Some weeks ago there was some media buzz in Ghana surrounding the launch of a debut novel from a young Ghanaian writer named Ayesha Harruna Attah. The book was entitled Harmattan Rain which is an interesting oxymoron since rain during the Harmattan season is a unique occurrence. From what I heard on one of the radio stations, it chronicles the lives of 3 generations of Ghanaian women from before independence. I made a mental note to look for the book at some point in the future. However, the buzz around it continued and fellow Ghanablogger Kajsa highlighted it in a recent posting. Indeed, I became more curious. Finally, a tweet from my undergraduate college about Harmattan Rain virtually put me in my car bound straight for the Silverbird Bookshop in search of my copy. As it turns out, the author happened to attend my undergraduate alma mater Mount Holyoke College. Our times at MHC never overlapped since she was a member of class of 2005 and I course graduated erm...closer to the turn of the decade (*yikes*).Although I just started reading Harmattan Rain a few days ago, I'm already hooked. It is beautifully crafted, vivid and entertaining and I can't help but be amazed that this is the first novel from this young writer. Oh and I'm not plugging this book because it is written by a young Ghanaian woman or because she attended the same undergraduate college as me but rather because it is refreshingly brilliant.
15 comments:
Then read it I must!
it sounds wonderful. Any idea how us living in Europe can get hold of it?
Ohemaa,
Good to see you give a punt to one of the up and rising writers in Ghana.
The way you and Kajsa talk about this book make me want to get a copy.
My question is: is it a recommended read for men as it is for women? I don't know what I think of something that is gender-sensitive, like a male-bashing feminist propaganda.
I hope to get a copy somehow if it is a good read.
Wow, looks like a very interesting book! I am going to get my hands on a copy.
I'm actually very good friends with one of the author's close friends.
Its so refreshing to read some good quality ghanaian novels.
I'm currently also reading Harmattan Rain and I think it is a fairly good narrative.
@posekyere - I think it is a book that will appeal to both genders although the main characters are all women. In my opinion being gender sensitive is a good thing and feminists are not "male bashing". We bash the "social systems" that discriminate against women.
might add this to my summer reads. thanks for the plug.
@ Nana Yaw and Omo Oba: most definitely a must-read. Well, still very much in the beginning.
@Adaeze: I actually have no idea!!
@Posekyere: She is definitely an up and coming author to watch out for! It may be about women but is not specifically targeting women
@Anon: Indeed, it is refreshing to read good quality Ghanaian books!
@Nana; great to see you are reading it too. Would really like to hear how you find it overall when you have finished. Your comment on gender sensitivity.. on-point and eloquent!
I shall get myself a copy, and review it for you. Thanks.
Thanks Pen Powder, it would be great if you could review it too!
Hi Abena,
Overall a good book and one I can happily recommend. Personally I think it got really strong at the end and had a nice twist that I did not anticipate. Sugri was my favourite character - I could relate to her.
Nana
Thanks for the review Nana! *Sigh* I'm still hovering around page 50....Clearly, I need to add reading to my list of procrastinatory distractions..
Im still reading the book it seems interesting and so African.....I like it
Hi Cynthia, thanks for the stopping bye. After reading your comment I was inspired to buy it as a present for my supervisor in the Netherlands. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did. Hope you are enjoying it too!
Thank you Abena...well its been long since I visited this blog...Im from Zimbabwe and finding such beauty is really a blessing to me.The book surely has a twist which is soo Ghananian...lol.We are surely waiting for another release....
@Cynthia Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the book! I can't wait for another release...
Post a Comment