monife's death, the removal of her photos, and the rituals surrounding birth and death—echoing throughout the story. Repetition of phrases, actions, and motifs (like the giving of tokens, the act of burying objects, and the recurrence of certain dreams) reinforces the sense of cycles and the difficulty of breaking free from inherited patterns. These devices create a sense of inevitability, while also highlighting the moments when characters choose to resist or rewrite their destinies.

Secrets, Silence, and Revelation

Much of the novel's tension arises from secrets—hidden parentage, unspoken traumas, and the silence surrounding Monife's death. The gradual revelation of these truths is both cathartic and devastating, forcing characters to confront the realities they have tried to avoid. The plot is driven by the interplay between what is known, what is hidden, and what is finally brought to light, culminating in moments of confrontation, confession, and, ultimately, liberation.

Analysis

Cursed Daughters is a powerful meditation on the intergenerational transmission of trauma, the complexities of female identity, and the struggle for autonomy in the face of cultural, familial, and supernatural forces. Oyinkan Braithwaite weaves a narrative that is both intimate and epic, using the device of a family curse to explore the ways in which history, belief, and silence shape the lives of women. The novel interrogates the tension between fate and free will, asking whether we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors or capable of forging new paths. Through its richly drawn characters, nonlinear structure, and evocative symbolism, the story offers a nuanced portrait of love, loss, and resilience. The ultimate message is one of hope: while the past cannot be erased, it need not dictate the future. By confronting pain, embracing vulnerability, and choosing honesty over silence, the characters—especially Eniiyi—demonstrate the possibility of breaking cycles and claiming ownership of their own stories. Cursed Daughters is a testament to the enduring strength of women, the necessity of mourning and remembrance, and the transformative power of self-knowledge and forgiveness.

Last updated: November 28, 2025