The novel's focus on male characters detracts from its female protagonists, resulting in a portrayal that neglects the complexity of the women’s experiences.
The reviewer expresses frustration with the novel’s heavy emphasis on men, arguing that this focus overshadows the women who are meant to be at the heart of the story. While acknowledging that the portrayals of men are not necessarily inaccurate, the critique is that the narrative becomes too preoccupied with male characters, which dilutes the impact and depth of the female perspectives. This focus on men is seen as a missed opportunity to fully explore the women’s inner lives and struggles. The reviewer implies that the novel could have benefited from a more balanced or critical approach that centers the women’s voices and experiences more robustly, rather than being uncritically hung up on their relationships with men.
Quick quotes
None of Adichie's portrayals of men are necessarily incorrect, but Dream Count is so uncritically hung up on its men that it neglects its women.
The novel neglects the complexity of the women’s experiences by focusing too much on male characters.
This focus on men is a missed opportunity to explore the women’s inner lives.