By Mojeed Ajibola Adeyinka

A critic once argued that African literature is almost always tragic. Citing several well-known African novels, the critic claimed that no African story ends happily—that our best books are always soaked in trauma. At the time, I agreed. But after reading Madam Lajfingers’ three-part series titled Girls Are Golden, I’m beginning to reconsider that stance.

This 105-chapter novel (an epilogue inclusive) begins on a promising note and ends on an uplifting one. Yes, there are moments of sorrow, scenes of conflict, and times of doubt and detachment. But from the first page to the last, the reader moves through a well-woven narrative that leaves the heart satisfied and the spirit warmed. The author does full justice to the characters and the unfolding events, wrapping everything in a wholesome and gratifying arc.

Girls Are Golden tells the story of the Alabi family, centered on Mr. Alabi—a proud father of six daughters. Unlike many stereotypical African fathers who crave sons. He is, in the author’s words, “not your regular man.” He proudly answers to the nickname “Daddy Abi-girl” and considers the proper upbringing of his daughters his life’s mission. His overprotectiveness and intentional parenting might remind readers of Papa Eugene from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus, though Mr. Alabi is far from a religious fanatic.


Mr. Alabi, aside from giving his daughters beautiful names, also endows them with charming nicknames. The first daughter is Nabeelah, whose sobriquet is Cinderella. Zara is the second daughter, nicknamed Cutie Pie. Hameedah is Pumpkin, Aneesah is Honeybunch, Khayrah is Sweetums, and the baby of the house—my favourite among the daughters (I will explain why later)—is Abidah, known as Baby Doll.

Mr. Alabi does his best to ensure that his children receive a good education, Islamic values, and strong morality. They all grow up to be professionals in their chosen fields and have successful marriages, having been guided to make the right choices from a young age.

Madam Laj Fingers is a dynamic writer. She skillfully weaves the story of a family to illustrate how parents should raise their children—especially daughters—well. The novel is a complete journey from childhood to adulthood. The author’s style is bold and distinctive. A notable example is in chapter forty-one, during the celebration of Nabeelah’s Nikah, where the prose turns entirely poetic toward the end. I write a novel and a collection of poems as my final-year project in the university, and my supervisor would likely ask me to rework that paragraph. However, another lecturer of mine might praise the author for owning her unique style. Laj Fingers has truly mastered her craft: she is the mastermind of her story. At times, she judges her characters; at others, she preaches to the readers. She doesn’t just tell stories—she shows readers what the stories entail. Impressive!

Returning to the book at hand, the three-part series: Girls Are Golden is not just about the Alabi family. It also addresses several topical issues intricately embedded in the narrative. There is the theme of unwanted pregnancy represented by Romoke and her mother. Child sexual abuse is explored through the characters Farid and Aneen (Faridah’s daughter). Preconceived marital violence appears in the story of Mrs. Bright. Zaynab and Zara, the second daughter of the Alabis, portray the challenges faced by Muslim couples in the diaspora. The theme of conflicting interests emerges when Abidah must choose between two lovely young men, Adam and Nasir. The topic of secret marriage and its consequences is depicted in the story of Azeemah. One of the strengths of this novel is how these characters and themes are seamlessly interwoven; none stands alone. This interconnectedness makes the story extremely engaging.

Allow me to share my favourite characters. You might guess that Abidah is my favourite female character. She represents what an average Muslim daughter could be, maintaining her dignity until the very end. As a teenager, Abidah falls in love—platonically, though—with Nasir Davies (later known as Nasir Iwalewa) at first sight. Nasir works as her father’s sales boy, but they share more than that: both study the same course in school, being in commercial classes. All of Mr. Alabi’s daughters study science except Abidah. Thanks to a responsible father like Mr. Alabi, the relationship between Abidah and Nasir remains free from what many would call “boyfriend-girlfriend” antics. Yet, the love persists through their university years, and their paths continue to cross until they finally make it Halal.

Nasir Davies could have been my favourite male character, but he has his flaws. These flaws are not too serious—they reflect the ego and over-gentlemanliness typical of many young, ambitious men. His excessive gentlemanliness surfaces when he marries Abidah on the condition that he will not touch her until she gives her consent. Poor guy! While I might have accused Mr. Alabi of indulging his daughters too much, the step he takes to intervene in the new couple’s relationship changes everything. Mr. Alabi proves himself a no-nonsense father.

So, who is my favourite male character? It is Nasir Arowolo, the husband of the first daughter, Nabeelah. He is a down-to-earth man who is kind, warm, and firm when necessary—a man who wins the hearts of everyone around him with his warmth and proactiveness. Mr. and Mrs. Alabi feel that, even though all their children are girls, they have a son in Dr. Nasir Arowolo as their son-in-law.

When reviewing my novel, The Breakfast, my friend Ibn Solih Ridwanullah quoted Al-Jahmi, whose saying I find exceptionally fitting for Laj Fingers’ Girls Are Golden: “If I find a book agreeable and enjoyable and deem it beneficial, you will see me hour after hour checking how many pages are left, for fear of being close to the end. And if it is in many volumes with a great number of pages, my life and my happiness are complete.” I share that joy completely—I am happy with this large volume of Girls Are Golden and yet wish it never ended.

Every Muslim home should have this book.