The King of Couch Potatoes

Seriously, no book character has infuriated me by doing absolutely nothing quite like he did. You know that feeling when you’re reading a book, and a character’s behaviour just makes your blood boil and so you put it down for a second to get a breather?  Well, that’s exactly how I felt about Eniola’s father in ‘A Spell of Good Things.’

Eniola’s father is a typical example of how inaction can be just as harmful, if not more so, than the schemes of any villain. We all know those people who remain neutral in severe situations right? The ones who go

I mean I kind of see where he’s coming from…”

I just want to scream, “Honey, I know you’re the queen of diplomacy, but what I’m asking is, where you stand on THIS matter!”

These kinds of people might actually be worse than those who actively oppose or support, whatever the case may be. But I digress. Here we have a man who, instead of stepping up to support his family during tough times, simply retreated into a shell of complacency. It’s maddening, to say the least.

Throughout the story, we see Eniola and his mother struggle, doing everything they can to keep the family afloat. Yet, his father remains an almost ghostly presence, contributing nothing, and in doing so, escalating their suffering – an extra mouth to feed, an extra person to worry about, taking up unnecessary space. His inaction isn’t just frustrating; it’s infuriating because it feels like a betrayal to those who depend on him most.

The contrast between Eniola’s father and other characters in the book who, despite their own struggles, continue to fight and strive, only highlights his shortcomings. It’s a stark reminder of how crucial it is to take action and support those we love, even when it feels overwhelming.

But what makes his’ even more infuriating is the ripple effect it has on Eniola. His father’s passivity forces Eniola to grow up too quickly, shouldering burdens no child should have to bear. This dynamic not only stunts Eniola’s own development but also strips away his innocence far too soon.

There’s a lot of noise, or should I say argument, on the internet about whether we owe people something or not. The truth is, in some capacity, we all do. We owe each other basic decency, respect and in deeper relationships, care, support, and love amongst others. Whether or not those are given, appreciated or reciprocated is a story for another day.

You can either live the life you choose, or the life that happens to you.

At the end of the day, Eniola’s father is a character study in the dangers of passivity. His inaction is a cautionary tale, showing us that sometimes, doing nothing can be the worst action of all. It’s a powerful reminder that we must always strive to be the main characters in our own lives. I once heard a quote along the lines of ‘You can either live the life you choose, or the life that happens to you’ and that literally changed my entire perspective on mindful living.

I could argue about how insignificant he was but here I am, literally writing an entire blog post and there you are, reading about him. You’re just like me! I know I am on and on about Eniola’s dad but this book triggers so many emotions – the familiar themes of poverty, abusive relationships, and more, just as with most African fiction. But if you’ve read Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo, then you know she didn’t disappoint. You’re in for a ride!

I’m curious, what’s your next page-turner?  Will it be A Spell of Good Things or something entirely different? If it’s the latter, let me know so I can add it to my reading list.

XOXO
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2 Comments
  • Big mims
    August 9, 2024

    I had all types of emotions reading a spell of good things. Eniola’s father failed his wife and children. I feel like there was so much more he could have done.

    • Doowuese Abwa
      November 16, 2024

      So much more than being a couch potato reminiscing about what was or what could’ve been!