Segu

by Maryse Condé

Book Overview

"Cond?'s story is rich and colorful and glorious. It sprawls over continents and centuries to find its way into the reader's heart." --Maya Angelou "A wondrous novel" (The New York Times) by the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345353064
• ISBN13: 9780345353061
• Release Date: March 1988
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.7" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Hidden history

Most of the non-African world is at least slightly familiar with the story of the slave trade . . . but usually starting with the future slaves being loaded onto boats in Africa. What's missing is the highly developed, sophisticated societies and cultures from which these individuals were taken. In addition, nearly all English language historical fiction takes place in Europe . . . but at similar periods of time in Africa there were equally dramatic wars, rises and falls of kingdoms, royal love stories and scandals, brilliant generals and conniving merchants . . . but we haven't heard about them. This book corrects that. Particularly interesting to me was the struggle between the old fetish religion and the new Islamic faith, mirroring the struggle behind paganism and Christianity in Europe. The visit to this world is un-missable.

Magnificent

Amazing in it's historical scope and accuracy, this book pulls one into the life of early West Africa. One of the best books I've ever read.

A great book

I read this book as a sophomore in high school, and I loved it. I was not, however, forced to read it for a class, which I know can severely distort a student's perspective. I loved the generational quality of the story and I loved reading about this period in African history from an African perspective. I've always been interested in history, and I think that historical fiction is a wonderful supplement to reading "about" history. It puts the reader in that time and place and allows them to truly understand what it must have been like to live there. Other historical fiction I recommend: Anything by Mary Renault (The Last of the Wine, Fire from Heaven, etc.) The Great Train Robbery, by Michael CrichtonOther books about this period in Africa I recommend: Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe (which I WAS forced to read for school, and still liked)

Loving Segu

I fell in love with the main character. His adventures and misfortunes kept me intrigued. I learned so much about the land and the structures of the different tribes and kingdoms, that I have used the book for reference. I spoke with Ms Conde and told her I was disappointed with the fate of one character and she merely said, "It had to happen." I felt the heat of the land and the warmth of characters and the deep belief in the different faiths of the many regions she covered. This is a must read.

GET IT, READ IT, PASS IT ON

A magnificent source I'd highly recommend is the two book series by the title of "Segu" written by Maryse Conde (great writer) and translated by Barbara Bray. These are 'James Mitchner' type novels, based on historical facts and figures intertwined in an engrossing story that spans several decades/centuries of Africa's rich history. An engrossing, well written, educating, addictive read