Changes explores the complex world in which the lives of professional working women have changed sharply, but the cultural assumptions of men&rsquo...
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Sep 27, 2007
Nathaniel
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This is my first exposure to Aidoo, who is better known for her drama than for her fiction. "Changes" is a compact and mature look at a woman's inability to find satisfactory companionship and love in modern day Accra, Ghana. The insights into polygamy from both the female and the male perspective were fascinating and the passages showcasing marriage negotiations and traditions were a definite highlight.
The writing itself is fairly spare and unremarkable, earning perhaps More...
The writing itself is fairly spare and unremarkable, earning perhaps More...
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Aug 27, 2007
Mike
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Ghanian women and Modernity: Independence?
Modern Ghanaian women suffer daily sacrifices, lifelong barriers to their advancement, and an emerging modernity which has multiplied their duties but not simplified their lives. Changes focuses on a three year period in the lives of Esi Sekyi, Opokuya Dakwa, and Fusena Kondey, three women approaching their mid thirties in Accra, Ghana.
In Changes we can see the evidence of a complex struggle in the name of modernity between Afric More...
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May 18, 2010
Rowland
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The Power of Education
All of the major characters in the novel are well-educated. Their education is not only the mark of their place in society but also an ironic and elusive symbol that signifies both change and stasis at the same time. The two primary lovers in the novel, Esi and Ali, are also the most highly educated. Esi holds a master’s degree, and Ali has studied in France and England. Upon hearing of Ali’s second marriage, the first question that his wife, Fusena, asks him is More...
All of the major characters in the novel are well-educated. Their education is not only the mark of their place in society but also an ironic and elusive symbol that signifies both change and stasis at the same time. The two primary lovers in the novel, Esi and Ali, are also the most highly educated. Esi holds a master’s degree, and Ali has studied in France and England. Upon hearing of Ali’s second marriage, the first question that his wife, Fusena, asks him is More...
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Dec 14, 2009
Meaghan
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This had more of a plot than most of the African fiction I've read so far, but it moved pretty slowly for me. Basically the story is this: Esi, a high-earning statistician in Ghana, is having marital problems and the final straw is when her husband rapes her. She leaves him, falls in love with a Muslim guy named Ali, and becomes his mistress. Eventually Ali takes Esi as his second wife, but their relationship doesn't change -- he still only visits once in awhile before going "home" to
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Nov 16, 2011
Rebecca
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Changes by Ama Ata Aidoo (1991) is about a Ghanian woman searching for her place in a modern world that is steeped in traditional culture. Esi has an advanced degree and she loves her job, but cannot find satisfaction in her marriage, due to her demanding and overly pushy husband. While she loves her young daughter, she resents the fact that she is expected to care for her as well as working and taking care of the house and being there for her husband. She resents her husband and her expected ro
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Aug 01, 2011
Emily
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The book was written to show the changes in African women since colonialism officially ended. My perspective is that the changes have not improved the situation women face. The main character, Esi, is completely unsympathetic. In order to advance her career, she divorces her first husband and neglects her only child. She allows her in-laws to keep her daughter because it suits her. She can have an affair and work late without worrying about the welfare of her child. She becomes the second
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Dec 29, 2010
Elisabeth
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I just spent a semester in Ghana, where Aidoo is from. I read this book in the summer before I left, and I didn't think it was very good. However, once I arrived in Ghana, and started seeing some similarities between the book and everyday life in Ghana, I began to appreciate it much more. It is a very interesting read, and details the lives of women in a changing society. It is often difficult for women in Ghana to know where they fit into today's society, because there is so much pressure on th
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Jan 07, 2011
Istop4books
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The plight of the African woman is analyzed through the lives of Esi and her friend Opukuyo, two African women in Ghana who handle their respective situations of life, husbands, family and careers with two different approaches. Their struggle for independence, for a voice within their families, for respect at work is clearly developed here. African men hold on to their old ways of dominance even in light of educated, hard working women and modern conveniences. The other aspect of life that these
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Nov 06, 2011
Adding this to my "considering" pile for Kinna's 2nd Annual Ghanaian Literature Week (November 14th-November 20th): it's not too late to join in! More details here.
Jun 26, 2008
Brad
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I read this book for an African Literature course at my University.
I actually enjoyed this book a fair amount more than other African novels I've read in that this one actually progresses to an actual climactic ending (of sorts) as opposed to being very repetitive and anti-climatic.
The book is what the title implies, a love story. Albeit, the relationships involved are what might be considered in Western society to be somewhat non-traditional. Your understanding of the More...
I actually enjoyed this book a fair amount more than other African novels I've read in that this one actually progresses to an actual climactic ending (of sorts) as opposed to being very repetitive and anti-climatic.
The book is what the title implies, a love story. Albeit, the relationships involved are what might be considered in Western society to be somewhat non-traditional. Your understanding of the More...
Aug 02, 2010
Emily
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I didn't love this book, but that could my own prejudices towards polygamy. After spending a month in Africa, the attitudes of the characters in this are very much like Africa and so if you are interested in that, I would definitely recommended it.
Dec 17, 2009
Essence
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I wanted to love this book. I mean, really, a love story out of Africa? How rare and how very necessary. It can be read two ways. As literature it disappoints. I just never reached the point of caring for the characters -- not even one. But as a sociological text it fares better. You may just want to see how urban Ghanians interact with one other, the balancing act as new aspirations are placed alongside longstanding traditions, ever-changing preoccupations and contemporary worries. Aidoo ha
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Apr 25, 2008
Dorothy
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Would you get involved with a married man? Before you say no, you should read this book which expresses love through the practice of a polygamist. In West Africa, where this story is set meet a woman who is pressed to face the odds of falling in love with an already married man who wants her to enter into his life as his concubine, basically. Read this in college and was always against those romance novels until I read this book and had to write a paper on it. It is a great read....throw out the
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Jun 14, 2011
Louise
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I was expecting more from this book. I found the writing ordinary and the character development lacking. In fact, I did not like a single character in this story. I think I might have liked Fusena had we gotten to know her better but I found both Ali and Esi rather self-absorbed. Esi's parenting skills left much to be desired as well. The topic was interesting though, and expertly handled by Ama Ata Aidoo.
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Nov 27, 2007
Marie
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This book was out of my current comfort zone. The writing style is distinct. It's about love in modern Africa. I loved the peeks into the family and cultural traditions. But I didn't feel close to the characters. I think that the book should have been longer. I would recommend this book though because the perspective is very interesting.
Sep 16, 2008
Jennifer
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Alright, thought the ending came out of left field with the friend and her best friend's husband. Plus things were wrapped up a bit too quickly for my tastes.
Dec 17, 2009
Lauren
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Had to read pre-Ghana, certainly gave me a glimpse into a modern woman's life in the newly Democratic Ghana. Pick it up if you're Ghana/West Africa bound!
Apr 17, 2011
Raisu
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Funny, engaging and thought provoking. Nice writing and interesting, fully rounded characters.
Sep 17, 2007
snb
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A very interesting look at womanhood and marriage in post-colonial Africa.
Feb 02, 2012
Jan 27, 2012
