Name: Crossing the Mangrove
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)
ISBN: 9780385476331

Maryse Condé

None of the villagers are particularly surprised when Francis Sancher, a secretive amd melancholy man who predicted an unnatural death for himself, is found dead, face down in the mud. But, as the villagers pay their respects, each of them reveals another piece of the mystery behind Sancher's life and death.

Crossing the Mangrove

Aisha Mugo

How true! Life’s problems are like trees. We see the trunk, we see the branches and the leaves. But we can’t see the roots, hidden deep down under the ground. And yet it’s their shape and nature and how far they dig into the slimy humus to search for water that we need to know. Then perhaps we would understand. 

“I gave birth to you, but I misloved you. I neglected to help you flower and you grew stunted. It’s not too late for our eyes to meet and our hands to touch. Give me your forgiveness.” 

I wish I could re-read this for the first time! 

…one who was already shooting up fatherless under the sun, the other who was getting ready to enter this world as an orphan with nothing but two eyes to cry with.

Leave. Breathe a less rarefied air. He suddenly seemed to be suffocating under the tall trees, and he dreamed of a land where the eye would not be blackened by the hills but could follow the unlimited curve of the horizon. A land where, despite what they say here, the color of one’s skin doesn’t matter. 

A homeland where the soil would be rich for plowing. 

But happiness is never but a lull in the infinite ocean of unhappiness. 

Where to begin? What an incredible piece of literature. 

I was introduced to Maryse Conde by a Guadeloupean friend. Many a night we would talk about life in Guadeloupe & I believe this book mirrors the stories of my friend. 

As the story progresses from character to character in each chapter, what really stands out to me is the dynamics of race, class and gender on the island. The roles women in play in guadeloupean society, their silent suffering in loveless marriages, patriarchal communities dictating their lives and the unending misery that exists amidst it all. The legacy of slavery persists throughout the village, rearing ifs ugly head in the manner in which the residents interact with one another. 

I read this book in a matter of days, it was too good and I somewhat regret how I devoured it - should’ve given it more room to savour. Nonetheless, I will be revisiting and I thank Melisa for putting this book in my path! 

Where to begin? What an incredible piece of literature. 

I was introduced to Maryse Conde by a Guadeloupean friend. Many a night we would talk about life in Guadeloupe & I believe this book mirrors the stories of my friend. 

As the story progresses from character to character in each chapter, what really stands out to me is the dynamics of race, class and gender on the island. The roles women in play in guadeloupean society, their silent suffering in loveless marriages, patriarchal communities dictating their lives and the unending misery that exists amidst it all. The legacy of slavery persists throughout the village, rearing ifs ugly head in the manner in which the residents interact with one another. 

I read this book in a matter of days, it was too good and I somewhat regret how I devoured it - should’ve given it more room to savour. Nonetheless, I will be revisiting and I thank Melisa for putting this book in my path! 

Crossing the Mangrove

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