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themoonphoenix's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Excrement, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Medical content
ocit's review against another edition
5.0
Starting the reading, I was skeptical that I would be reading from the point of view of a Peace Corps volunteer with a savior complex. Instead, what I found was a volunteer who stayed true to their character, a powerful friendship growing, and the hardships of a midwife in Mali.
Holloway told the story of Monique in such a beautiful way, it felt like I knew Monique myself.
Holloway told the story of Monique in such a beautiful way, it felt like I knew Monique myself.
rachelb36's review against another edition
4.0
This story is told by Kris, a Peace Corps volunteer who spends two years in Mali working alongside native midwife Monique. The focus is on the friendship they develop, rather than on their work, which I really enjoyed.
As a Christian, the most interesting aspect of reading this was comparing their approaches to religion and morality to my own. The author grew up going to a Presbyterian church because it's what her family did, though she wasn't sure what she believed. Monique's relatives converted to Catholicism in a place that is dominated by a mixture of Islam and tribal religion.
At one point, Monique tells Kris, "Not to worry, Fatumata [Kris' Malian name]. It is all the same if you pray to one God or another, because it is the same God. All religions are the same. But for me, it is the Christians who give more. It is the Christians who believe in helping the poor. Why else would our White Fathers and Sisters have come all the way from your lands to Mali, eh?" (p.80)
Kris goes on to explain that most of the French Catholic missionaries in Mali allowed for "some mixing in of traditional beliefs," such as wearing protective amulets in church or performing animal sacrifices.
This really stuck out to me and was a reminder that Christians of any culture need to be preaching the entire gospel, which includes the fact that worshiping Jesus alone is the path to the true God. All gods are not equal.
Toward the beginning of the book, the author mentions that Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world and goes on to say, "They don't have favorite clothes and favorite foods. They wear what they have and eat what is available." (p.2) I really loved this quote!
While I definitely don't agree with many of the beliefs and choices of the author or the people mentioned in the book, it's always interesting and worthwhile to listen to the stories and perspectives of others.
As a Christian, the most interesting aspect of reading this was comparing their approaches to religion and morality to my own. The author grew up going to a Presbyterian church because it's what her family did, though she wasn't sure what she believed. Monique's relatives converted to Catholicism in a place that is dominated by a mixture of Islam and tribal religion.
At one point, Monique tells Kris, "Not to worry, Fatumata [Kris' Malian name]. It is all the same if you pray to one God or another, because it is the same God. All religions are the same. But for me, it is the Christians who give more. It is the Christians who believe in helping the poor. Why else would our White Fathers and Sisters have come all the way from your lands to Mali, eh?" (p.80)
Kris goes on to explain that most of the French Catholic missionaries in Mali allowed for "some mixing in of traditional beliefs," such as wearing protective amulets in church or performing animal sacrifices.
This really stuck out to me and was a reminder that Christians of any culture need to be preaching the entire gospel, which includes the fact that worshiping Jesus alone is the path to the true God. All gods are not equal.
Toward the beginning of the book, the author mentions that Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world and goes on to say, "They don't have favorite clothes and favorite foods. They wear what they have and eat what is available." (p.2) I really loved this quote!
While I definitely don't agree with many of the beliefs and choices of the author or the people mentioned in the book, it's always interesting and worthwhile to listen to the stories and perspectives of others.
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
5.0
Heart wrenching story of a woman who goes to Mali and befriends a mid-wife in a village. I couldn't put it down and it makes me want to get involved in women's rights issues.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
5.0
A book about Africa that isn't depressing! Truly, I did not think that such a thing existed, and I'm very glad that it does.
liralen's review against another edition
5.0
Much of the author's success in writing this book comes down, in my opinion, to her focus: Monique. It would have been easy to open the story with the author's arrival in Mali, or her Peace Corps training, or a scene of an awkward cultural misunderstanding (there are some misunderstandings, but they're secondary), but instead she structures the book around her time with Monique.
