“Purple Lines Don’t Meet” by Blessing S. John-Abhulimen is a haunting, emotionally charged novel about identity, family secrets, and the search for belonging.
Review by Philo O'fuose
Author: Blessing S. John-Abhulimen
Publisher: Rayany Publishing, 2025 (Scotland)
Rating: 4 STARS
Overview
The novel follows Tessy, a woman whose life seems picture-perfect: a thriving career, a devoted fiancé, and the joy of family. But when a DNA test reveals that the man who raised her is not her biological father, Tessy’s world fractures. The revelation forces her to confront hidden truths long buried by her mother’s silence.
Instead of proceeding with her wedding, Tessy abandons everything and flees to the UK under the guise of pursuing a master’s degree. Her real mission is deeply personal: to uncover the identity of her true father, armed only with a deleted text and a vague suspicion of his workplace.
What emerges is a narrative that dramatizes the cost of silence, the precariousness of selfhood, and the ways in which diaspora magnifies the tension between past and present. The novel’s strength lies in its refusal to offer easy resolutions, insisting instead on the complexity of reinvention.
Themes & Emotional Core
Family Secrets & Silence: The novel explores how unspoken truths can shape identity and fracture relationships.
Diaspora & Displacement: Tessy’s journey to the UK reflects the broader struggles of the Nigerian diaspora—migration as both escape and confrontation.
Identity & Belonging: The DNA revelation destabilizes Tessy’s sense of self, forcing her to renegotiate who she is and where she belongs.
Agency & Rupture: Her decision to abandon her wedding and family underscores the cost of reclaiming agency against inherited silence.
Strengths of the Book
Suspenseful narrative: The DNA twist propels the story into mystery territory, keeping readers engaged.
Emotional realism: Tessy’s choices feel authentic, capturing the turmoil of betrayal and reinvention.
Cinematic imagery: The writing has been praised as “stunning, haunting, absolutely beautiful storytelling”.
Diaspora resonance: The novel situates personal upheaval within the broader context of migration and cultural adaptation.
Possible Limitations
The heavy emotional themes may feel overwhelming for readers seeking lighter fiction.
The narrative’s focus on secrecy and rupture means it leans into somber realism rather than escapist storytelling.
Verdict
Purple Lines Don’t Meet is a gripping exploration of family, identity, and the cost of silence. Blessing S. John-Abhulimen delivers a novel that is both intimate and universal, weaving suspense with emotional depth. For readers drawn to diaspora narratives, family sagas, and stories of reinvention, this book is a standout addition to contemporary Nigerian literature.
Philo O'fuose is a seasoned editor, publisher and lead literature critique for Bookause. She lives in Canada.