A REVIEW OF THE BOOK “SECOND CHANCE” BY NYENGI KOIN

Wheew!, Here we go again, You know how we roll. Reviewing books is what i do for a hubby. If you haven’t read this book yet, I will talk to you like a typical Onitsha movie nollywood blockbuster, “Grab your copy Now”. Damn! It is what is…

Do you have your glass of coffee ready or should i borrow you mine. You are gonna need it.

IMPRINT:
 Author:         Nyengi Koin
Publisher:     Ibadan : Paperback Publishers Ltd., 1986.
Series:            Egret romance & thrillers, 2.
Edition/Format:      Print book : Fiction : English
Pagination: 126

First things First, Searching for this book online and in stores as well should be listed as one of the 1000 ways to die!. Am really not gonna be nice here but the publishers are not really thoughtful towards market penetration. How can one not find a book easily on Amazon???. I went through hell to get this book. Let me not bore you with the details anyway, but grab a glass of coffee, tell me if you are with me, then relax because just like Senator Adeleke once said and i quote;

“…I will be dropping it, one by one gbagam”.  (My Mumu too much ah swear).

At this juncture, I will leave you a summary from Google books about the book:

This is a classic novel by Nyengi Koin. It is about class struggle. Richard Pepple and Mina Erein both met in their final year in the university. They became friends and fell in love. They eventually got married despite the huge gap in their class differences. Richard belonged to a struggling class, while Mina was from the affluent. 

Things got bad after their marriage due to the seemingly domineering attitude of the Ereins, who had earlier compelled the couple to live with them in their palatial mansion, as a pre-condition for the marriage of the lovebirds, and the ego (pride) of Richard who felt he had a right to take responsibilities on his family without undue interference by the Ereins, whom he considered snobbish. 

Richard eventually moved out of his in-laws’ abode, to start a humble life. Mina, on her part, declined to go with her husband, and chose to remain in the comfort of her parents’ home. This led to their separation and the sharing of their newly born twin children Miatta and Bindo, for Richard and Mina respectively.

Both lovers eventually met again (through their twins) in a new primary school. Richard was already living comfortably then, as he had gained favours, working in an oil company. Mina on her part, was already feeling the pangs of loneliness and the guilt of excessive pampering of Bindo, who is gradually growing up as a repulsive spoilt brat. 

On the other hand, Miata is well-behaved, receptive and highly talented. These are the consequences of the twin-girls’ different early-childhood upbringing, which ultimately influenced their respective attitudes. Both Mina and Richard regretted their actions, and patched things up. 

This time around, Mina’s parents had no alternative than to allow the lovers live an autonomous life. Prospectively, there were positive signs that the family could still become an indivisible, lovely one.
The second Chance is a classical and evergreen literature which teaches the virtues of appreciating one’s self-worth, contentment, diligence, mutual respect, dignity of labour, determination and self-reliance.

 It is recommended for teenagers and all adults”. (Source: Google books; author: Unknown). 

My greatest challenge now is am i to review this book chapter by chapter or should i just drop an overall review. Tell me what you think in the comment, so that we can update this page. I love you

 

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19 Comments
  • I've been dying to get my hands on this book. I've prayed and promised the gods in charge of books to hold and treat it dearly if I ever find it. Please where did you get the book?

  • Hello, please I need this book. Kindly share a soft copy. Thank you.
    P.S: Please include Time Changes Yesterday from same author

  • Please am still looking for this book please help me with any information. 0805 291 8243 This is my number please call me

  • Please I need this book I don’t know where to get it or download it please if you have any idea of how I can get it please this is my number
    09137162831
    I live in Benin I don’t know which bookshop to get it from or if you can share a soft copy I would really appreciate thank you including time changes by the same author.

    • I don’t know if they deliver to Benin but try Sunshine Booksellers, I bought several Pacesetters novels from them

  • Lmao! The comments here make me know that I am not alone in the search for this book. More than a decade later and the story is evergreen in my head. I only just found out the name of the author jas I had forgotten it over the years. Cane across this page today and your starting paragraph sent me laughing out loud cause it all so relatable. Where did you get the book? How can I get a copy? Is there a way you can scan and share?

  • I still have my Primary school copy and I guard it jealously!
    First off, Richard found work in a Publishing company and it was Mina’s mother was the actual snob, not Mr Erien. Richard got on better with him according to the writer but we didn’t get a lot of scenes of them interacting. Mina wanted to go with him at the last minute when she saw he was going to take one of the twins. Not only did Richard tell her she lost the right to go with him, he also threatened to take both girls if she didn’t back off.
    Both Richard and Mina were at fault. Mina, being the only surviving child, easily led and sheltered made the mistake of listening to her mother most of the time, At least, she did some growing up but still ended up making the mistake of spoiling Bindo, At the final scene, she was all emotional instead of doing what today’s woman would do, tell Richard he was a bastard for what he did to her and it took TWO to break their marriage in the first place. She should have also called out her mother for her condescending attitude towards Richard and her constant interference.

    No one can blame Richard for wanting to be his own man but his temper got in the way. He made it more about himself, instead of considering where Mina was coming from. I think he would have been more understanding if his father in law had told him Mina was born after several of his previous children did not live to see their 1st birthday, hence why she was so sheltered and over protected. He should have also considered Mina’s poor state of health, what he did could have killed her and where would he have been when he came back with the other twin years later? Most of the time, I felt Mina loved Richard more than he loved her

    • You should write ✍️ your own review. Yours is actually better than the original. That was exactly how I remember the Novel. Nyegi Coin was pandering to Patriarchy. She made it look like Nina was at fault. Mina even remained chaste all through their separation while Richard had the chance to sample other pots and yet Mina is the one who had to go down and accept every condition Richard is bringing

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