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elizabeth_juliet's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
dinipandareads's review against another edition
4.0
This was really different to what I’ve been reading lately but it was a refreshing read that I think many readers, especially young ones, will enjoy. I personally saw a lot of my international upbringing reflected in Abena’s experience and that is actually what made me choose my current career path. 3.5 stars rounded up
Abena is a young Ghanaian girl who comes from a very privileged and wealthy family. She goes to the American school, has international friends, belongs to the ‘rich circle’, and spends the majority of her time hanging out in malls, buying imported products and not really knowing much about her country. One summer she gets sent to live out the weekdays with her aunt Lydia while her mother has gone to London to give birth and her father works at his clinic. Abena’s meant to help her aunt at her store at the local market and what starts as an exercise in ‘torture and boredom’ turns into a life-changing experience when she meets Faiza, a kayayoo or female market porter.
I really loved watching the friendship form between Abena and Faiza. It’s written with such honest emotion and heart and it was clear how important their relationship was to each other. It was wonderful seeing Abena go through her eye-opening journey as she really immerses herself in the local market and learns about the rich mix of cultures within Ghana. She goes through such a humbling experience and it was lovely to see how open she was to learn about how different people's experiences can be coming from different backgrounds. There were some really sweet moments with the other ladies in the market place and it was so easy to visualise because it reminded me of those feel-good moments in heartwarming movies when something great happens at the pinnacle of a story!
Mamle Wolo’s writing was beautiful in its simplicity and she really made Ghana come alive with her vibrant descriptions of the bustling market, rich foods, mixed languages and varied customs. I really appreciated learning about the socio-cultural aspects of the country alongside Abena and I know that what we’re shown in this story probably only touches the tip of the iceberg.
I will say that the first half of the book ends rather abruptly and it felt quite bittersweet but since there was a part two, I had a feeling I knew what was coming and I wasn’t wrong. The second part takes place 15 years in the future and while it was obviously meant to be a happy moment, I did feel like it was too simplistic and almost unrealistic? Could the journey that Faiza experiences actually happen in real life? Yes, probably. But I felt like the way it was written in this story was almost too perfect, if that makes sense? Ultimately though, I did enjoy this story. It had a great heartwarming friendship and I also loved learning just how rich and diverse the Ghanian culture is.
Abena is a young Ghanaian girl who comes from a very privileged and wealthy family. She goes to the American school, has international friends, belongs to the ‘rich circle’, and spends the majority of her time hanging out in malls, buying imported products and not really knowing much about her country. One summer she gets sent to live out the weekdays with her aunt Lydia while her mother has gone to London to give birth and her father works at his clinic. Abena’s meant to help her aunt at her store at the local market and what starts as an exercise in ‘torture and boredom’ turns into a life-changing experience when she meets Faiza, a kayayoo or female market porter.
I really loved watching the friendship form between Abena and Faiza. It’s written with such honest emotion and heart and it was clear how important their relationship was to each other. It was wonderful seeing Abena go through her eye-opening journey as she really immerses herself in the local market and learns about the rich mix of cultures within Ghana. She goes through such a humbling experience and it was lovely to see how open she was to learn about how different people's experiences can be coming from different backgrounds. There were some really sweet moments with the other ladies in the market place and it was so easy to visualise because it reminded me of those feel-good moments in heartwarming movies when something great happens at the pinnacle of a story!
Mamle Wolo’s writing was beautiful in its simplicity and she really made Ghana come alive with her vibrant descriptions of the bustling market, rich foods, mixed languages and varied customs. I really appreciated learning about the socio-cultural aspects of the country alongside Abena and I know that what we’re shown in this story probably only touches the tip of the iceberg.
I will say that the first half of the book ends rather abruptly and it felt quite bittersweet but since there was a part two, I had a feeling I knew what was coming and I wasn’t wrong. The second part takes place 15 years in the future and while it was obviously meant to be a happy moment, I did feel like it was too simplistic and almost unrealistic? Could the journey that Faiza experiences actually happen in real life? Yes, probably. But I felt like the way it was written in this story was almost too perfect, if that makes sense? Ultimately though, I did enjoy this story. It had a great heartwarming friendship and I also loved learning just how rich and diverse the Ghanian culture is.
certified_book_lover's review
5.0
This is one of the most inspiring,heartfelt story I have ever read. Whoever thought a kaya girl could have a dream, pursue it and see it to fruition.
The author wrote it soooo beautifully that I just couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know how it will end.
It felt like watching it on the screen.
A page-turner and one worth recommending and ranting about.
“Every good lace deserves a good gele!”
The author wrote it soooo beautifully that I just couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know how it will end.
It felt like watching it on the screen.
A page-turner and one worth recommending and ranting about.
“Every good lace deserves a good gele!”
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