Reviews

Une Si Longue Lettre by Mariama Bâ

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careinthelibrary's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This morning I finished So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ for @esotericareads's book club where we've read women-authored classics under 250 pages. This petite novella (90 pages!) speaks loudly the talents of the author. The book club ends strong with this small one.

The writing!!! Outstanding. Striking. I was explaining to my husband how remarkably thoughtful every passage was, did a test flipping to random pages and reading from the first paragraph on the page. Every single one was a jewel.

Senegalese feminist writer Mariama Bâ needs more praise. Give her her flowers. I can't wait to read Scarlet Song which I feel confident will also be awe-inspiring.

"At that moment you tumbled from the highest rung of respect on which I have always placed you. Your reasoning, which makes a distinction, is unacceptable to me. I am stripping myself of your love, your name. Clothed in my dignity, the only worthy garment, I go my way."

"The power of books, this marvellous invention of astute human intelligence. Various signs associated with sounds that form a word. Juxtaposition of words which springs the idea, Thought, History, Science, Life. Sole instrument of interrelationships and of culture, unparalleled means of giving and receiving. Books knit generations together in the same continuing effort that leads to progress. They enabled you to better yourself. What society refused you, they granted."

"Friendship has splendours that love knows not. It grows stronger when crossed, whereas obstacles kill love. Friendship resists time, which wearies and severs couples. It has heights unknown to love."

Content Warnings

yc0210's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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

3.5

barnstormingbooks's review against another edition

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emotional slow-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

4.0

The final prompt on this odd and expanding reading challenge brought me to Senegal with Ba’s short novel (published in English in 1980). In this #BiteSizedRead structured as a very long letter. Ba lets the readers into the minds and homes of a Muslim woman attending the funeral of the husband who left her. Through the letter the protagonist compares her failed marriage to that of the friend she is addressing the letter. Both were women who worked to have it all, and both were rewarded with husbands that chose polegamy. The letters move from lofty thoughts of a woman’s place in larger society to the hurt of being set aside, to the power of realizing her power. This book was fascinating and so, so human.

jmpeck16's review against another edition

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4.0

This little book (not so long after all...) was heartbreaking but also such an interesting read. I felt completely immersed in the main character's world and furious at the injustice of her situation. Excellent read.

jrrkinittotolkien's review against another edition

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5.0

beautifully written and complex! I felt it meandered a bit at the end but I highly recommend! she has a lovely way of dissecting her emotions and about the hurt selfish men in polygamist relationships cause