So Long a Letter, by Mariama Ba, is written as a letter by Ramatoulaye, a Senegalese widow, to her friend Aissatou over the course of the confinement period after her husband's funeral. In the letter, she recounts her past and that of her friend, with the main focus on their marriages. Both Ramatoulaye and Aissatou have had husbands who took second wives, and the author explores the consequences of these relationships. In both marriages, the first wives had no say in the decision of the husband to marry again- one decides to divorce and leave the relationship, the other decides to stick with the polygamous marriage despite the fact her husband has essentially deserted his first family for the new.
Interspersed within this story are some remarkably insightful passages about the role of women, teachers and education, the relationship between a mother and her adult children, and some very interesting observation about Senegal (both the country and culture).
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would heartily recommend it to anyone. It's one I that will read again (and again...)
Interspersed within this story are some remarkably insightful passages about the role of women, teachers and education, the relationship between a mother and her adult children, and some very interesting observation about Senegal (both the country and culture).
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would heartily recommend it to anyone. It's one I that will read again (and again...)
3 comments:
Sounds fascinating. Did you find it at the library, or did you have to buy it? (Book group book, maybe?)
This would be an excellent book group book. Unfortunately, the library doesn't have it. I bought a copy (but would be happy to loan it out if anyone's interested!)
I got this from pbs a few days ago, and I'm looking forward to reading it. Glad you liked it!
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