Summary

Part 1 of the novel provides the backstory for the main character and principal narrator, Onyesonwu. Chapter 1, “My Father’s Face,” begins with the death of Onyesonwu’s Papa which occurs when Onyesonwu is 16. At his funeral, she brings his body back to life briefly, until a man named Aro tells her to let go of her Papa. The brief chapter concludes with a first person narration in italics, wherein Onyesonwu speaks to a listener. She explains that her mother chose her name, Onyesonwu, because it means “Who fears death?” and tells the listener that she will tell her story to provide the truth and counter the lies that others will tell about her.

Over the subsequent chapters, Onyesonwu describes her childhood. She was born out of rape, resulting in her unusual appearance which causes everyone to immediately recognize her as ewu, the term for...