A synopsis of Alabaster Box
(An Anthology of 10 Heartwarming Stories)
Stories in the Anthology
- Throes
- Married Again
- Hidden Millionaire
- A Christmas Breakfast
- Bitch
- Who’s Buchi’s father?
- Second Hand Wife
- Like a Phoenix
- When new flowers bloom
- Unwanted
LOGLINE:
Who bears the brunt for people who have been scarred by unpleasant events in their lives?
The stories in this book are reassurances to people who are negatively tagged in society that what they are called doesn't have to be the definition of who they really are. It appeals to the conscience to answer questions that would rather be avoided - “What would you do if you were in their shoes?” It calls for compassion in the face of judgment and empathy in place of prejudice.
The book is a strong belief in second chances for people who have fallen, have been scarred in the society or are victims of unpleasant experiences. It is a wakeup call for judgmental people to cast away their stone of condemnation.
This book is to its target audience, a clarion call to action. It is a book of hope to the depressed and a burning fire in the heart of the zealot. It is aimed at entertaining, informing and persuading the reader that life should not always be seen in black and white when sensitive matters are at stake. There are many colours between the two shades and an understanding of that is the beginning of creating a better world.
Within the vibrant, often tumultuous rhythm of modern life, lie countless untold stories – narratives of quiet struggles, explosive secrets, resilient hopes, and the intricate dance of human connection. "This book title - Alabaster Box is inspired by the story of the immoral woman and her Alabaster Box in the Holy Bible. The woman brought an Alabaster Box to clean the feet of Jesus Christ. She was considered an immoral woman and not worthy to touch the feet of a holy man but she received redemption from Jesus himself and began her life-changing experience.
Overview:
Alabaster Box is more than just a collection of stories—it’s a mirror held up to society, asking us to take a closer look at how we treat each other, and how easy it is to become part of harm, even without meaning to. With a sharp eye and a compassionate heart, Becky Oludayo Peleowo explores the pain, the silence, and the subtle discriminations that so many people endure.
Peleowo isn’t just showing us these stories to make us sad. She’s inviting us to feel, to reflect, and to act. She wants readers to sit with discomfort, to recognize how systems strip people of dignity—and to question how we might be helping those systems along without realizing it.
This book is meant to spark something—empathy, awareness, maybe even courage. It's a reminder that we all have a part to play, and that choosing compassion, even in small ways, can be powerful.
Setting
The anthology moves between vivid, varied settings—from the chaotic energy of Lagos to the cold sterility of certain practices in other cities of Africa.
The setting focuses on both rural and urban centres in various part of Nigeria and some in South Africa.
It cuts across different norms and cultural practices that hinders women development and integration especially in the Nigerian society.
Characterisation
In each story, we meet people trying to survive in a world that isn’t always kind—people who are mistreated, manipulated, or marginalized. And sometimes, we meet the ones doing the hurting—not monsters, but people just like us, driven by fear, ambition, or a desire to belong. ter Box is more than just a collection of stories—it’s a mirror held up to society, asking us to take a closer look at how we treat each other, and how easy it is to become part of harm, even without meaning to. With a sharp eye and a compassionate heart, Becky Oludayo Peleowo explores the pain, the silence, and the subtle discriminations that so many people endure.
The anthology moves between vivid, varied settings—from the chaotic energy of Lagos to the cold sterility of certain African beliefs.
In each story, we meet people trying to survive in a world that isn’t always kind—people who are mistreated, manipulated, or marginalized. And sometimes, we meet the ones doing the hurting—not monsters, but people just like us, driven by fear, ambition, or a desire to belong.
Exploring the Terrain: Themes and Stories Within
THROES
This isn’t just a narrative of physical pain, though it might touch upon the raw intensity of childbirth or situations that lead to it. Primarily, it captures moments of profound emotional upheaval – the gut-wrenching end of a marriage, the shock of betrayal by a spouse, the disorienting chaos when a carefully constructed life suddenly implodes. Readers will encounter the main character grappling vulnerability in its starkest form, reminding us how fragile our foundations can be and setting the stage for the complex emotional journeys that follow. They honour the moments that break us open, forcing us to confront our deepest fears and unexpected reserves of strength.
An excerpt from “Throes”
“…The memories are all coming back to her. That night he had made her tipsy and replaced himself with the lecherous Jared. Jared raped her in place of her husband…”
MARRIED AGAIN
This narrative delves into the complexities of second chances in love, particularly within a society where societal expectations cage women from seeking true liberation from marital issues. Married Again moves beyond simple romance to explore the practical and emotional hurdles of blending families, navigating the shadows of former spouses, managing financial entanglements, and rebuilding trust. Readers will find tales of cautious optimism, the sweet rediscovery of companionship, but also the anxieties and societal judgments that can accompany starting over. Can love truly conquer the baggage of the past? How do cultural expectations shape the path of a second marriage? These stories offer nuanced perspectives on the courage it takes to open one's heart again after profound hurt.
SECOND HAND WIFE
Flowing naturally from this theme are stories that deal with Nigerian mother-in-laws and their unfair treatment of potential daughter in laws. This isn't merely about chronology; it's about the deeply human struggle with comparison and the search for unique validation. Within these pages, characters wrestle with myths, cultural beliefs and the special treatment of sons in the families in sensitive matters about choice of spouses . The anthology presents narratives exploring the subtle power dynamics in blended families, the sting of unspoken comparisons, the longing to be seen and loved wholly for oneself. These tales resonate with anyone who has ever felt overshadowed or questioned their place in a relationship, capturing the vulnerability and the quiet fight for self-worth against the backdrop of a shared cultural belief they weren't part of.
