74 reviews for:

Muutoksia – eräs rakkaustarina

Ama Ata Aidoo

3.7 AVERAGE

teresa_a's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

alphareads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

On Rereading Classics — Changes by Ama Ata Aidoo.

As a Creative Writing student, I have often engaged in discussions about form, style, and what it means to write from “home”—writing in a style that is distinct to my culture/influenced by my subject matter. Personally, I do not believe there is an African way of writing, however, I can’t argue the fact that there is some distinctness that exists—overtly or not—between Western prose and prose from African writers. And I say this careful not to join the ongoing debate about the fact. 

I frequently reflect on the notion that possessing a distinct style—however one defines it—may not suffice in the competitive landscape of commercial book publishing. That my readers might not be in the Western market, especially for my ongoing novel. I sometimes get a sense of this from my workshops.

While my workshop environment itself does not impose—because the program understands the importance of diverse styles and backgrounds and therefore, encourages accommodation for these—I fear have been impressionable in my thinking.  Or maybe not.

“Maybe if I try to write like them, they will get it”. I mostly conclude. It has been a battle—a minor one, I must add. 

Ergo, I find the need to reread classics lately a useful exercise.

Reading Changes by Ama Ata Aidoo has reminded me of what it looks like to be authentic in your style, be unique in your voice, stay close to your roots (not being too impressionable to please the Western market) and still amass a global readership.

Safe to say this conversation extends beyond the quality of writing or any perceived shortfalls in her prose—if there are any. I know for sure mine does lol—but the fact that when you pick Ama Ata Aidoo’s works, you immediately know there is something unconventional about it. Something unapologetic about its existence, in whatever form or style. And that is the beauty of my encounter with her and other great writers from Africa, lately. 

In Changes, Ama Ata Aidoo inaugurates a new realist style in African literature. Aidoo’s portrayal of contemporary life in Accra offers an authentic depiction of the societal and personal challenges her characters navigate. 

Aidoo develops a narrative voice that combines empathy with critical observation. This nuanced tone enables readers to engage deeply with the characters' struggles while also encouraging reflection on broader societal issues. For example, Esi’s choice to leave her first marriage and enter a polygamous relationship is presented with both understanding and critique. Aidoo does not merely present these decisions as right or wrong but instead explores their complexities.

Changes has this distinctive narrative style, which forfeits conventional prose style to embrace a form that is not “prose-like”. It reads like someone has sat you down to tell you a story with no care for flowery language, yet not devoid of literariness, a style reminiscent of oral storytelling traditions. 

Getting re-introduced to her “style” of writing—or at least, of writing Changes—has reminded me of what is important. And it is not style—and whether or not readers can relate to it.

slipestone's review against another edition

4.0

gave me a good insight on modern life in Accra

zakore's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

Esi’s first husband is not just overbearing but a symbol of the patriarchal system she desperately wants to escape. In an effort to reclaim her autonomy and find excitement, she gets married to Ali in a polygamous marriage. 

Esi realises even this unconventional arrangement cannot shield her from the societal and personal compromises that come with love and marriage. 

An eye opening short read to be honest. 

jilianh's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.5

It has been a while since I finished this so I don't have as many specifics as I'd prefer, but-

Overall I enjoyed this book. I felt like I got a good glimpse into the Ghanan society and culture surrounding our protagonist. I didn't connect well with the characters but it did provoke a lot of thoughts on feminism, societal expectations, and our own desires and their potential consequences in the pursuit of happiness and fulfilment.

 I really appreciated that in navigating some of what our protagonist does to steer her life how she wants it, we still see the imperfections that inevitably follow. There is not a single person with a perfect life, perfect romance, perfect family, and perfect career. Something always has to give, and I think the author did a great job of realistically portraying what one sacrifice in pursuit of something else can lead to.

vrop's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

aprilshelene's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Liked the writing style and it was an interesting blend of religion and culture- but God, all of the men sucked and the women deserved so much better. 

annie_reads_books's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

sene's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

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

4.25

three_martini_lunch's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes