Wahala by Nikki May
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I set myself a personal reading challenge to read and review all eight of the novels shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize 2023.
‘Wahala’ is the Yoruba word for ‘trouble’. In May’s funny and perceptive debut novel, the trouble is created by a pushy outsider who intrudes herself into the lives of a tight-knit friendship group. Ronke, Simi and Boo have been friends ever since they met at university in Bristol. Their shared British-Nigerian heritage brought them together, and as young professionals they remain close. One of their favourite meeting places is a Nigerian restaurant near their homes in suburban London. When Ronke arrives there to lunch with Simi she expects to share exciting news about her latest relationship, over a feast of pounded yam. Instead she is faced with Isobel, Simi’s ‘embarrassingly rich’ childhood friend, who is celebrating her divorce by throwing her money around.
Happily married Simi is bound to her former bestie by memories of their Nigerian childhood and a shared love of fashion. Boo embraces Isobel as a distraction from her sweet but dull husband and challenging daughter. Only sensible Ronke, who loves cooking and is not worried about appearances, tries to resist her. But Ronke’s status in the group is weakened by her history of falling for ‘bad boys’ and by Isobel’s scorn for her curvy size 12 figure. Soon Isobel becomes a force to be reckoned with in the lives of the other three women. She has a keen eye for their vulnerabilities, which she does not hesitate to manipulate for her own purposes.
The effectiveness of Isobel’s power grab becomes clear in separate narratives, told from the points of view of Ronke, Simi and Boo. She treats them to luxurious meals at restaurants which are above their price range, buys them ridiculously expensive gifts and invites them to extravagant parties where she chooses and pays for their outfits. This seems like harmless generosity, until Isobel starts using the friends’ obligation to her to tempt them into pathways which may lead to their destruction. No secret, however private and personal, is safe with Isobel. Will her cruel deceptions never end? What can she possibly gain from this destruction?
May’s skilfully told tale sensitively explores the strength of female friendship, its weaknesses and resilience. All the characters, including the men, are well drawn and relatable. In some ways it reminded me of Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie. I recommend Wahala to lovers of witty writing – and scotch bonnet chillis, because Ronke’s recipes in the bonus section are seriously hot.
The winner of the Comedy Women in Print Prize will be announced on 17th April. For more details follow the link below.