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cosmiccloudbird's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
scienceworks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
booksbythewindow's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
(Full review to come)
Summary: Awu’s Story begins with the eponymous Awu, the second wife of Obame Afane, after the death of his first wife . While Obame mourns the death of the wife he loved and Awu reflects on her position in life, both as a wife and as a woman in the village, their lives are complicated by taking in a relative in trouble. Finding themselves at the centre of the tension between the old traditions of the village and the new generation, Awu and Obame develop a newfound respect for each other in their partnership until a tragedy upheaves the life they had built together.
Overall Thoughts: Awu’s Story is a very short narrative with a number of pivotal events depicted by Mintsa. However, one of the most interesting aspects of the novel for me was the interplay between the older generation, and those who hold to the old traditions, and the rest of the village, who are intrigued by the modern life that is encroaching on the village. Mintsa depicts all of this is a very matter-of-fact way, bringing the traditions to the readers attention whilst also pointing out the devastating flaws of the modern system being brought into the village. Through all this, it is the character of Awu which shines through on every page, even when she is in the background, as she quietly works towards building a life that is more in-keeping with her values. I enjoyed reading Awu’s Story and found it an interesting insight into the tension between the new and the old in Gabon. Although I would recommend Awu’s Story to anyone who is interested in reading more international literature and particularly women in translation, I would be careful about who I gave that recommendation to as I do think that the final third of the novel might prove to be too brutal for some.
Summary: Awu’s Story begins with the eponymous Awu, the second wife of Obame Afane, after the
Overall Thoughts: Awu’s Story is a very short narrative with a number of pivotal events depicted by Mintsa. However, one of the most interesting aspects of the novel for me was the interplay between the older generation, and those who hold to the old traditions, and the rest of the village, who are intrigued by the modern life that is encroaching on the village. Mintsa depicts all of this is a very matter-of-fact way, bringing the traditions to the readers attention whilst also pointing out the devastating flaws of the modern system being brought into the village. Through all this, it is the character of Awu which shines through on every page, even when she is in the background, as she quietly works towards building a life that is more in-keeping with her values. I enjoyed reading Awu’s Story and found it an interesting insight into the tension between the new and the old in Gabon. Although I would recommend Awu’s Story to anyone who is interested in reading more international literature and particularly women in translation, I would be careful about who I gave that recommendation to as I do think that the final third of the novel might prove to be too brutal for some.
octavia_cade's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I'm not entirely sure that the blurb I read on this book gave an accurate depiction of the contents. Yes, it's about a woman, Awu, who struggles with the traditions of her rural village and how they conspire to remove all agency from her life (the ceremony she undergoes as a new widow is absolutely horrific, and the stripping of all her resources so that they can be given to male family members is almost as disturbing to read). And that's done very well: the book, from what I gather from the very interesting introduction, is an invitation to critique the place of traditions (some beneficial, some not) in modern life - particularly those traditions that impact most heavily on women. As a feminist text, it's certainly effective... although I say that as someone who comes from a very different culture than Awu and Mintsa, so I can't answer for the impact it's had in Mintsa's own communities.
Back to the blurb, though: Awu is taken as a second wife, as Bella, the beloved first wife of their shared husband Obame, cannot conceive. I rather got the impression that the book would be focused on the relationship between the three people involved in this marriage, but Bella dies before three pages are up, ostensibly of a broken heart. The focus of the book, then, is less on the marriage than it is on Awu and her navigation of matrimony and widowhood. A second storyline, following Awu's twelve year old niece Ada, sexually abused by her schoolteachers and subsequently pregnant, echoes the theme of female exploitation in rural Gabon; this can be quite a grim read in places. As I said, though, it strikes me as a particularly effective one.
