lorenlam

Though I read this book years ago, I just noticed the many negative reviews that it received here on Goodreads and wanted to put my two cents in on the subject. A lot of people seem to be angry at Corinne Hofmann because she acts so ignorantly. They don't understand the instant attraction she has for Lketinga and how she can decide to live in the bush with him and "invade his culture". I think these people may never have fallen head over heels in love nor are very risk-taking or open-minded to the possibility of feeling such a strong connection with a person and/or a country. I admire her pursuit of love and her struggle to stay with the man she loves, even though he doesn't always treat her very well. You have to keep in mind that this is a different culture where women are less important than men, and she just tries to find her balance there. A real Masai woman would probably not even protest or try to change her situation (and as we all know from television and magazines, a lot of so-called civilised women don't either!), something you can't accuse Hofmann of. In the end, (view spoiler). Does this make it a failed relationship with no added value whatsoever? Certainly not. I think both Hofmann and Lketinga, and all the other people involved, have had experiences that most people will never have in a lifetime. This becomes clearer in the sequels, in which we also learn how the author and later on her editor try to help the local situation there. In part three, she describes the first reunion with her African family, who welcome her home after fourteen years. Would they really do that if she had ruined everything in their eyes?

2022-10-29 03:22