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A review by booksbythewindow
Awu's Story: A Novel by Justine Mintsa, Therese Kuoh-Moukoury, Cheryl Toman
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.