Customer Reviews

7 reviews

• Joanna

  Sophia is a prolific writer, she has has an arsenal of stories and expresses them in her own unique style. Iam sure that these stories will stir up delightful emotions as readers identify with characters, events and storylines similar to real life experiences, especially those who had the opportunity to live in the colourful and vibrant cities mentioned in her stories. Absolutely well done Sophia..

• Love, sadness, humor and adventure are all embedded within Sophia's varied collection of stories. Every story strongly reflects her cultural and traditional background, portaying so much about her homeland and her religious beliefs.

• Jill Ball

  I really enjoyed this book of short stories because it took me to a different world, one I'm unlikely to visit, and it introduced me to characters I may never meet. The stories and the people stayed with me as I pondered their dilemmas. I felt I could understand their motivation, what made them tick.
  What more do you want from a book?

• Clare

  Stories from the heart for older generations (Olusola Sophia Anyanwu)
  
  I have always loved short stories – the way you can dip in and out of different lives. As a bonus, this book not only provides you with a snapshot of the different characters’ lives but also that magical feeling of discovering a new place. Set in Nigeria in days gone by, the stories drop in nuances of local culture: the language, sights and sounds; the names of places and people. The characters’ behaviours and expectations are of that particular place and era, which all adds to the flavour.
  
  The author manages to create a strong cultural backdrop which, while not the main point of the stories, is present in all of them, making it feel rather like being transported to another land. I particularly love the ambience in “The Rush” and could really imagine listening to rainfall through an open window and the fluttering of newspaper pages ruffled by the breeze.
  The characters are strong and believable while the stories themselves are gently probing, inspiring us to think about human nature and how we relate to others. These are indeed stories of the heart - not saccharin love stories, but tales of all the things that go on inside us – whether openly or hidden. The stories unfold all the good and the bad, love and lust, confusion, grief, kindness, misunderstandings and deception. They tell tales of relationships between parents and children as well as married couples, friends and lovers. There is also community, stories of generosity and service, the helpers and those helped...and how the lines can blur between them.
  
  Overall these are engaging stories that do not shy away from real life but instead use it to explore humanity with all its strengths and weaknesses.
  

• Anita Kelly

  Sophia's writing is clever and I liked the twist in the tail of Teddy Boy! Initially I wasn't sure this book was for me, with the older generations in the title but once I'd read the 1st story I was drawn in. The writing style reminded me of Alexander McCall-Smith's No. 1 Detective Agency series, but set in Nigeria and with more of a Christian slant. Each story focuses on different kinds of love and I liked the bible verse quote at the start of each story.
  
  Please note I was given a review copy of this book for free.

• Jeannie

  O l u s o l a S o p h i a A nyanw u
  S T O R I E S F R O M T H E HE A R T
  F o r O l d e r G e n e r a t i o n s
  
  This book is an eclectic collection of stories going back in time. I found them fascinating in the insight they gave into her life, and the lives of others. I am not usually a fan of short stories as I always want to know what happened next, but these captivated and fascinated me. I think because the stories are told from the point of view of the actual person rather than someone looking from the outside.
  
  The style is one I have found in other writers from Nigeria, closer to spoken English and with a mixture of colloquial and words that are from a previous generation.
  I found that the words stayed in my mind with their vivid pictures and I often felt I was walking down a Nigerian street.
  
  For example” The pupils are the actors and the teacher the participating eye. As a god of his world, the teacher can make and unmake any of the
  participants or the whole actors as a whole.”
  
  The topics are varied. some serious, and yet there is lightness of touch in the writing that makes you feel relaxed as if you are smiling with the author like this description of a car
  
  “The absence of the left-hand wiper and the presence of a dead right-hand wiper called for consternation. His faulty silencer was like a loudspeaker.”
  
  I loved the exciting use of language I have been in a car like that!
  
  I think it would be excellent as well if you want stories to read to someone , or as a starter for discussions.
  
  Buy this book to make you smile and think in a new way !
  You will not regret it: a unique experience !
  
  

• Nkechi Obasi

  STORIES FROM THE HEART BY OLUSHOLA SOPHIA ANYANWU.
  A very captivating piece with the story line so enriched with common everyday experiences that could sustain the interest of the reader to the end.
  The detailed description of actions and activities in the book is commendable and that makes it appealing even to an occasional reader.

Write a Review