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itspeachie's review against another edition
reflective
sad
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
africanbookaddict's review
5.0
Same rating this time around, because of the writing. Very poignant.
Interesting that I'm re-reading this at a time where I can deeply relate to Ramatoulaye & Daouda's situation - sad. My 1st reading of this classic was when I was a junior in college (2011 - 10 years ago!). At the time, I read this with a semi-heavy heart as well.
Senegalese patriarchy, Islam, the male ego, mid-life crisis, greed, loneliness, mother-daughter relationships, feminism, sisterhood, courage vs cowardice, poverty, modernity vs tradition, colonialism, death, misogyny and family customs take center stage in 'So Long a Letter.'
The only issue I had was Ramatoulaye's slight misogynistic views on women's sexuality and pleasure. It wasn't super surprised given the character's overall way of life and the setting/timing of the story, but I couldn’t help but feel those sentiments were Bâ's as well. But then I understand that those sentiments further showed how women of that time were grappling with the challenges modernity brought - seen especially in contrasting Dada and Ramatoulaye's realities with respect to marriage and gender roles.
Last but not least, I loooove how Ramatoulaye's mother judged her daughter's suiters by their teeth! Midline diastema (of Modou - the wide gap between his two upper incisors as a sign of 'the primacy of sensuality in the individual') versus closely set teeth (of Daouda - which won her mother's confidence). As a Dentist, this was super fascinating to me!
Interesting that I'm re-reading this at a time where I can deeply relate to Ramatoulaye & Daouda's situation - sad. My 1st reading of this classic was when I was a junior in college (2011 - 10 years ago!). At the time, I read this with a semi-heavy heart as well.
Senegalese patriarchy, Islam, the male ego, mid-life crisis, greed, loneliness, mother-daughter relationships, feminism, sisterhood, courage vs cowardice, poverty, modernity vs tradition, colonialism, death, misogyny and family customs take center stage in 'So Long a Letter.'
The only issue I had was Ramatoulaye's slight misogynistic views on women's sexuality and pleasure. It wasn't super surprised given the character's overall way of life and the setting/timing of the story, but I couldn’t help but feel those sentiments were Bâ's as well. But then I understand that those sentiments further showed how women of that time were grappling with the challenges modernity brought - seen especially in contrasting Dada and Ramatoulaye's realities with respect to marriage and gender roles.
Last but not least, I loooove how Ramatoulaye's mother judged her daughter's suiters by their teeth! Midline diastema (of Modou - the wide gap between his two upper incisors as a sign of 'the primacy of sensuality in the individual') versus closely set teeth (of Daouda - which won her mother's confidence). As a Dentist, this was super fascinating to me!
juliawndrlnd's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
nafisahajjateeumar's review against another edition
5.0
This book feels like listening to my grandmother. Ramatoulaye is such a wise, self-assured, opinionated and passionate narrator that I found myself wishing I had known her. The contemporary knowledge and the social critique in the letter make me want to stop shutting myself off from current events so that I can also have these discussions with my bestie.
There are many defining moments in Ramatoulaye's narration of events in her life as a wife, and a mother, and many learnable lessons. I feel like this is a book that I'll often come back to.
There are many defining moments in Ramatoulaye's narration of events in her life as a wife, and a mother, and many learnable lessons. I feel like this is a book that I'll often come back to.
whynotcherries's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anouk_i's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emiliemhr's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75