Secrets, both large and small, form the dramatic core of this story.
HIDDEN MILLIONAIRE
Can a woman who has made a substantial profit margin in the digital marketing business find a man who will see beyond her success and embrace her person without prejudice or inferiority complex?
A woman in her prime attains uncommon success in a society where a woman’s biological clock is priority in comparison to attaining wealth. She finds herself confronted with pressure from close family to find a spouse with the looming fear that being a single mum and a rich one at that may not give her a lucky chance of getting a man who truly loves her.
Perhaps, her search was closer than she thought.
WHO'S BUCHI’S FATHER?
This question resonates deeply, touching on themes of identity, legacy, infidelity, and the long-reaching consequences of past actions, particularly within close-knit communities or families where lineage holds significant weight. The story explores the emotional turmoil of discovering unsettling truths, the desperate measures taken to conceal affairs or protect reputations, and the complex web of loyalty and betrayal that such secrets create. These narratives, potentially set against the specific cultural fabric of the justification of men's extramarital relations while condemning the same for a woman. It highlights the universal need for truth and belonging, and the potential for devastation when truths that hinge on one's reputation are questioned.
Life's pressures and the fight for survival or self fulfillment can lead to harsh judgments, and the story confronts this head-on with stories reflecting the need to treat matters concerning women with the same yardstick used to address those of the men folk.
BITCH
Playing on the word bitch, this story isn't about radical women but it centres on a bitch (female dog) and how it unites it's owner with the love of his life in such an unusual way that is common with popular romance stories. Readers will encounter complex feminine characters – A dog and a woman and how they both find love under weird conditions – Bitch is about challenging expectations, making tough choices, and seeing things beyond the surface. These stories interrogate societal biases about love and who deserves to be loved. It is about loving a person for who they are rather than changing them to suit one's dispositions.
A CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
Christmas is a beautiful moment for families to unite and bond but this pun title refers to more than a Christmas meal but more of disappointment and betrayal. Beneath the festive surface, readers might find stories exploring heartbreak, hurt and betrayal and the fragile hope for love again. These tales use the intimacy of the shared meal to dissect the complex, often contradictory nature of family bonds.
UNWANTED
At the heart of many human struggles lies the painful feeling of being Unwanted. This anthology doesn't shy away from exploring this deep-seated fear and reality. Unwanted delved into the profound loneliness and despair that accompanies feeling invisible or unworthy of love and belonging. Through empathetic storytelling, this story explores the psychological impact of rejection and the difficult, often solitary, journey towards finding self-acceptance and value in a world that seems to have cast them aside.
LIKE A PHOENIX
Yet, woven throughout the collection is a powerful counter-thread: the indomitable spirit of resilience, captured in stories titled Like a Phoenix. These are narratives of transformation and rebirth. Characters who have endured unimaginable loss, betrayal, or hardship find within themselves the strength to rise from the ashes. These are not stories of forgetting the pain, but of integrating it, using it as fuel for change and growth. Readers will witness journeys of recovery from addiction, escape from abusive relationships, rebuilding careers after failure, or finding purpose after loss. These tales celebrate the tenacity of the human spirit, showcasing the courage it takes to rebuild a life and redefine oneself after devastation.
WHEN NEW FLOWERS BLOOM
After the struggles, the secrets, and the pain, these stories explore the quiet emergence of peace, new love, reconciliation, or simply a renewed appreciation for life. They might depict the tentative blossoming of a healthy relationship built on honesty, the mending of fractured family ties, the finding of community, or the achievement of inner contentment. These narratives offer a sense of closure, not necessarily tied up in neat bows, but reflecting the gentle, persistent way life finds a way to regenerate, offering beauty and possibility even after the harshest seasons.
Summary: A Tapestry of Shared Imperfections
"Alabaster Box" is more than just a collection of stories; it is an invitation to connect with the deepest currents of women’s experiences. Through diverse voices and perspectives, potentially reflecting the unique pulse of contemporary Nigerian life, this anthology explores the intricate tapestry of relationships, struggles with acceptance, the secrets women keep, the judgments they face, and their enduring capacity for resilience and hope. Each narrative offers a unique emotional journey, yet together they resonate with universal truths about love, loss, betrayal, and the unyielding search for meaning and connection. This collection promises to move you, challenge you, and ultimately, to remind you of the profound, complex, and beautiful business of being human. It is a testament to the stories that unfold within each of us, waiting to be heard.
What the Author Wants Us to See:
Becky Oludayo Peleowo wrote this book not just to tell stories, but to hold up a challenge: How are we complicit? When do we trade empathy for judgement? When do we let things slide because it’s easier than getting involved? And what do we lose, piece by piece, when we stop seeing each other as fully human?
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Why This Book Matters:
This is a powerful, emotional, and deeply relevant collection for anyone trying to make sense of the world’s quiet cruelties—and our place in them. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but it does offer truth.
Alabaster box invites us to look at ourselves, to reflect on the roles we play, and to choose, every day, to be on the side of dignity, decency, and compassion.
It’s not always comfortable. But it’s necessary for “he who is without sin, should be the first to cast a stone”.
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Meet the Author
Becky Oludayo Peleowo is a fiction writer, poet, fashion enthusiast and a lover of good music and tasty dishes. She’s a certified educationist who lives in Lagos with her family where she teaches languages. She considers herself a nonconformist to situations that require change and believes in effecting change in many little ways.
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