Baratang’s Comments (group member since Oct 17, 2012)

Baratang’s comments from the Tidal Change Book Club group.

1. Was the book easy to read? Was it easy to follow?
2. Did the title of the book do justice to its contents i.e was it suitable?
3. Among Pauw's good guys, who did you like and why?
4. Among Pauw's bad guys, who did the worst things/shocked you the most/was the most dangerous, and why?
5. Is Jacques Pauw a racist?
6. Are state institutions in shambles, especially SARS, NPA and Hawks? If so, can they be saved and what would it take?
7. Is the South African judiciary really independent? Are they not captured by the West?
8. Mention anything positive or what you like about President Jacob Zuma (no negatives allowed, positives only).
9. Is Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa the man to save South Africa? What would he need to do it, and how should he do it?
10. What have you learned from the book?

Thanks Ndeye.

I agree.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Questions by Ntathu Ziyanda Majokweni (Review Leader)

1. What did you think of aunt Uju and her men?
2. Which character in the book was the least like you?
3. What was your impression of Ife?
4. Would you date a white man or be in an inter-racial relationship?
5. Do you have an Obinze?
6. Do you think women take themselves seriously?
7. How do you think African men were potrayed in the story?

1. What acts/practices by a partner would you regard as infidelity or cheating?
2. What is your opinion of the way Americans react to infidelity (take April and Kevin's example)?
3. Do you agree that happy couples cheat too?
4. Does the French doctor's reason for cheating on his intelligent doctor wife reflect a new and increasing kind of oppression on women by the west and rest of the world?
5. The Russians profess that that they indulged in illicit sex because it was the only thing the communist government couldn't take away from them. Have you ever heard of retaliatory sex and infidelity in your own relationships?
6. The Russian Cosmopolitan magazine gives tips on how to cheat. It is believed that cheating brings the best in a woman - more confident, thinner etc; and that it makes the family stronger. Do affairs have positive aspects to them?
7. What is your opinion on the Japanese notion of "Do not bring sex and work home" ( pros and cons)?
8. Is infidelity in South Africa that hopeless (We've conceded fidelity, and we're just going for safe infidelity)?
9. Are you shocked by the discovery that Jewish men responded positively to adverts that promised proper concubines and that veiled Muslim women cheated?(Indonesia and New York).
10. Do you have acceptable reasons/justifications for cheating?
11. Have you ever been cheated on and did you ever deal with a spiteful mistress like the Chinese?
12. Have you ever cheated, and what were your reasons?
13. Is there hope for a faithful society: should cheating be demonized like in the US or should we be more understanding and open like the Russians?

All women must honestly answer these questions.

It sure is long. I pledge to read at least half of them.Don't ask for the time frame please. All I know is that it will be done.

1. Chisom was a jobless university graduate.
Where is the root of the problem of high numbers of unemployed/economically excluded graduates in Africa?

2. Titus and statutory rape; Efe’s dad and insults; Brother Cyril and rape; Soldiers, rape and murder
Have things fallen apart in Africa during and post colonisation, or are we brave enough to expose these age old ills now?

3. Sisi’s mother’s quietness; Efe’s mother assurances on her dying bed; Ama’s mother servitude and quiteness; Polycap’s mother on Alek; Titus’wife; Women in Ama’s bus; Mama Eko
Is there a difference in the way men and women deal with their circumstances? Is any of the approaches better than the other for a healthy society?

4. Relationships; Poverty and Abuse:
Should the promise of marriage be enough for a girl? Were the 3 girls justified to choose prostitution?

5. All women in the book are lamenting about men.
Can women use their femininity to their advantage?

6. Love
Do you believe in love? Was it love between Chisom and Peter; Polycap and Alek; Luc and Sisi? Can it transcend one’s past and present?

7. Madam told Sisi to say that the most atrocious things happened to her, since the Europeans loved to hear about and see Africans brutally killing each other.
Do you think the Belgians and Europeans have a role in the trafficking of black women to work in their sex industries? What role?