Back to the blurb, though: Awu is taken as a second wife, as Bella, the beloved first wife of their shared husband Obame, cannot conceive. I rather got the impression that the book would be focused on the relationship between the three people involved in this marriage, but Bella dies before three pages are up, ostensibly of a broken heart. The focus of the book, then, is less on the marriage than it is on Awu and her navigation of matrimony and widowhood. A second storyline, following Awu's twelve year old niece Ada, sexually abused by her schoolteachers and subsequently pregnant, echoes the theme of female exploitation in rural Gabon; this can be quite a grim read in places. As I said, though, it strikes me as a particularly effective one.
anetq's review
4.0
A twisting tale of love and family - the good and the bad kind, of society's expectations and secrets shared.
bookwomble's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.0
the_lyon_reads_tonight's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was part of my reading across Africa challenge for Gabon. This was a deeply sad book, highlighting some pretty intense gender disparity. Awu is an incredibly strong woman. As I read, I couldn’t help wondering what she would have made of herself had she been born in a different place or a different time. Her strength amid the story was heartening but didn’t overcome the deep crushing anger and sadness I felt while reading it.
It is a difficult read but I couldn’t tell how much of that was the translation. The descriptions were a little over detailed for me. Overall, a story that probably needs to be told but not one that I enjoyed reading.
It is a difficult read but I couldn’t tell how much of that was the translation. The descriptions were a little over detailed for me. Overall, a story that probably needs to be told but not one that I enjoyed reading.
serendipitysbooks's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Awu’s Story is a short, slender story with a simple, straightforward style but nevertheless packs a real punch. I was surprised at how this book managed to have such a big impact in so few words.
This Gabonese novel is the story of Awu, a seamstress, who becomes the second wife of Obame, a beloved schoolteacher, after he and his first wife were unable to conceive. The book follows Awu over the course of their marriage, especially looking at the impact and interaction of traditional Fang customs and beliefs with more modern ideas.
I will admit to being shocked by some of what I read. The birthing conditions in a local clinic and the attitudes of the midwife towards Awu’s young labouring niece were a shocking eye opener, while the horrific traditional treatment of Awu when she was widowed, struck me as abusive and barbaric. Modern practices, such as sending children away to boarding school were also shown to have negative effects. Watching Awu, navigate all this, deciding when and how to push back and when to just accept custom was fascinating, although I certainly wanted to cheer when she stood up firmly against that which she would not accept.
So far I’ve made this sound like a heavy book and in many ways it is. But it also has its humorous moments, most notably the farcical bureaucratic ineptitude involved in Obame attempting to claim his pension.
While the prose was mostly simple and straightforward I did really appreciate the use of embroidery as a metaphor for how Awu attempted to create her life. Comparisons between women’s fertility and land fertility were blunt and in some ways confronting, but did effectively communicate some pragmatic reasons why a man would seek a second wife.
Since I have little knowledge of Gabon and the Fang culture, I really appreciated the background information provided in the introduction which provided allowed me to place the book and it’s author in context and more fully appreciate my reading experience. I left the introduction to last and I’m glad I did since it gives away a lot of the story.
Definitely a book I’d recommend.
This Gabonese novel is the story of Awu, a seamstress, who becomes the second wife of Obame, a beloved schoolteacher, after he and his first wife were unable to conceive. The book follows Awu over the course of their marriage, especially looking at the impact and interaction of traditional Fang customs and beliefs with more modern ideas.
I will admit to being shocked by some of what I read. The birthing conditions in a local clinic and the attitudes of the midwife towards Awu’s young labouring niece were a shocking eye opener, while the horrific traditional treatment of Awu when she was widowed, struck me as abusive and barbaric. Modern practices, such as sending children away to boarding school were also shown to have negative effects. Watching Awu, navigate all this, deciding when and how to push back and when to just accept custom was fascinating, although I certainly wanted to cheer when she stood up firmly against that which she would not accept.
So far I’ve made this sound like a heavy book and in many ways it is. But it also has its humorous moments, most notably the farcical bureaucratic ineptitude involved in Obame attempting to claim his pension.
While the prose was mostly simple and straightforward I did really appreciate the use of embroidery as a metaphor for how Awu attempted to create her life. Comparisons between women’s fertility and land fertility were blunt and in some ways confronting, but did effectively communicate some pragmatic reasons why a man would seek a second wife.
Since I have little knowledge of Gabon and the Fang culture, I really appreciated the background information provided in the introduction which provided allowed me to place the book and it’s author in context and more fully appreciate my reading experience. I left the introduction to last and I’m glad I did since it gives away a lot of the story.
Definitely a book I’d recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual assault
kimber's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault