Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway

Just a quickie review of a fabulous little book. Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali by Kris Holloway will make a perfect book club selection or a book to generate discussion among friends/classmates. This book is a nonfiction story about a Peace Corps worker assigned to work in Mali and her relationship with the midwife of the village, Monique. It is an endearing tale of friendship, family life, and health care in a rural African village.

Kris Holloway writes with candor and heart about her friendship with Monique and about the realities of life for most individuals living in rural villages in Africa.  Many of her stories demonstrate the horrors of  poverty and the "backwardness" of many of the health care choices people have to make in order to survive. At the time that this book was written 30-50% children died before reaching adulthood. Death from malnutrition and infection were common. Yet, among the many tragic tales there were funny stories of misuse of language, loving stories of family devotion, and community members that come together to play, work, and dance. I was very touched by this book.

I think this would make a great discussion book.  Possible topics: worldwide healthcare concerns; prenatal care and contraceptive availability; tribal traditions and communication; Peace Crops; death as part of life; female circumcision; arranged marriages; and political unrest in Mali and other African countries. Seriously, I think this book should be considered for book club selections, or ethnic studies.