8. The novel theme, setup, style of writing, and contents:
Do you feel that the author did not touch on, dwell or explicitly narrate something to your disappointment?

1. What in your opinion is the theme of the book and why do you
say so?

2. What was Berry's impression of his father at a young age; when he saw him at age 10; and after what Auma, Roy and the other Kenyan family members told him? Did it stay the same or change? What effect did it have on him?

3. Did you get a feeling that Obama's white family was racist but had to deal with the daughter's choices and consequences thereof? What did you make of Toot's packing of all sort of food stuffs when they were going to Indonesia (caring mom or plain looking down on the non white country?). Her crying about being approached by a black beggar?

4. It was mentioned that expression of blackness couldn't be assumed as such at it also belonged to a white man. We read about the radiation victim, Ruby's coloured contact lenses and the Kenyan's obsession with tea. Are these testimony to African's having lost their own culture? Should we keep it original? What is original? Was Berry's shock at the former two examples justified?

5.Altgate: Dirty neighbourhood, teenage parents, poor service delivery, no work, whites moving out, blacks being lazy, bad black contractors, gangs and guns etc. Why do you think this is always the case in black inhabited previously white occupied suburbs? Do you think Berry would have improved the situation had he stayed? And now as president?

6. College: The lad was warned that college was an advanced degree in compromise, that the blacks were not educated but trained to do things and behave in a certain way; in return they would be invited to dinners, have a pay cheque, be a credit to their race but at the end of it all they were just niggers in the white man's eyes. Your opinion on that please.
On the same note, in reverend Wright's church the black middle class (probably the college graduates) were warned not to think of themselves as better than others now that they have moved out of Alt

1.In your opinion, what is the main theme of the book?
2.What other lessons did you learn from the story-line?
3.What are your thoughts regarding incest? How would you handle the issue of incest if you were Celie’s mother?
4.Compare and contrast the reunion that one sees on local television shows with the final reunion of Celie, Nettie, Samuel, Olivia, Adam, Tashi, Celie, Albert and Shug.
5.How many symbolisms and imageries did you notice in the book? Explain these symbolisms and imageries in your opinion.
6.The author highlights that everyone has a story to tell and this is independent of one’s education or status. In your opinion, how challenging is it for individuals with the ’upper’ hand to consider the opinions of ‘lesser privileged’ individuals?
7.What is the meaning of the title of the book?

Chapter 1
•Try to sum up as cogently as possible the premise for self-enlightenment.
•How does God, Source and Being relate?
•You are not your mind – how does that resonate?
•Do our desires keep us unconscious?
Chapter 2
•How would you define the pain-body and what is the primary cause thereof in your life – be specific. Have you broken free of it yet? If not, do you intend breaking free of it – how?
•What are the ways in which people suffer spiritually? In what ways do individuals create their own pain?
•How can we starve the ego?
Chapter 3
•How can we free ourselves from time – move to the timeless?
Chapter 4
•Are you in ordinary or deep unconsciousness – elaborate- why? How do you then move to consciousness?
Chapter 5
•What are your views on how Christ and God are defined in relation to presence?
Chapter 6
•How is your body affected by consciousness or lack thereof?
•How do you envisage your physical body benefiting from consciousness?
Chapter 7
•Which portal(s) to the Unmanifested is most suitable for you?
Chapter 8
•Are you in a conscious relationship?
•Are you in love as defined in the book?
•If not in a conscious relationship or in love, how do you plan to change course?
•During your menstrual cycle, did you manage to identify pain-bodies – please share
•How would you resolve collective pain-bodies – being a woman, African etc.
•What role do relationships play in the path to spiritual awakening? To what extent are they hindrances...or aids...or part of the goal?
Chapter 9
•What brings ‘drama’ in your life?
Chapter 10
•How would you transcend from mind energy to spiritual energy?
•The way of the Cross – does enlightenment always or mostly come through pain? What has been your experience in this regard?
•We don’t really have a choice until we are conscious – do you agree, why/why not? <
posted by Baratang 211 days ago

