Reviews

The First Wife: A Tale of Polygamy by Paulina Chiziane

iris273's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

ana_oxford's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

mleonorgaspar's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

rafamar's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

sonia_figueira's review against another edition

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4.0

3,75⭐

jenmat1197's review against another edition

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4.0

Rami is Tony's wife. What she discovers is that she isn't Tony's ONLY wife. She finds out that she is one of 5 women that Tony has had relations and children with. At first she is angry - fighting each woman in turn, claiming that Tony is hers and hers alone. She is, after all, the legal wife. But with time, she comes to like these women and they learn to coexist together.



Rami plots to make him an honest man, but it doesn't work. Tony's family forced him to marry the other 4 women. Rami and the wives join together to demand their rights as a polygamist family. Tony is overwhelmed with so many women to care for and disappears. His family fears him dead, but Rami belives otherwise. Tony eventually does turn back up, but by then, the 5 women have become independent of him. Most own their own businesses and have taken other lovers, and start to drift away. Rami ends up being the last one, and Tony begs her to stay and be his wife. But Rami isn't sure that is what she wants any more.



This was a quirky book. I am not sure how else to discribe it. I liked it in a lot of ways. The writing style was unique and flowy, and enjoyable. Tony - didn't like him at all. But I don't think I was supposed to. I liked Rami and the wives for the most part, but they did go back and forth SO much about their feelings for Tony that my head started to spin.



Overall, it was good. I am glad I read it and got a little insight into Polygamy that is popular in this country.

alia0ftheknife's review against another edition

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slow-paced

2.0

cat_s's review against another edition

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4.0

Niketche conta-nos a história de Rami, uma mulher que descobre que o marido tem várias amantes…e vai procurá-las.
É muito enternecedor no tema da solidariedade feminina e acho que uma excelente porta para entrar na cultura moçambicana (que eu desconhecia) e para sabermos sobre o papel que a mulher tem na sociedade, nesse país.

Tem uma escrita muito bonita, com muitas conexões com a natureza, mas, para mim, foi um bocadinho floreada demais. Acho que em certas partes acabou por ser repetitivo.

De forma geral, recomendo a leitura, sinto que aprendi muito e que há passagens que me vão ficar na cabeça.

rhodaj's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

rhaionfree's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25