Elechi Amadi takes you to places that are both physical and abstract through the Concubine. He provides us with a peek into the Ibgo way of life before Western contact.

It is a beautiful but sad story of rebellion and love. A story of customs and sheer human will against those those customs. A story of destiny and the futility of attempting to escape one's destiny. A story of Ihuoma, who though widowed, is well mannered, very beautiful and highly respected in the whole of Omokachi village, yet she is destined to be a concubine. It is also a story of Ekueme who dared to defy the gods and customs by trying to marry Ihuoma, who ultimately pays the price by losing his life.

It is very interesting read and quite informative in the native ways of the Ibgo. The book has a very slow beginning and I almost gave up but once things started happening I could not put the book down. A great read.