wazua Tue, Feb 4, 2025
Welcome Guest Search | Active Topics | Log In | Register

So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba
Um Sayala
#1 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 2:41:35 PM
Rank: Veteran


Joined: 12/17/2010
Posts: 1,163
Location: Sudan
Good People, am tired of politics today. so I opted to recollect the good old book i read a long time ago. In brief,

"So Long a Letter, Senegalese author Mariama Bâ's first novel, won the prestigious Noma Award for Publishing in Africa soon after its publication in 1980. The epistolary novel traces the story of Ramatoulaye Fall, a recent widow. She recounts how her husband, Moudou, betrayed their marriage by taking a young second wife. Ramatoulaye records her anger at both Moudou and the customs that allow polygamy in her long letter to her lifelong friend Aissatou. In her letter, she muses on how Aissatou's marriage was ruined, also by polygamy. Ramatoulaye and Aissatou, both highly educated women, seem victimized by the traditional customs that deny women status equal to that of men. However, as Ramatoulaye relates, each woman is able to become successfully independent; neither accepts the position of submissive wife. Even while railing against her fate, Ramatoulaye also takes comfort in many traditional values......

Anybody joining me?
"Peace is our profession, War is our business" ...Unknown
ali
#2 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 3:09:50 PM
Rank: Veteran


Joined: 6/11/2008
Posts: 892
Havent read the bk bt i'd want to.
Sounds good.
For in him (Jesus) we live and move and have our being-Acts 17:28
Um Sayala
#3 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 4:01:31 PM
Rank: Veteran


Joined: 12/17/2010
Posts: 1,163
Location: Sudan
a very nice book indeed.

http://www.bookrags.com/...-solongletter/intro.html
"Peace is our profession, War is our business" ...Unknown
wa P
#4 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 4:07:14 PM
Rank: Member


Joined: 5/26/2009
Posts: 326
Location: Nairobi
This book is the real Gem. Having read about 60% of all those 'African writers series', Mariama Ba's So Long A Letter is immortal.

I still use Mawdo Ba's refrain - 'All or nothing. Adieu', and Aissatou's - 'clothed with nothing but dignity, i go my way.'

This book is a must read for all - moreso the ladies.
seppuku
#5 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 4:25:17 PM
Rank: Veteran


Joined: 5/11/2010
Posts: 918
My father always told me about the book when I was growing up. Never got round to reading it though, to some degree because he didn't own it. I guess it's about time... Interestingly, last time the book crossed my mind was when I saw a pub in, I think it was Chavakali, christened Mariama Bar. Trust Kenyans!
Learn first to treat your time as you would your money, then treat your money as you do your time.
Um Sayala
#6 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 6:31:46 PM
Rank: Veteran


Joined: 12/17/2010
Posts: 1,163
Location: Sudan
wa P wrote:
This book is the real Gem. Having read about 60% of all those 'African writers series', Mariama Ba's So Long A Letter is immortal.

I still use Mawdo Ba's refrain - 'All or nothing. Adieu', and Aissatou's - 'clothed with nothing but dignity, i go my way.'

This book is a must read for all - moreso the ladies.


@ wa P at least am getting my age mates.
@ Supukku, Dad is always right, look for the book broda.
"Peace is our profession, War is our business" ...Unknown
Apple Bees
#7 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 10:38:59 PM
Rank: Member


Joined: 7/5/2008
Posts: 390
that was a nice read. The opening lines were: I am beginning to write this diary. my prop in my distress. our long association has taught me that confiding in others allays pain....................
wa P
#8 Posted : Tuesday, March 20, 2012 6:26:35 PM
Rank: Member


Joined: 5/26/2009
Posts: 326
Location: Nairobi
Um Sayala wrote:
wa P wrote:
This book is the real Gem. Having read about 60% of all those 'African writers series', Mariama Ba's So Long A Letter is immortal.

I still use Mawdo Ba's refrain - 'All or nothing. Adieu', and Aissatou's - 'clothed with nothing but dignity, i go my way.'

This book is a must read for all - moreso the ladies.


@ wa P at least am getting my age mates.
@ Supukku, Dad is always right, look for the book broda.


@Um Sayala - Let's keep this warm. Its refreshing to talk about books and the writers...Have you read any by James Michener?
Users browsing this topic
Guest (2)
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Copyright © 2025 Wazua.co.ke. All Rights Reserved.