Author
Djaïli Amadou Amal
Résumé
Les impatientes, publié en Afrique sous le titre « Munyal, les larmes de la patience » de Djaïli Amadou Amal est un roman poignant et exceptionnel. L’histoire concerne trois femmes qui ont trois histoires uniques mais également liées. Nous suivons les histoires de Ramal, Hindou et Safira. Ramla est mariée à l’époux de Safira tandis que Hindou, sa sœur, est contrainte d’épouser son cousin avec des tendances violentes. Ce roman montre la condition des femmes au Sahel, qui est une région dans le nord du Cameroun. C’est un roman extrêmement émouvant et touchant. Comme l’écrivaine dit elle-même, il est plein d’espoir car c’est une histoire de femmes résilientes qui se battent tous les jours pour elles-mêmes. Par ailleurs, ce roman a reçu le 1er prix littéraire des maires francophones, le Prix Goncourt des lycéens 2020, le Prix de la meilleure auteure africaine 2019 et le Prix Orange du livre en Afrique 2019.
Our Thoughts
This book felt like a walk in Paris. I really enjoyed how each arrondissement has its own unique story with flashes of the other characters popping up from time to time. It always made me smile when I made the connection from story to story of main characters becoming side characters in another’s narrative. I can’t choose which is my favorite because each has its own style and flavor to offer (although I do have a least favorite…more on that later). I loved the diversity of the stories in terms of the Parisian story – there was a mix of everything that made this book relatable and truly reflective of the real Paris. Everyone had found their way to this ever changing yet always present city for different reasons and from different backgrounds. It was clear in the historical details, the choice and description of the Paris spots that were highlighted and the genuine admiration of Paris that shines through that this book was written with immense love for a city that has brought so much to so many. I’m not going to lie – it was wild to read about COVID in a fiction. It really struck me as such a marker of time and of this significant event to read about someone thinking about a mask in their handbag or how far someone was standing from them on the metro. Very relatable! Which brings me to the metro and as hinted at my least favorite. However, it isn’t for the reason you may think. I really enjoyed how the Parisian metro weaves its way throughout the entire city and the book in an all too accurate way. I was having such anxiety for the poor chap the entire time!!! It goes to show how much I was living and traveling through this book if I was getting all upset about the metro experience!
All in all, this was a really cute read. I enjoyed getting to virtually travel to Paris and discover neighborhoods and areas that I didn’t know about. Next time I found myself in Paname I will definitely keep my eye out for a few of the fun tidbits I learned from @jetaimemeneither! “There’s Only One Paris” by April Lily Heist is available in paper book, e-book, and audiobook!
Genre:
Fiction
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