BOOKS FROM SENEGALSo Long a Letter
by Mariama Ba
Tags:
Set in Senegal
Female author
Description:
Written by award-winning African novelist Mariama Ba and translated from the original French, So Long a Letter has been recognized as one of Africa's 100 Best Books of the 20th Century. The brief narrative, written as an extended letter, is a sequence of reminiscences - some wistful, some bitter - recounted by recently widowed Senegalese school teacher Ramatoulaye Fall. Addressed to a lifelong friend, Aissatou, it is a record of Ramatoulaye's emotional struggle for survival after her husband betrayed their marriage by taking a second wife. This semi-autobiographical account is a perceptive testimony to the plight of educated and articulate Muslim women. Angered by the traditions that allow polygyny, they inhabit a social milieu dominated by attitudes and values that deny them status equal to men. Ramatoulaye hopes for a world where the best of old customs and new freedom can be combined. Considered a classic of contemporary African women's literature, So Long a Letter is a must-read for anyone interested in African literature and the passage from colonialism to modernism in a Muslim country.
Reviews:
(4 months ago) |
23 Jul, 2024
Mariama Bâ's So Long a Letter offers a poignant and insightful glimpse into the life of Senegalese women, revealing their struggles and resilience within a deeply rooted cultural and religious context. The novel's exploration of Senegalese traditions and the challenges faced by women provides a compelling and enlightening perspective on gender and identity in a changing society.
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