Mighty be our Powers by Leymah Gbowee

We could all learn a great deal from Leymah Gbowee and the ordinary Liberian women like her who protested peacefully for the peace that their finally achieved. More than anything else I think this book, her memoirs, teaches us that you do not have to be out of the ordinary to make extraordinary achievements.

Throughout her account of how she came to be the Peace Activist and the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipient we know today, she tells recounts how she stumbled and continues to stumble. She made bad choices, had numerous failings, and was often close to losing hope. Above all else her story is incredibly empowering because through her life story, we see that things are possible. If we organise and work together, even the most powerless in society can stand up to the most powerful. She touches on issues which would seem obvious to the outside world but are so often overlooked by the many humanitarian programmes set up by the United Nations or International NGOs. Whether its disarmament programmes or election monitoring, the need for meaningful collaboration with people on the ground, who are in the communities we all so desperately want to 'save' is invaluable.

Mighty be our Powers should be on the required reading list for every humanitarian actor and election observer going to work in the field. The methods adopted by peace builders like Ms Gbowee are simple yet effective. They achieved more with limited resources than the heavily-funded peacekeeping missions, NGOs who continue to reinvent the same broken wheel or internationally-backed tribunals have been able to do with millions of dollars and years of work.I'm sure there's more to come from this formidable feminist because as she herself tells us in the final chapter, the story is not yet over!

Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman

If it were possible to give this book zero stars, I would. Although the premise behind it is interesting and novel enough- looking at the troubled marginalized youth in London's inner city from their own perspective - the execution was atrocious. I can't recall the last time I skipped through so many pages of a book. 


The idea of the eleven year old as narrator works for the first few pages. Then, as 'yout speak' does, it just starts to grate on you. What I found ironic was that the book received such praise for being 'a realistic portrayal' .....of who or what I thought. While I don't doubt that Kelman did his research, I still believe both he and those writing in praise of the book, give him far more credit than he deserves. 


I felt no more empathy for these troubled inner city kids with nicknames like Killa and X-Fire than I did before reading the book. Kelman also misses the mark with the main character. There are times when Harri says things that are completely out of character for an 11 year old- at times he sounds like the grown man writing the story or like a 5 year old child who's endearing but whose train of thoughts is all over the place. The narrative sounded too often like an adult trying to imitate a child. 


The book's ending and link to certain social issues made it seem far more important and interesting than it was. Some readers said they found the book disturbing but then what? Being disturbed by an issue doesn't propel us to action so rather than show us something we don't already know, Kelman is yet another observer of what David Cameron et al term 'broken Britain' My verdict- Great concept, poor execution.

Fly Virgin - you'll love it

As a young student travelling around the world on borrowed money (think credit cards and student loans) some 15 years ago, I fell in love with Virgin Atlantic. I remember travelling with Virgin to New York in Economy and for once not feeling short-changed by an airline simply because Business Class was out of my reach. I find that most airlines make economy passengers feel like they've drawn the short straw with bad service, terrible food and impatient and highly irritable cabin crew members. Virgin Atlantic was and still is a class apart.
The staff are polite and helpful, the food is delicious and identifiable (no small feat believe me). On a recent flight I had a beef casserole and was dreading being presented with brown slodge with lumpy bits but instead I got chunks of beef and vegetables that I could actually chew. For me the most impressive thing about flying Virgin is the incredible choice you get with their in-flight entertainment. From countless movies to tv shows, documentaries, music playlists for all tastes and genres. There were atleast two Nigerian films on the in-flight programme as well as ofcourse some Bollywood and numerous Hollywood blockbusters.

When I think of Virgin Atlantic, I think of a company that takes customer service seriously; no effort is spared to make you feel special whether you paid $500 for your ticket or $5000. Each time I've  flown with Virgin, I've been adequately fed and watered - with an incredibly wide choice of soft and hard drinks, regular rounds of snacks, filling main meals that look like something you'd make at home or eat in a restaurant, they even serve Gü deserts now and ofcourse while you watch your films, there's the round of delicious icecream. This time they even finished with a sweet treat of lovehearts at the end of the flight as we were landing, which both reminded me of my childhood and why I LOVE flying Virgin. As I left the plane I felt more than happy to part with my spare change for their charity, I like to think of it as a tip for great service.