Secret life of bees review questions by Moshibudi Sylvia Sefara

1. Were you surprised to learn that T. Ray used to be different, that once he truly loved Deborah? How do you think Deborah's leaving affected him? Did it shed any light on why T. Ray was so cruel and abusive to Lily?
2. Had you ever heard of "kneeling on grits"? What qualities did Lily have that allowed her to survive, endure, and eventually thrive, despite T. Ray?
3. Who is the queen bee in this story?
4.Lily's relationship to her dead mother was complex, ranging from guilt to idealization, to hatred, to acceptance. What happens to a daughter when she discovers her mother once abandoned her?
5. Is Lily right—would people generally rather die than forgive? Was it harder for Lily to forgive her mother, herself, T-Ray?
6. Lily grew up without her mother, but in the end she finds a house full of them. Have you ever had to leave home to find home?
7. What compelled Rosaleen to spit on the three men's shoes? What does it take for a person to stand up with conviction against brutalizing injustice? What did you like best about Rosaleen?
8. Why is it important that women come together? What did you think of the Daughters of Mary? How did being in the company of this circle of females transform Lily?
9. May built a wailing wall to help her come to terms with the pain she felt. Can anyone relate to that? i.e have something like wailing walls, to help us deal with our grief and suffering?
10. How would you describe Lily and Zach's relationship? What drew them together?
11. Project into the future. Does Lily ever see her father again? Does she become a beekeeper? A writer?

Portia wrote: "no comment from me!!! u know i am guilty of not reading work by fellow african authors"

Eish. When you start a business, would you like the support of your fellow Africans? Given our country's past and present, who is likely to support you if you are good, to put you on the pedestal before others can follow?

