Katie Crouch

I picked this up randomly because I am drawn to books with wife in the title. It’s a wild and well-crafted romp of a story, if an uncomfortable one. About midway through I found I could not put it down. I don’t know how I feel about white Americans writing about Africa and Africans anymore. This didn’t seem to be obviously problematic, the tone seemed ok, but what would I know? I was definitely entertained. I also learned things about Namibia and its history I had not known before that I intend to explore further, so that seems like a good thing.… (más)

What a fun , funny, clever , insightful read this was. Plus a commentary of Americanism ( big orange Oompa Loompa) and interference in Africa. It is written with love to the African country of Namibia and its vast desert, poverty, animals and customs. It pokes fun at American diplomatic efforts even involving two nine yr old girls! To me the best part , however , is our three distinct but equally enjoyable characters ; Amanda, Persephone, and Mila ( Ester) . Great characters so different yet similar as trailing wives but with a hell of a lot more to them then they useless spouses who are removed to 2nd tier in this novel and not quite villains also .
Crouch writes an excellent novel where the reader does not get slammed in the face but realizes in the end the lessons of colonization, race, bigotry ,power and privilege in Africa.… (más)