At times I wished that I hadn't read the introduction -- it makes for such a bittersweet book! -- but I loved reading about the development of their friendship, and the things the author could and couldn't do something about, and Monique's increasing responsibilities within the community. It surprised me how close the author and Monique grew, but I suppose the author's outside perspective made her, in some ways, an easier person to confide in. So much societal complexity, which manifests in sometimes surprising ways.
I'd had the book on my to-read list for a while, and obtained a copy five months before reading it, but it wasn't at all what I'd expected -- it was much better, much more nuanced.
At times I wished that I hadn't read the introduction -- it makes for such a bittersweet book! -- but I loved reading about the development of their friendship, and the things the author could and couldn't do something about, and Monique's increasing responsibilities within the community. It surprised me how close the author and Monique grew, but I suppose the author's outside perspective made her, in some ways, an easier person to confide in. So much societal complexity, which manifests in sometimes surprising ways.
I'd had the book on my to-read list for a while, and obtained a copy five months before reading it, but it wasn't at all what I'd expected -- it was much better, much more nuanced.
bcbartuska's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this woman's story of her two years in the Peace Corps. I loved that the author joyfully pushed the spotlight away from herself and instead celebrated the life of her host and friend, Monique. This memoir covers the life of a midwife in Mali, but it covers more than that, too. It is the story of a village, a culture. It is the story of friendship and the ties that bind hearts together. Whether or not you agree with the author's worldview, this book will make you laugh, cry, and think. Highly recommend!
hannah_em's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story of friendship. I was touched by the dedication amid continuous loss by Monique. The author did a great job highlighting women's rights, health issues, and general history while re telling her time with the Peace Corps.
sssnoo's review against another edition
5.0
This will be one of my top books for 2018 I am confident. I am so glad this book was written;that Kris Holloway honored her friend’s work and life by writing it down so it will not evaporate from existance as happens to the lives of so many amazing, dedicated, hard working women. It is also refreshing to read a book about a westerner’s experiences in an African country such as Mali, where the author writes from sincere friendship and respect for the culture she visited. These women worked side by side, with Kris subordinate to Monique, humbly learning about her culture and offering help with community originated projects. This is how international exchanges should work, in my opinion. How thye become transformative experiences. This is not a book about how to “save” Africa. No no no. This is a book about a woman honoring her dearest friend. It offers the reader a glimpse of how, when a person goes to live and work or volunteer in the developing world they can honor that experience by building genuine friendships and relationships built on mutual respect and curiosity.
This book reminded me of my time living and working near Nairobi under the guidance of Phyllis, a local veterinarian who also became my friend and constant companion while I was there. I remember the tea breaks sitting with the other women from work; women with many different roles, listening to them discuss their lives, the social constaints for women - just so much. It all pored back to me as I read Monique. I was transformed by those months in Kenya; it was a fork in my road that forever changed my destiny. Perhaps that is why I loved this book so much, but I predict any woman who is touched by friendships and curious about womens lives in other regions of the world would find this an extraordinary book.
This book reminded me of my time living and working near Nairobi under the guidance of Phyllis, a local veterinarian who also became my friend and constant companion while I was there. I remember the tea breaks sitting with the other women from work; women with many different roles, listening to them discuss their lives, the social constaints for women - just so much. It all pored back to me as I read Monique. I was transformed by those months in Kenya; it was a fork in my road that forever changed my destiny. Perhaps that is why I loved this book so much, but I predict any woman who is touched by friendships and curious about womens lives in other regions of the world would find this an extraordinary book.
anjreading's review against another edition
5.0
Kris Holloway lived in a remote village in Mali from 1989-1991 while volunteering with the Peace Corps. She served as an assistant to Monique, a young midwife, and over the two years the women became close friends. Holloway strikes the perfect tone in her memoir, detailing the poverty and hardship of much of life in West Africa without either sounding above it or making it all about her. Monique is incredibly inspiring in her endless work to improve the health and lives of the women around her. This is a beautiful and heartfelt book.