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lost_goddess's review against another edition
3.0
I think people called it inspirational because it had a spiritual component. It's great that King Peggy did so much for Otuam, but in the book, nothing much happened for the 1st 60%. It was a bit of a slog.
So much graft and corruption is tied to religion. I guess no place is safe from it.
So much graft and corruption is tied to religion. I guess no place is safe from it.
flerpi's review against another edition
4.0
It's unlikely that this is an unbiased book, and parts are most likely exaggerated, but the book was interesting and gave a rough idea of what life it Otuam, Ghana is like. I enjoyed reading about the different culture, politics, and spiritual beliefs, and I hope that as the years progress, King Peggy will continue to be a good king, and not let the crown/title/power go to her head.
blueviolin's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I loved King Peggy. I remember seeing an interview with King Peggy a few years ago and thinking that I should track down this book, and I know now that my instinct was correct. Throughout the book, I was impressed by Peggy's spirit, her resolve, and her ass-kicking attitude. The way she faced down the corruption in her village was remarkable. She was determined to make positive changes and she did! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story about an incredible woman.
violinknitter's review against another edition
4.0
The jacket copy for this book is super misleading, BTW.
I've had this book in my TBR list for *ages,* ever since I saw Julie Davis' review of it. I don't know why I hadn't picked it up before… too many books in the world, I guess? Anyway, I loved the Audible version of it. Great narration.
I've had this book in my TBR list for *ages,* ever since I saw Julie Davis' review of it. I don't know why I hadn't picked it up before… too many books in the world, I guess? Anyway, I loved the Audible version of it. Great narration.
kategci's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very interesting, well written story about a secretary in the Ghanian embassy learning that she has become king of her village in Africa and how she rises to that challenge. Peggy is a very spiritual woman working hard in a large city, but she is very much alone at times. She calls her brother in Australia daily to help him keep his life going in the right direction, and she stayed in touch with her relatives back in her native village, Ottuam in Ghana. When she receives the call informing her that she is to be their next king, her life begins to change in many ways. Her story of change, as well as the changes that occur in the village are kept me reading this unusual story. Unlike some narrative nonfiction, this story kept moving and did not bog down in the details. Alexander McCall Smith who writes the First Lady's Detective Agency series, set in Botswana, wrote a blurb for the book and indeed, this book reminded me of his stories in terms of pace and description.
spinstah's review against another edition
4.0
This is the One Maryland, One Book selection for this year - the connection to the state being that King Peggy herself lives in Silver Spring. She is a secretary at the Ghanaian embassy when she receives a call letting her know she has been selected as the new king of her hometown in Ghana, Otuam. The story follows her first couple of years as king, as she unravels what's been going on in the town prior to her kingship, and decides to dedicate herself to bringing a variety of services and opportunities to the town - from clean water to educational opportunities and more. All the while she is mostly ruling via cell phone, with her council of elders and her regent actually taking care of day to day life (or not, as the case may be) in Otuam while she continues working at the embassy. This was a fascinating window into a culture that I didn't know much about, and King Peggy is a very strong and dedicated woman who you can tell is going to do good for her town no matter what obstacles may come her way.
electablue's review against another edition
4.0
This story of how Peggy Bartels, a secretary at the Ghanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. became the king of village in Ghana made for a great read. I knew almost nothing about Ghana and learned a lot about its history and the book is made up of all kinds of characters. Anyone who enjoyed the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency should enjoy this true life tale.
rebeccacider's review against another edition
4.0
Took me long enough to finish, but I really enjoyed this memoir, an engrossing insider's look at Ghanaian culture. I learned so much about this part of West Africa, especially the experience of living in an animistic religious system.
The episodes and characters are slightly cartoonish and played up for comic effect - although part of this is simply the wackiness of life in a small fishing village. For the most part Bartels and her coauthor humanize the setting and characters, and the result is a book that feels personal, not saccharine or exotic.
I would definitely recommend the audio version, as reader J. Karen Thomas does a fantabulous job with the voice-acting.
A fun, satisfying read that gives life to a (willfully) misunderstood region of the world.
The episodes and characters are slightly cartoonish and played up for comic effect - although part of this is simply the wackiness of life in a small fishing village. For the most part Bartels and her coauthor humanize the setting and characters, and the result is a book that feels personal, not saccharine or exotic.
I would definitely recommend the audio version, as reader J. Karen Thomas does a fantabulous job with the voice-acting.
A fun, satisfying read that gives life to a (willfully) misunderstood region of the world.