The Civilized World - A Review

Henry Holt is proud to present the stunning literary debut from Susi Wyss: The Civilized World. Set in Africa, the novel follows five women as their lives intertwine in surprising and even explosives ways.

When Adjoa leaves Ghana to find work in the Ivory Coast, she hopes that one day she'll return home to open a beauty parlor. Her dream comes true, though not before she suffers a devastating loss—one that will haunt her for years, and one that also deeply affects Janice, an American aid worker who no longer feels she has a place to call home. But the bustling Precious Brother Salon is not just the "cleanest, friendliest, and most welcoming in the city." It's also where locals catch up on their gossip; where Comfort, an imperious busybody, can complain about her American daughter-in-law, Linda; and where Adjoa can get a fresh start on life—or so she thinks, until Janice moves to Ghana and unexpectedly stumbles upon the salon.

The Civilized World is a deeply moving novel that “beautifully and effortlessly captures the essence of human connection” (Library Journal). 

What did I think? I like reading books about women who live in different cultures and settings than I do. Some of my more favorite reads over the last little while have been exactly that. This is no exception as it takes place mainly in Africa and is about women who want essentially the same things as I do, but get these things in different ways. I really liked the characters and found myself thinking about the story after I'd finished reading it - a sure sign of a good read or was it that the author was a little vague in places? She hinted at something meaningful that I didn't always quite catch, which may say something about my own literary prowess or a lack of details, I'm not quite sure which one. 

At any rate, I enjoyed reading this book and had no issue finishing it quickly. The well developed characters were a joy go get to know. And this story, which focused on women's lives and not just about romance and getting the man, was refreshing and interesting.

Thanks to Henry Holt for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.

In retrospect...

Dear self from January 2011,

Hello self. I'm just taking a minute to drop you a line from 5 months in the future. I thought you might want to know that life is going to get a wee bit complicated after you register for those classes you're about to register for. And I know that you realize how busy it's going to be with your kids and school, BUT there's one piece of information that you do not know... and that is that Finleigh will be diagnosed with Autism in February.

I know that doesn't seem like such a big deal, but little do you know the emotional, mental and time suck this is all going to be. I mean seriously - there is so much that comes with this diagnosis. And then, when you have the time (well sorta if you count sneaking in time between child care necessities like feeding your children) which is definitely less that you have right now, in January, your mind is going to be a total soggy mess and you will end up wandering around the house, knowing that you have homework to do, but unable to concentrate on it enough to even make a respectable attempt at it. And if you do get to making that attempt, you realize that you will just end up writing total run on sentences like the one I just constructed. The you of the future that has that soggy mess of a brain.

Don't worry, the future you will finish these stupid courses (if it kills us). It WILL get done. But, consider yourself warned... expect to feel VERY overwhelmed going into the second week of May.

The good news, however, is that you'll have gotten some great visiting time in with some very important people in your life. And we both know that we value all those relationships more that these little freshman classes that if you didn't care about doing well in you could finish real quickly and still pass. But we both know that's not gonna happen. We have our pride. And our perfectionism. Yup.

Your loving future self,
Amanda

P.S. Would you stop filling your face, already?!?!?!?! You are going to gain so much weight between then and now and if you would just stop, it would make our life a little more enjoyable now. In May. That's my now, not yours. Thanks.

Kindergarten Open House

We got to see our new school (for next year) yesterday. I felt a little anxious going in, just like I do every time I go into a new situation. But I was excited too. We were taking Finleigh to the kindergarten open house, where they cancel regular classes for the current kindergartners and let the kids for next year come check it out. They have little activities for the kids to do and it's a good chance for the parents to chat with the teacher and ask any questions they may have.

I was expecting to go in and not really know anyone... but that didn't seem to be the case. In fact, we were quite well known.

The vice principal thought we looked familiar as we walked in and he welcomed us. And since he and I went to the same high school (he was older and WAY cooler than me), why yes, I was familiar.

The kindergarten teacher (who may or may not be there next year) worked at our school the year before and is good friends with Finn's current teacher so we didn't even really need to introduce ourselves. "Hi Finleigh!" we heard as we walked into the classroom. I didn't even have to explain that Finleigh doesn't talk or why my very little child who looks 3 and doesn't talk was going to be going to kindergarten next year.

One of the educational assistants that is in the classroom is good friends with my mom. They used to nurse together way back when I was a little girl when we lived in BC. She even babysat me once or twice. We chatted about my mom's renos, her kids and how much Finn looks like I did.

It felt strange to go to the secretaries afterwards and hand in our registration forms. I couldn't make small talk or chat like I usually do at our current school. I'll miss that easy exchange, but I'm sure that'll come with time.

Finally, we met up with the CST (classroom support teacher, who will be in charge of making sure my special needs kids get what they need for their special learning needs) and she was expecting us. Our current CST has told her about us. We only had a couple seconds to chat, but the introductions have been made.

The set-up is different. The people are different. But the goal will be the same... to help my children succeed. I'm looking forward to it. Even if there is an anaphylactic allergy to cinnamon there. That's right. No cinnamon next year. Or fish. Or nuts. I can't imagine life without cinnamon, but I digress. We can live without it at school. At least the commute will be easier... we're just a couple minute's drive away.

So, that's good. Right? Our minor celebrity (add dripping sarcasm here)? But really, there IS something about Finleigh...

Hopefully it'll make the transition fairly easy for next year.

Pretty

Oh to be a little girl, barefoot, in her pretty Easter dress.

I'm linking this to 5 Minutes for Mom's Easter Post Link Up. Go here for more Eastery posts.