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anastasia86's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
klaky15_94's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cnversehigh's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
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
3.5
aljavi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
leakaroo's review against another edition
4.75
What a great piece of West-African feminist literature! Gave such amazing insight into the everyday life and struggles of Senegalese women. I especially enjoyed learning about their religious practices, such as widowers mourning their husband for 40 days, and also of the hypocritical nature of the religion that supports polygamy. Only reason it's not a 5 stars is because the narration sometimes didn't fit this format of a 'letter to a friend' (aka some explanations that would seem out of place if our main character was really sending this to her friend who already knows it all). But other than that, great story and writing overall, very pleased.
“Thus, to justify himself, he reduced young Nabou to a 'plate of food'. Thus, for the sake of 'variety', men are unfaithful to their wives. I was irritated."
ellenarcher22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
priscillia's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Dans une série de lettres ecrites durant sa idda, Ramatoulaye, veuve d'âge mûr, se remémore son passé : son enfance avec son amie Aïssatou, destinataire de sa lettre, sa rencontre avec son mari Modou, l'abandon de celui-ci lorsqu'il épouse une amie de sa fille et la rivalité entre les deux femmes. Au fil des lettres, Bâ critique la polygamie et philosophe sur la condition de la femme dans un Sénégal post-colonial qui tente de concilier modernité et tradition. C'était une fenêtre intéressante sur un pays que je ne connais pas beaucoup et Bâ manie très bien la langue mais j'ai trouvé le roman un peu trop prescriptif par moments, ce qui brisait la magie romanesque.
laurapoulosky's review against another edition
4.0
This is a classic of French African literature that it's a bit surprising I'd never read before. It's a short read, but rich in perspective about women's status in Senegal in the mid- to late 20th century. I enjoyed reading the protagonist's first-person voice in this long letter to her friend, reporting and reflecting on her life, marriage, motherhood, and uncertain future as a widow. I would definitely recommend this work to anyone interested in west African literature in French.
moneypenny96's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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