The Ghanaian Literature Week is back! Kinna of Kinna Reads
will be hosting the 3rd rendition. The purpose of this week is to discover or
rediscover works by Ghanaian writers. This year’s event is scheduled
for Monday, November 11th – Sunday,
November 17th so head over to Kinna's blog to see what's going on.
I first learned about Tuesday’s Child by Mary Ashun from Reading Pleasure who reviewed the book. Thanks, Celestine for hooking me up to this book and the Ghanaian Literature Week.
Blurb
Mary Ashun's Tuesday's Child is the story of a
girl born in the small West African country of Ghana. She has big dreams, a
large boisterous, extended family and a tendency towards asking questions that
children, especially girls aren't supposed to ask. Boarding school days,
interminable church services and a famine that leaves her thin enough to be an
'80's model are all narrated with such candid humor that it's hard to believe
there were any scars. Now older, wiser, with a family of her own and living in
North America, she embarks on a journey back to Ghana. The mission: to make
peace. Who with? The answer might surprise you and this is why this is balanced
African storytelling at its best!
My
Review
Tuesday’s
Child is a memoir about her life in Ghana and the UK. I found it to be engaging
and real. Throughout the book I chuckled at the antics of the
girl Ms. Ashun once was. Don’t get me started on how funny I found the
grandmother who sounded like a wonderful, fearless, woman. Reading about her made me wish I could
have known her.
Ms.
Ashun’s writing is clear, direct and entertaining. Although I tend to be a
reader of fiction, this memoir caught and kept my attention and heart. She shows us what Ghana was in her experience
and I love her honesty.
There
were a few scenes which made me angry such as the one that included the toilet and another with the male teachers. A couple of her memories made me tear up, such as the airport scene,
because I could so easily relate. Mary was an intelligent, innovative, funny
child. How could she be any different from her grandmother when “the child of a
lion is a lion.” I love that line.
My
only complaint is that I wanted to read more about Ms. Ashun’s life, she
skipped from college to being an adult. I would have liked to read more about
those years.
I
give Tuesday’s Child five out of five bars of Ghana's Golden Tree chocolate bars.
I
purchased this book from Amazon.com
Happy
reading.
Good Review, Nana. Sounds like a wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy. It was.
DeleteI'm so glad you read this book. I went to primary school with Mary and while she attended Achimota I attended Aburi Girls. But we've remained fast and good friends ever since. She is truly a remarkable and intelligent woman. I also enjoyed Tuesday's Child. I could identify and even remember some of the events and scenes mentioned in the book. I'm glad you reviewed this memoir for the Ghana Literature Week.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool, Celestine. Did you know her grandmother too?
DeleteOh, an excellent review, Nana. And you are very welcome. I'm just happy that you enjoyed every bit of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Celestine.
DeleteThank you Nana Prah for bringing this novel to my attention. I have added it to my TBR. Love your review. Thanks to you both.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Mary. I pretty sure you will enjoy it.
DeleteThis sounds like a sweet and entertaining read. I'll look it up. Funny that this was the post I came across, as I just finished sending an email to a friend who is currently in Ghana visiting her dad and extended family. I'm not sure what city she's in, though.
ReplyDeleteThe Warrior Muse
That is so cool that your friend is in Ghana. There are no such thing as coincidences, right?
DeleteSo I have a soft copy of this book. The problem is that it is tedious reading soft-copies without a reader. However, I hope to tackle this book in December, hope to.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I feel so honored having you on my blog. I'm actually giggling. Readers are a great investment, especially with the number of books you like to read.
DeleteI love you rating systems. If only one could consume all the chocolates used in the rating!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing Tuesday's Child and for participating in Ghanaian Literature Week. Mary Ashun is indeed fascinating. Most importantly she's also a promoter and advocate for writing.
Lol, Kinna. It was a pleasure to participate. Thanks for hosting it. I look forward to participating next year.
DeleteNana Prah - I am totally humbled to read your review - thank you sooooo much for the kind words and I'm eating the chocolate bars...seriously!!! I'm in Ghana right now, sitting in traffic on the Haatso road...na wa oh! I was on Writers Project last Sunday night to read from my latest: "Serwa Akoto's Diary" - email me - asabeaashun@gmail.com...will send you an e-copy yah? Keep up the good work!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear from you. Enjoy the Kingsbite, but remember to get some exercise. I'll definitely drop you an e-mail.
DeleteThanks for this review, Nana. I was in the Citi studio with Mary when she read excerpts from Serwa Akoto's Diary and the responses were overwhelming. I'm hoping to collect her works for my library.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Afrilingual. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on "Serwa Akoto's Diary." I hope you've already added Tuesday's Child to your library.
Delete