A Woman in Her Prime

by Asare Konadu

Woman in Her Prime (African Writers Series) [paperback] Konadu, Asare [Jun 01, 1967]

Genres: Africa, African Literature, Fiction

108 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1967

Reviews

[Paul Lothane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a woman, Pokuwaa, in a traditional African village; a woman apparently cursed with "barrenness" unable to have a child. The novel traces her frustration and attempts to get pregnant, even after changing her male partner. Village life is shown very convincingly here, its political, social, economic spheres brought to the fore. Kwadwo, the man in Pokuwaa's life, comes across as a fine gentleman, though he is in fact juggling two women, as it were. His commitment to Pokuwaa and her happiness is laudable. The story ends on a happy note, when despite all odds, the lady does get pregnant! A fine moving story...

[Lupna Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The frustrations of a woman who takes ages to give birth... lots of African literature is focused on this, even by our female writers. Seems we continue to be defined in this wise by society, and the woman apparently is always at fault. Yet in the western world it does not seem to matter much. Theresa May who led Britain, did not have children, nor did that very impressive American lady, Condoleezza Rice. Don't get me wrong, I reckon most women themselves desire to be mothers, but they should not be made to feel like pariahs, misfits or failures if they do not. Yet in this simple rural African depicted here, the women are not really suppressed as such. They are free enough under the circumstances though they still have to be primarily mothers and nurturers. One feels happy that our 'heroine' here at least gets to be a mother at long last...

[John Ishola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read A woman in her prime, late 2015. From the very first passage to the end of the novel, i was thrilled by the creativity displayed by the writer. The story exposes the challenges that barren women go through in African culture, and in the course of this, it gradually reveals many fascinating facts about life as a Ghanaian, like traditional festivals, rites, customs and many more. The ending part is also very inspiring. I recommend it to anyone.

[Venessa Appiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this tale published in 1967, Samuel Asare Konadu deals with gender and the inner workings of a matrilineal society in a pre-colonial African setting. He is also highlighting indigenous sovereign systems of spirituality with a focus on Akan cosmology - whilst maintaining a critical distance .
‘Woman in her Prime’ sets us in the village of Brenhoma, in the Ashanti kingdom [today’s ‘Republic of Ghana’] before British penetration. We’re introduced to Pokuwaa , a middle aged woman in an unusual predicament under the guise of how womanhood is defined within her space and time. She’s a single successful farmer who had been divorced twice because of her incapability to bear a child. Despite her drudgery and independent wealth, her lack of a socially acceptable family model robs her of respect within her community. Due to cultural pressures of this matrilineal society, her mother constantly complains and is obsessively intrusive. Pokuwaa resorts to a fetish priest and herbalist relying on her strong belief of the great Tano, son of Asase Yaa [Earth goddess of fertility]. She gets married for a third time, to Kwadwo Fordwuo who, throughout the novel is supportive of her despite her troubles and loved her for her sympathy and insight, not based on her reproduction value.
Eventually our disenchanted protagonist struggles to meet the demands of sacrifice and rejects her mother interference. Pokuwaa only obtains her desires and the fruits of her labour when she defines her realities of happiness in her own terms.

[Lade]

I read this for literature in secondary school. I loved it.

An interesting read

[Samuel Adeosun · Rating 3 out of 5]

GNS 101, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

[Saiyou Brakemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book, shows african cultures

[Tasha Diamant · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you get a chance in used book stores to grab any Heinemann African Writers Series books, do so. (They look like old Penguin paperbacks.) This one is excellent. A traditional woman, affected, of course, by colonialism and tribalism, finds her way.

[Kennedy]

This book exposed the difficulties and perils which a barren woman go through.

[Naeem]

after much tears finally get pregnant

[John Semako · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Frank Don]

The app is somehow good

[♡ Mellie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely ending I wish to one day have a love similar to Pokuwaa and Kwadwo minus the polygamy of course.

[Osamu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll read this book again and again.

[Funmi]

the book is boring but nice

[Micah Comfort]

intresting

[Nicholas Seebo · Rating 2 out of 5]

very interesting