Masobe Books has revealed the cover for Chika Unigwe’s forthcoming novel Grace, set for release in Nigerian bookstores on March 10, 2026!

Unigwe, author of acclaimed novels including On Black Sisters Street and Night Dancer, returns with a story that examines the long shadow cast by choices made under pressure and the cost of silence across generations.

Grace follows its titular character on her first-born daughter Baby’s birthday, a child she has not seen in twenty-six years. Now a wife, mother to twin daughters, and owner of a successful medical clinic, Grace has built a new life on carefully maintained distance from her past. At fifteen, Grace became pregnant and, under pressure from her parents, gave Baby away for adoption. Unable to forgive their decision, she severed all contact with her family. When Grace’s estranged mother unexpectedly reappears, the fragile equilibrium Grace spent decades constructing begins to collapse, threatening to expose the secret that could destroy everything she has built.

The novel arrives as conversations about reproductive autonomy, motherhood, and family obligation continue to shape feminist discourse across Africa. Brittle Paper editor Ainehi Edoro, in her review of Grace, describes the novel as “a feminist dictionary of mothering,” highlighting Unigwe’s nuanced examination of how women navigate impossible choices within systems that offer them little agency. The book’s exploration of adoption, estrangement, and reconciliation positions it within a growing body of African literature interrogating the romanticized narratives of motherhood and family ties.

Masobe Books’ publication of Grace continues the press’s commitment to championing African women’s writing that tackles complex social issues through intimate, character-driven narratives. Grace will be available in Nigerian bookstores from March 10, 2026, with international distribution details to be announced.