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year23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It’s hard to put into words the emotions this book evokes - rage, despair, hatred, agony. I had some notion of the practice of forced marriage and polygamy but this was one of the most raw portrayals of its damage and tyranny over women’s lives in this region (Camaroon). Your heart will break. I know these stories will stay with me for a long time.
But what stands out to me maybe most of all is this title, and it’s resonance in the way each woman chooses to fight back, to reclaim her self, her place, her choices. They are each impatient in a world determined to erase them with the command “Munyal”.
There’s so much to unpack in this short book - it’s so clearly an important text. I highly recommend though do check the content warnings.
But what stands out to me maybe most of all is this title, and it’s resonance in the way each woman chooses to fight back, to reclaim her self, her place, her choices. They are each impatient in a world determined to erase them with the command “Munyal”.
There’s so much to unpack in this short book - it’s so clearly an important text. I highly recommend though do check the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
lindcherry's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Miscarriage and Suicidal thoughts
big_mom's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug use
196books's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual violence
morybaby's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Miscarriage
pyronautphea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder
eri_s_library's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
This book slapped me straight in the face with a power I didn't expect. It's so casually written which makes it even more powerful. Narrated by three different women, with three different points of view on how forced marriage can be so challenging and rough for young women. Still, it is a heavy subject please make sure to check the tw before you start reading. If you know one of those guys that say that feminism is not necessary and say it's a just whim, make them read this book it'll show them how it's still very important nowadays and how unfair it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
thewordsdevourer's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
The Impatient provides a revelatory look into infuriating cultural customs in a part of the world that is rarely spotlighted, however as a novel I simply feel impartial to it.
The book definitely sheds light on the plight of women in Cameroon whose lives are controlled by familial expectations, strict religious doctrine, and sexist cultural traditions. I like how Amal depicts the oppressive environment that's created by men but upheld by all, with women being complicit through generational, lifelong socialization and pitted against one another, and particularly enjoy Safira's section of the book. The culture is vibrant here as well, and I learn more about local food, customs, beliefs, and way of life.
However, I am not too fond of the writing (either that or perhaps the translation) that seems juvenile at times despite its serious subject. The prose, in my opinion, doesn't really befit the story, and would've benefited from more layered complexity. And while I'm aware that the characters mirror reality, many of them come across as overly flat and one-dimensional, and their struggles - while infuriating and enraging - somehow fail to make much impact with me.
Although I'm personally impartial to the novel, this is still a relevatory read that achieved the author's aim of shedding light on oppressive and misogynistic cultural traditions.
The Impatient provides a revelatory look into infuriating cultural customs in a part of the world that is rarely spotlighted, however as a novel I simply feel impartial to it.
The book definitely sheds light on the plight of women in Cameroon whose lives are controlled by familial expectations, strict religious doctrine, and sexist cultural traditions. I like how Amal depicts the oppressive environment that's created by men but upheld by all, with women being complicit through generational, lifelong socialization and pitted against one another, and particularly enjoy Safira's section of the book. The culture is vibrant here as well, and I learn more about local food, customs, beliefs, and way of life.
However, I am not too fond of the writing (either that or perhaps the translation) that seems juvenile at times despite its serious subject. The prose, in my opinion, doesn't really befit the story, and would've benefited from more layered complexity. And while I'm aware that the characters mirror reality, many of them come across as overly flat and one-dimensional, and their struggles - while infuriating and enraging - somehow fail to make much impact with me.
Although I'm personally impartial to the novel, this is still a relevatory read that achieved the author's aim of shedding light on oppressive and misogynistic cultural traditions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Miscarriage
spellboundchapters's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mon dieu, quel livre incroyable. Je l'ai lu en une seule journée, et autant vous dire que si je n'avais rien eu d'autre à faire ce jour-là, je l'aurais sûrement lu d'une seule traite. L'écriture très fluide de l'autrice y est sans doute pour beaucoup.
Ce livre traite de la condition de la femme au Sahel, où leur seule utilité est d'être mariées vierges, faire la cuisine et s'occuper des enfants, et à qui on ne cesse de répéter d'être patientes. Il a beau être court, ça ne l'empêche pas d'aborder pas mal de sujets : entre violences, que ce soit physiques ou psychologiques, mariage forcé, viol conjugal et polygamie, on ne peut que se révolter à la lecture de ce roman.
Ce livre traite de la condition de la femme au Sahel, où leur seule utilité est d'être mariées vierges, faire la cuisine et s'occuper des enfants, et à qui on ne cesse de répéter d'être patientes. Il a beau être court, ça ne l'empêche pas d'aborder pas mal de sujets : entre violences, que ce soit physiques ou psychologiques, mariage forcé, viol conjugal et polygamie, on ne peut que se révolter à la lecture de ce roman.
"Je n'ai pas attendu d'être mariée pour suivre ce conseil de mon père. J'ai toujours entendu ce fameux munyal. Que de préjudices subis ! Je me demande quand j'ai entendu ce mot pour la première fois. Probablement dès ma naissance. On avait alors dû me chantonner : 'Patience, munyal, mon bébé ! Tu viens dans un monde fait de douleurs. Petite fille, si jeune et si impatiente ! Tu es une fille. Alors, munyal toute ta vie. Commence dès à présent ! Il est court le temps du bonheur pour une femme. Patience, ma fille, dès maintenant...'"
Ramla aurait dû se marier à un homme qu'elle aime, et espérait pouvoir poursuivre ses études afin de devenir pharmacienne. Son père va en décider autrement et la marier à un de ses partenaires d'affaires, un homme beaucoup plus vieux qu'elle, qui a déjà une épouse. Sa demi-soeur, Hindou, se voit mariée le même jour à son cousin, un homme violent et qui consomme énormément d'alcool et de drogues. Enfin, Safira, la coépouse de Ramla, qui ne comprend pas pourquoi son mari a décidé d'en épouser une autre après 20 ans, et qui va jalouser Ramla et tout faire pour se débarrasser d'elle.
"Ma coépouse est parée telle une mariée. Un pagne étincelant, de belles tresses, les mains et les pieds ornés de tatouages au henné. Mais je sens qu'elle fait un énorme effort pour rester calme. Ses lèvres affichent un léger sourire qui ne cache pas la tristesse de ses yeux. On dit qu'elle a fait une dépression à l'annonce de ce mariage, qu'elle a passé des journées entières à pleurer. Sans doute s'est-elle ressaisie grâce au soutien de sa famille ou a-t-elle tout simplement admis que rien ni personne ne pourrait détourner son époux de ce projet de mariage, dont toute la ville a fait des gorges chaudes.
Ses yeux m'inspectent et me transpercent. Nos regards se croisent. Et la haine que je lis dans les siens me fait baisser les miens."
Ce livre m'a fait encore plus prendre conscience de l'importance de la sororité. Dans cette société, les femmes sont constamment tournées l'une contre l'autre, que ce soit entre coépouses mais aussi entre femmes de la même famille. Elles ne peuvent se confier à quasiment personne et, si jamais elles le font, se voient minimiser leurs problèmes et dire que tout est de leur faute.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
lepasseportlitteraire's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage