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Reviews
The Sex Lives of African Women: Self-Discovery, Freedom, and Healing by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
anna_warde11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
One of the best books I've read in a long time. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did as I'm usually more of a fiction girlie but it was such an interesting, eye-openning and healing read. Each woman's account and story was so candid and felt so genuine, which can be rare to come by when talking about something as personal and intimate as sex and relationships. The writing style is super accessible and distinctive in creating an individual voice for each narrative.
As well as this, the diversity of the stories and experiences was really informative and eye-opening. It was so fascinating to get insights into other people's sexual experiences, kinks and preferences. It also felt really healing and validating to read about someone else who shares the same outlook on love and relationships as you do or to learn about what other options are out there. I really found myself hanging on every word these women said and felt so genuinely connected and invested in their lives. Would really recommend to anyone who has an interest in relationships and sex and in exploring what others and themselves feel towards it.
As well as this, the diversity of the stories and experiences was really informative and eye-opening. It was so fascinating to get insights into other people's sexual experiences, kinks and preferences. It also felt really healing and validating to read about someone else who shares the same outlook on love and relationships as you do or to learn about what other options are out there. I really found myself hanging on every word these women said and felt so genuinely connected and invested in their lives. Would really recommend to anyone who has an interest in relationships and sex and in exploring what others and themselves feel towards it.
luwa963's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
tatiana2207's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
abenajanet's review against another edition
4.0
“I want someone who can love me to the standard that I love”
More like 4.5 stars…Ms.Sekyiamah!!!! Just wow!! What a stunning work of art! Thank you! This is a much needed conversation! A much needed content among black women! I found myself wanting to read mote and more about the experiences of so many black/african women within the diaspora! How we are so much alike!!! How we are so much in need of community and being seen and heard!! You did that with this! Each and every one of these women told poignant, magnificent and powerful stories! I am in awe of this work and beyond grateful to live in a time where this work simply exists! Sex should never be a taboo! Sex should be celebrated, it should be talked about, it should be taught to the younger generation in a comprehensive manner of course! I found myself reflecting on what I know and what I do not know when it comes to sex. I have so much to learn and unlearn especially growing up in a culture that shames women for having premarital sex, for enjoying sex, or for simply daring to ask about sex! I could go on and on an on about how refreshing it was to read these individual stories and just being so impressed and in awe of this brilliant Ghanaian woman author! Highly recommend!! A must read!!
More like 4.5 stars…Ms.Sekyiamah!!!! Just wow!! What a stunning work of art! Thank you! This is a much needed conversation! A much needed content among black women! I found myself wanting to read mote and more about the experiences of so many black/african women within the diaspora! How we are so much alike!!! How we are so much in need of community and being seen and heard!! You did that with this! Each and every one of these women told poignant, magnificent and powerful stories! I am in awe of this work and beyond grateful to live in a time where this work simply exists! Sex should never be a taboo! Sex should be celebrated, it should be talked about, it should be taught to the younger generation in a comprehensive manner of course! I found myself reflecting on what I know and what I do not know when it comes to sex. I have so much to learn and unlearn especially growing up in a culture that shames women for having premarital sex, for enjoying sex, or for simply daring to ask about sex! I could go on and on an on about how refreshing it was to read these individual stories and just being so impressed and in awe of this brilliant Ghanaian woman author! Highly recommend!! A must read!!
kwaeisig's review
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I wish the book had more stories from cisgendered heterosexual women in loving relationships and positive sex lives & I also wish there were more representations of Black women from the diaspora from the USA.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Classism
I think this book makes us stop and think about what sex is and means for the diaspora of Black women across the globe. It has no one definition and is an ever changing concept and women age and grow and experience new things throughout their lives. The way sex is viewed starts young and many times children are having sexual acts among themselves which is disheartening and troublesome and difficult to acknowledge. As many parents work to shield their children from such exposure, somehow, they are still being exposed be it from the media or their peers or watching adult interactions/mannerisms. I think this book does a good job by highlighting the similarities in all of our differences as Black women and how at the end of the day, we all wants to be understood, respected, listened to, and honored, while also having the freedom to have guiltless shameless sex that ends in orgasm without regret, sexual assault, or rape. This books makes you think of the younger generation of children that are on the cusp of puberty and how they are being socialized to understand (or not understand) their bodies, the reproductive system, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex as an act, consent, and so much more. I can only hope that they are more knowledgeable than those that have come before them and are more powerful in how they navigate the world we all live in. Though some of the stories were quite sad, some were also motivational, relatable, and provided glimpses of hope for a better tomorrow. And for that I give thanks to the author for spending 5 years compiling these very real stories and sharing them.claire_nduta's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
bisoleil's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
whatscarlareading's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is such an important read. I found it inspiring, emotional, educational and powerful.
I found it was especially important to read about the sex lives of these Black women who are trans and on the LGBTQ+ spectrum that come from traditionally conservative countries.It was amazing to hear the stories of these women / fem presenting people who were given a voice through this book.
I don't rate non-fiction that are based on real life stories, as I don't think it fair to rate someone life or experience. However, this is a book I will definitely recommend to people and will be re-reading in the future.
I found it was especially important to read about the sex lives of these Black women who are trans and on the LGBTQ+ spectrum that come from traditionally conservative countries.It was amazing to hear the stories of these women / fem presenting people who were given a voice through this book.
I don't rate non-fiction that are based on real life stories, as I don't think it fair to rate someone life or experience. However, this is a book I will definitely recommend to people and will be re-reading in the future.