1.The House of Hunger – Dambudzo Marechera
2.Arrow of God – Chinua Achebe
3. The Stone Virgins – Yvonne Vera
4. Wizard of the Crow – Ngugi wa Thiong’o
5. When Rain Clouds Gather – Bessie Head
6. The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born – Ayi Kwei Armah
7. Harare North – Brian Chikwava
8. The Famished Road – Ben Okri
9. The Interpreters – Wole Soyinka
10. Black Diamond/Ways of Dying – Zakes Mda
11. The Hairdresser of Harare – Tendai Huchu
12. Men of the South – Zukiswa Wanner
13. An Elegy for Easterly – Petina Gappah
14. Diaries of a Dead African – Chuma Nwokolo
15. Zoo City – Lauren Beukes
16. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives – Lola Shoneyin
17. Who Fears Death – Nnedi Okorafor
18. Nervous Conditions – Tsitsi Dangarembga
19. The Boy Next Door – Irene Sabatini
20. Happiness is a Four-Letter Word – Cynthia Jele
21. The Memory of Love – Aminatta Forna
22. Purple Hibiscus/Half of a Yellow Sun/The Thing around Your Neck – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
23. African Psycho – Alain Mabanckou
24. Harmattan Rain – Ayesha Harruna Attah
25. Tail of the Blue Bird – Nii Ayikwei Parkes
26. Dancing with Life – Christopher Mlalazi
27. African Roar anthologies – Multi-author annual anthologies
28. Nairobi Heat – Mukoma Wa Ngũgĩ
29. Is it Coz I’m Black? – Ndumiso Ngcobo
30. On Black Sisters’ Street – Chika Unigwe
31. Unbridled/Blackbird – Jude Dibia
Harvest of Thorns/Can We Talk and Other Stories – Shimmer Chinodya
32. In Dependence – Sarah Ladipo Manyika
33. Bones – Chenjerai Hove
34. Underground People – Lewis Nkosi
35. Waiting for the Rain – Charles Mungoshi
36. A Fine Madness – Mashingaidze Gomo
37. To Saint Patrick – Eghosa Imasuen
38. Somewhere in This Country – Memory Chirere
39. The Old Man and the Medal – Ferdinand Oyono
40. Matigari – Ngugi wa Thiong’o
41. Down Second Avenue – Ezekiel Mphahlele
42. This Earth, My Brother – Kofi Awoonor
43. A Simple Lust – Dennis Brutus
44. The Setting Sun and the Rolling World – Charles Mungoshi
45. Sozaboy – Ken Saro-Wiwa
46. Walking with Shadows – Jude Dibia
47. Wife of the Gods – Kwei Quartey
48. Without a Silver Spoon – Eddie Iroh
49. Akin the Drummer Boy – Cyprian Ekwensi
50. Jagua Nana – Cyprian Ekwensi
51. Toads for Supper – Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike
52. I Do Not Come to You by Chance – Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
53. Time of the Butcherbird – Alex la Guma
54. Dog Eat Dog – Niq Mhlongo
55. Joys of Motherhood – Buchi Emecheta
56. Efuru – Flora Nwapa
57. Sounds of a Cowhide Drum – Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali
58. From Caves of Rotten Teeth – A. Igoni Barrett
59. Pregnancy of the Gods – Odili Ujubuonu
60. Everything Good Will Come – Sefi Atta
61. Burma Boy – Biyi Bandele
62. Allah is Not Obliged – Ahmadou Kourouma
63. Zarah the Windseeker – Nnedi Okorafor
64. Graceland – Chris Abani
65. A Long Way Gone: memoirs of a boy soldier – Ishmael Beah
66. Mashetani (The Devil’s) – Ibrahim Hussein
67. Betrayal in the City – Francis Imbuga
68. Echoes of Silence/The Burdens – John Ruganda
69. Petals of Blood/A Grain of Wheat – Ngugi wa Thiong’o
70. Waiting for an Angel – Helon Habila
71. The House Gun – Nadine Gordimer
72. The Concubine – Elechi Amadi
73. Mine Boy – Peter Abrahams
74. The Lion and the Jewel – Wole Soyinka
75. Kill Me Quick – Meja Mwangi
76. Disgrace – J.M Cotzee
77. Potent Ash – Leonard Kibera and Sam Kahiga
78. Baobabs in Heaven – Tawanda Chabikwa
79. Stars of the New Curfew – Ben Okri
80. The Healers – Ayi Kwei Armah
81. Nights of the Creaking Bed – Toni Kan
82. Songs from the Marketplace/Village Voices/The Eye of the Earth – Niyi Osundare
83. Life and Times of Michael K – J.M. Coetzee
84. Triomf – Marlene Van Niekerk
85. Measuring Time – Helon Habila
86. The Only Son – John Munoye
87. Room 207/ The Book of the Dead – Kgebetli Moele
88. The Book of Secrets – M. G. Vassanji
89. Paradise – Abdulrazak Gurnah
90. Maps/Gifts/Secrets (Blood in the Sun trilogy) – Nuruddin Farah
91. So Long a Letter/Scarlet Song – Mariama Bâ
92. Agaat – Marlene van Niekerk
93. Welcome to our Hillbrow – Phaswane Mpe
94. Thirteen Cents/The Quiet Violence of Dreams – K. Sello Duiker
95. David’s Story/Playing in the Light – Zoe Wicomb
96. One Day I Will Write About This Place – Binyavanga Wainaina
97. Tropical Fish: Stories out of Entebbe – Doreen Baingana
98. The Identity of Blood Money – Mzondi Lungu
99. Say You are One of Them – Uwem Akpan
100. The Other Crucifix/The Sun by night/The Clothes of Nakedness – Benjamin Kwakye
101. Dantsoho: the artist by Mike Adeyi

Do you think that African readers and readers from the African diaspora are supportive of writters from these ethnic classifications? Do you think they are obliged to be supportive?