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Hail Mary

Published by Magpie
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

* A Harper's Bazaar 'Best New Short-Story Collection' for 2025 *

A stunning collection of short stories capturing the lives of nine Nigerian women, each very different, each determined to fight for themselves.

Meet Ifeoma. She's been ready to leave her violent husband for some time, but her plans for a quiet departure take an unexpectedly gruesome turn...

Nkechi, a housemaid for a rich Lagos family, bears the weight of her Madam's wrath when she discovers her husband's dark secret.

In London, Riliwa meets Mary, a guardian angel full of advice, wisdom and practical support as she navigates her unfamiliar new home. But it soon becomes clear that Mary's kindness comes at a price.

Passionate, raw, full of heart and humour, these are stories about women who will not be broken by the challenges life puts in their way.

'Wow! I thought this collection was breathtaking. It packs such an emotional punch.' Jessica George, author of Maame

About The Author

Funmi Fetto is a London-based journalist and editor, and is currently the Style Editor at British Vogue. As a digital and print journalist, she has worked and written for numerous publications and organizations including Glamour.com, Vanity Fair, InStyle, Sunday Times Style, Guardian and Tatler.

Funmi is the author of the bestselling book Palette: A Black Beauty Bible for Women of Colour and a columnist at the Observer. Her work largely intersects across art, beauty, culture, race and identity.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Magpie (April 24, 2025)
  • Length: 208 pages
  • ISBN13: 9780861547715

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Raves and Reviews

'Immersive, captivating, and sharply written, Hail Mary fearlessly tackles the taboo, holding up a bold and unflinching mirror. Each woman's story is richly drawn and deeply compelling—I found myself caring about them all, flaws and all.' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

'I finished Hail Mary and wow! I thought this collection was breathtaking. It packs such an emotional punch... I devoured these short yet complex stories about women, their joy as well as their unbelievable heartbreak.' Jessica George, author of Maame

'A collection teeming with vitality, exploring the complex and rich lives of Black women. Funny, intimate and wise.' Irenosen Okojie, author of Curandera

'Funmi's inspired stories are captivating, wholly original, and filled with vivid, unforgettable portraits of Black women. Once you start reading, you won't want to put it down. It's beautiful, potent, and necessary.' Kenya Hunt, author of Girl: Essays on Black Womanhood

'The acclaimed journalist and author of the bestselling beauty bible Palette has now turned her pen to fiction. With Hail Mary comes her debut collection of short stories, examining tradition, faith and expectation through the lives of nine Nigerian women.' Harper's Bazaar

'Immersive, captivating, and sharply written... Each woman's story is richly drawn and deeply compelling.' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

'Hail Mary, Funmi Fetto’s immersive story collection, is an unflinching observation of how people and systems claiming culture, tradition or religion conspire to lock girls and women in oppressive cycles.' Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, author of My Parents’ Marriage

'Culturally layered and gripping... Fetto's witty and candid storytelling made this a breathless read, while her vital and heroic protagonists will stay with me forever.' Vanessa Walters, author of The Lagos Wife

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