The Purple Violet of Oshaantu

The Purple Violet of Oshaantu | Neshani Andreas

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Ali‘s friend Kaunda doesn‘t cry when her husband dies. He had not been a good man and abused her so why should she be sad? Because her in-laws demand it, because that‘s the way things are supposed to go in rural #Namibia. Based on this main storyline, this novel explores the status of women in traditional Namibian society. A very good read. I am learning so much about Africa!

#ReadingAfrica2022 🇳🇦 #1982022 #2001

Librarybelle, Bookwomble

TrishB And a lovely pic ❤️ 3y

Librarybelle Once again an amazing photo! 3y

Billypar Sounds great! And on a side note, it looks like you are driving into a painting 🙂 3y

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Suet624 I want to be where you are. In a car. With you. Looking at that scenery. 💝 3y

BarbaraBB @Billypar I felt that way too. I live in the city but we‘re having Easter break and drove towards the countryside yesterday. So much sky! 3y

BarbaraBB @Suet624 That would be fantastic! One day I‘ll come to Vermont and we will drive and talk and watch the scenery and listen to great music 🤍🤍 (edited) 3y

Suet624 That would be amazing. 3y

Bookwomble I'm glad you enjoyed it, Barbara. 🙂 3y

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BarbaraBB

The Purple Violet of Oshaantu | Neshani Andreas

#WeeklyForecast 15/22

I am still working my way through Jacob and will for some time to come. I am planning to read another book from the International Booker longlist, another African one and hopefully my pre-order of Sea of Tranquility will arrive!

Cinfhen

Bookwomble I enjoyed Purple Violet - I hope you do, too 💜 3y

BarbaraBB @Bookwomble your review made me buy it! 3y

Bookwomble @BarbaraBB Then I definitely hope you like it 🤞🏻 3y

65 likes3 comments

Bookwomble

The Purple Violet of Oshaantu | Neshani Andreas

pick

Despite its central theme of domestic abuse, this is a touching story of the bond between the two main characters, Mee Ali and the abused younger woman, Kauna, whom she regards as her daughter.
Kauna's refusal to mourn for her dead husband is such a shocking breach of traditional custom that she is suspected of having killed him, but she refuses to hypocritically "honour" a man whom the whole village knows was without honour. Neshani Andreas ??

Bookwomble ...draws a vivid picture of rural life, village politics, family obligations, and the tensions between social expectations and slowly changing moral values. It's sad that she died after writing this one novel.
#ReadingAfrica2022 #Namibia 🇳🇦 @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle 3y

Librarybelle That is sad she passed away after writing this 3y

Bookwomble @Librarybelle She sounds like an amazing person, having been a teacher, Peace Corp worker, and part of a programme to promote the education of women 💖 3y

BarbaraBB This book sounds really good. 3y

Bookwomble @BarbaraBB I really enjoyed it 😊 3y

26 likes5 comments

Bookwomble

The Purple Violet of Oshaantu | Neshani Andreas

My fourth entry in #ReadingAfrica2022 is #Namibia 🇳🇦
Kauna makes no secret of the abuse perpetrated on her by her husband, and when he is found dead she is the prime suspect, accused of poisoning and witchcraft. The story emphasises how woman can support each other and critiques traditional beliefs about gender relationships (according to the blurb), which sounds engaging.
@Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Librarybelle Interested to hear what you think about this! 3y

BarbaraBB Me too! 3y

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