Changes

|title=Three Strong Women

|author=Marie N'Diaye and John Fletcher (translator)

|borrow=Yes

|isbn=978-0857050564

|pages=288

|publisher=MacLehose Press

|date=April 2012

|summary=Not for those looking for laughs, this is an award winning novel of such power that the compulsion to read it builds as the narrative progresses. Three separate stories connected by two diverse countries and clever twists that leave you breathless.

}}

As it says on the tin, this powerful novel revolves around three women, connected by their strength and two countries and diverse cultures (France and Africa) but also other, more subtle factors. (More of that later.) First there's lawyer, Norah, returning to Africa at the behest of her estranged father. There has never been love lost between them, mainly because her father prefers to ignore his female offspring; therefore his reason for the summons is a mystery, until... The second story is that of African teacher, Fanta, forced by an event beyond her control to leave Africa and settle in France with her husband Rudy. Then the final section belongs to Khady, widowed after three years of marriage and sent to France by her Cinderella-esque mother-in-law. As Khady's status as a childless widow is financially unattractive, it has been deemed that she would be of more use sending money back from Europe... once she has entered France as an illegal immigrant.

Actually 'power' is a very interesting word in the context of this novel. When translated from the original French, the title could also mean 'Three ''Powerful'' Women' and, to me, this would have been a better title, adding a sense of irony. Indeed all three are strong in their own way and in their own individual circumstances, but power is a recurring theme. All three have their power taken away from them via the actions or choices of others (of both genders, though men don't come out of this book particularly well). Also their migration from Africa to France or vice versa comes from the coercion/duress/choice of third parties. In Norah and Fanta's cases they're bright, successful, career women but in the end others have the tools (be it love of siblings, children or money) to manipulate their futures. This may not be an optimistic tale, but, unfortunately, very realistic and, miraculously, absorbing in such a way that you feel privileged to have spent time in these three women's company.

If you'd like to read more about the life and trials of an immigrant, then we recommend [[Hand Me Down World by Lloyd Jones]], [[The Road Home by Rose Tremain]] and [[Hinterland by Caroline Brothers]], each treating the subject from a different angle.

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