Sweet read! I tried very hard to contain myself and read thoughtfully, digesting each page, but I ended up with juice on my chin, scarfing up the entire book in one sitting! Luckily it did not leave me with a stomach-ache or bitter taste after over-indulging! Wonderful stories, beautifully connected without appearing contrived. Remarkable character development for a series of short stories. Illuminating insights into the expatriate community. A definite book club recommendation! The Civilized World: A Novel in Stories
Comprised of nine stories told from the perspective of five female characters, "The Civilized World" is a tapestry of interwoven lives that fascinates from beginning to end.
The characters include Janice, an American working in Africa for a health organization; Adjoa, a Ghanian who goes to work in the Ivory Coast to raise money to open a beauty salon back home; Ophelia, an expatriate who is adjusting to living on another continent; Comfort, a new widow, and Linda, Comfort's American daughter-in-law.
Because there are several characters and settings, the novel provides a snapshot of everyday life in Africa, both from the perspective of an insider and that of an outsider. Despite the breadth of characters, however, there is no shortage of depth, and the reader gets to know each character well. As the novel progresses the threads are pulled more tightly together until we see how interconnected these women really are.
A fascinating exploration of culture, a thoughtful meditation on what it really means to be civilized, and a touching portrait of the bonds between women, make this a thought-provoking and highly enjoyable read.
you can be comfortable with--and thoroughly enjoy--Wyss's storytelling. Plots/subplots, characters, scenes are very clearly and vividly presented, and yet you almost have the sense that the stories are happening in real-time/real-life and that nothing is guaranteed or all worked out, further along in the pages, simply waiting for you to discover it. To me, that is exciting. You are as much on your own as are the characters in trying to navigate their own paths through complex personal and social situations. But Wyss makes sure we have time to do a little sight-seeing along the way--treating us to many beautiful and provocative views of the unfamiliar (to many of us) African countries where most of the novel takes place. Looking back on the book, I am always struck by how visual my recollections are, as happens with a good movie whose most powerful images and moments file themselves away among those from your very own life, as though you went through them yourself. I can understand the previous reviewer's comment about passion, but each of the main characters in Wyss's book is whole-heartedly pursuing her desires. However, she is doing so--whether through wisdom/experience, self-discipline, wariness, whatever--with a healthy respect for things that are beyond her control or understanding. And there are many. This is a truly unique and worthy read.
Susi Wyss's novel is a quiet joy to read. Not flashy or full of action, but full of reflections of real, lived experience, recognition that while people experience a few heart stopping moments in their lives (loss of a loved one, violent crime) much of our lives are engaged with less exciting but no less important experiences and negotiations (caring for a grandchild, hairdressing, attending a wedding). The engaging aspect of the book for me is Wyss's observations of human character, through the presentation of both the everyday and the extraordinary experiences of the women in this book. The book captures both negative and positive reflections of the women in their actions and thoughts, but in the end is a "feel-good" book in that the women are portrayed with a generosity of spirit. We forgive them their shortcomings, want resolution for them, and are granted resolution in a unpretentious way.
In addition to the realistic but generous depiction of her characters, Wyss has also succeeded beautifully in bringing the setting to life for the reader. In reading, we feel the wind move, smell pungent smells, feel the brush of a butterfly, feel the spray of a waterfall. We experience the delightful, like unusual names, and the comforting, like a conversation while having hair shampooed in a salon.
Reading the book is a treat. For readers who love warm and descriptive prose, musing on human nature, Africa, and have faith in the overall though complicated goodness of people (and especially women)...I bet this will be your favorite read of the year!
This book is wonderful!! As soon as I finished it, I wanted to read it again!
You will read about the goodness in people, their daily struggles with life, how
they wrestle with their decisions and what path they end up walking down. I am left
with wanting many more stories from Susi. The added bonus for me is knowing she wrote
stories about people, places, and events that happened while she lived in Africa.
This is a five star book from page one!
Civilized World is a moving and extremely satisfying set of stories. It provides heartfelt insight into the world of African women in their homeland and America and American women in Africa and the US. Having straddled both worlds, I was particularly struck by how amazingly real the characters felt - it was like I knew them all while at the same time I was gaining new insights into people I had met in the past and maybe never really "saw." The author does an amazing job of making each story feel complete on its own yet also part of the larger whole. You can't help but feel empathy and compassion for the characters as they struggle with choices about love, parenting and beyond. This is a powerful and beautiful read - take it with you on your next trip, whether abroad on some adventure, or just to the beach! - Keeping America Stupid - Condescending Narcissism - How The Privileged Live - Drive-by Applebys Philosopher'
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