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In the Chest of a Woman

A play set in the ancient Ashanti Kingdom about a woman who desires to see her daughter become ruler of the Empire and has her disguised as a boy from birth - a secret she strives to hide.

106 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

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About the author

Efo Kodjo Mawugbe

4 books82 followers

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5 stars
213 (52%)
4 stars
91 (22%)
3 stars
38 (9%)
2 stars
19 (4%)
1 star
42 (10%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Jerome Kuseh.
211 reviews23 followers
June 16, 2014
A play about a woman, unfairly dispossessed of the Ashanti throne, determined to see her daughter become ruler. She disguises her as a boy from birth and have her live as such. It's an intriguing play with a refreshing plot and with themes that will make you question traditional patriarchy. I recommend it.
Profile Image for Victoria Naa Takia Nunoo.
Author 3 books6 followers
June 28, 2020
'In the chest of a woman
Is not only an extension of the breast and a
Feeble heart
But a flaming desire to Possess and use Power'

One woman's quest for equal rights takes a rather interesting turn as she does everything and those unheard of; having a child take on a false identity just to be able to wear the smock of power and authority. Interesting read...
1 review
Read
October 22, 2019
Can’t download and read moreover can’t even open it to read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sena  Sena.
19 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2021
Nana Yaa is strong willed, a “woman who is a WOMAN”, daring and an “untamed leopard”. As part of her carefully laid out plans to see her longest dream come to fruition, she disguised the gender of her daughter and made everyone believe her daughter was a he.

Such an interesting story played by a handful of people. I finished in one sitting because I got hooked right from the beginning to the last page. It’s fast paced and a light read that can be finished in one sitting if you are a fast reader . While the dialogues are witty and sarcastic, I finished the book reflecting on some of the customs and traditions a country or a society may have and the need for some to be revised.
Rereading this in 2021 since2014 made me enjoy it more.
Efo Kodjo Mawugbe, the author ( May his soul Rest In Peace) did a beautiful work in this book and should be read by all.
1 review
Want to Read
April 12, 2020
Please can someone help me identify and examine the seeming contradiction in Ebusa kingdom's gender preference for leadership.

1 review
April 26, 2020
This book is a literary masterpiece. My favourite quote in it is:
"In the chest of a woman is not only the extension of breast and a feeble heart, but a flaming desire to possess and use power"
44 reviews
June 23, 2020
This was a really interesting play! If I could, I’d give it 3.5 stars. It was very short but good
1 review
February 1, 2021
All time favorite, must read. no matter the number of times i have read this, it never gets boring
1 review
November 22, 2021
A play about a woman who wanted her daughter to become the ruler of their kingdom, so she disguised her as a boy since birth
Profile Image for Nyarah Steven.
1 review
Read
May 1, 2017
interesting
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
Want to Read
March 28, 2018
it nice
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews