Title: The Catechist’s Daughter
Author: Uloma Egbuchulam Anayanechi
Publisher: Juno-tel
Pages: 54
Reviewer: Precious Ogwa
The novel, The Catechist’s Daughter, is a thrilling, love story authored by Uloma Egbuchulam Anyanechi.
The 54-paged novel, divided into 12 chapters, is an interesting read, involving two main characters – Ucheoma, the catechist’s daughter and Chiadi, the priest.
Though The Catechist’s Daughter is the first novel coming from the author, it is written with interesting chapters that encapsulate readers minds from beginning to end.
Chiadi is transferred to the parish to take over the church, after the death of the former priest. He had left for the village to obey God’s call, against his father’s wish. He, however, finds himself entangled in a love affair with Ucheoma.
Ucheoma, whose happiness soon fades away, when she realises her pregnancy for the priest, is left to face the consequence, giving her no option but to forget her dream.
Set in the village of Abali, where Christianity has taken a deep root. The story, which revolves around Ucheoma, shows how the girl child is left at a disadvantage position. Her desire to be educated is disrupted to cover up a mess.
Ucheoma, an academically bright student, with a big dream, has to sacrifice all she has to save the priest from ex-communication, and she, on her part, from shame. But as fate has another plan for her, she loses the child.
Though the priest promises her that she will further her education after the birth of their child, the intriguing events that unfold reveal that the girl-child should be protected.
Despite plans to distance herself from the priest, in spite of living together, she accepts the priest and they have another child.
The Catechist’s Daughter is a story that relates the real-life happening in society for ages, showcasing relationships between individuals and how they can turn sour.
The book serves as an eye-opener to individuals on the need to define their relationship. It is also an eye-opener for parents to give their children, especially the girl-child, sex education to avoid costly mistakes, though Ucheoma’s case ended on a good note.
The writer employs literally techniques to spice up the storyline in addition to the usage of simple words and vocabularies for easy comprehension by readers.
The use of Igbo names, phrases and words, strengthens the storyline, as it gives the author a strong identity with language and culture of her origin, exploring the cultural aesthetics of the Igbo people.
In summary, Anyanechi was born to the family of Sir and Lady James of Umunoha, Mbaitoli, Imo State. She had her education at the Ebonyi State University, where she read Food, Science and Technology.