An eight hour flight on Virgin Atlantic just seems to whizz by which makes me think that if I ever find myself booking a 20 hour flight to some far flung place it will have to be with Virgin, the airline that's definitely got it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbib-A6NpW8&playnext=1&list=PLB3F886FFE1802B04

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars on tour

I saw the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars perform for the first time last night at The Bell House in Brooklyn and they brought the house down! The audience which was very mixed and included some Sierra Leoneans rocked from the moment they came on stage until their final encore performance. They had us doing their version of the 'electric slide' - to the left - to the left - to the right-to the right-go down- go down-come up-come up. Some of us were a little worried that our lack of fitness may not allow us to come back again but we still obliged as this was not a 'sit and watch' type concert, and the Refugee All Stars were determined to give us our money's worth and leave us wanting more.

The band which was formed by a group of Sierra Leonean musicians when they lived in a refugee camp in Guinea during the conflict, played for over two hours, giving us a taster of their various music styles, from roots reggae to Sierra-Leonean palm-wine music, to soca, to soukous. Although the Bob Marley and Lucky Dube influence is evident, the band is authentically Sierra Leonean and their music although heavily influenced by these great stars does not imitate anyone.
The band members represent four ethnic groups in Sierra Leone, the Mende, Temne, Loko and Krio and they sing in those four languages. They play a range of instruments from the traditional african bongo drum to the shegure (a traditional Sierra Leonean instrument made from a calabash and stringed beads) while at the same time mastering conventional instruments like the acoustic guitar, keyboard and the drums.

Their talent is evident but more so what makes them an enjoyable band to watch live is their energy and their desire to entertain. You could tell that they were enjoying themselves as much as the audience, even more so. Each band member had their turn doing some dance moves reminiscent of a Soul train line. Black Nature, being the youngest was the most impressive with his upside down gyrate - you have to see it to believe it.

The band is finishing their tour of the USA, with perfomances in Massachusetts and Colarodo before heading to Europe. Catch them if you can, you will not be disappointed. Alternatively you can pick up their new album which has received excellent reviews: Rise & Shine

USA tour dates
Sun May 29 The Beachcomber Wellfleet, MA
Sat Jun 04 Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Opening for DISPATCH, Morrison, CO
Sat Jun 11 Johnny D's Somerville, MA
Europe tour dates
Fri Jun 17 Festival Sol Mestizo Albacete, Spain
Sat Jun 18 Festival Mundial Tilburg, Netherlands
Sun Jun 19 Africa OyŽ Festival Liverpool, United Kingdom
Wed Jun 22 World Refugee Day Celebrations Hull, United Kingdom
Fri Jun 24 La Nuit Africaines Ottignies, Belgium

The Book of Negroes or Someone knows my name

Let me say upfront that the Book of Negroes, by Lawrence Hill, is the winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book in 2008; and my overall view is that it is an ambitious piece, written in a meticulous way, and with admirable story telling skills and about a subject needs telling. I would recommend it.


It did take me a while to finish though, because my enthusiasm waxed and waned – and here is why:

While apparently historically accurate, as evidenced from the referenced material – which can be checked; in over four “books” it covers life in Africa and the middle passage; slavery in the Carolinas and east coast; life of freed slaves in Nova Scotia and return to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The primary plot device that allows us to move from one space to another is that Aminata Diallo is writing her life story, which she is documenting for the abolitionist movement in the UK.

In trying to cover several aspects of the slave narrative however, the author, Lawrence Hill, perhaps reaches beyond what is plausible in one too many instances. For example, the story of capture and the middle passage provides a rich understanding of the absolute inhumane treatment of Africans; but this is seen ostensibly through the eyes of an eleven year old girl. Some of her observations are altogether too adult, and seem more as a means of putting forward the authors’ and historical views on the slave trade – rather than inhabiting the character of a child whose world has been torn asunder. Similarly, the narration of life on the slave plantation while brutal and nasty uses questionable plot devices that see Aminata rapidly learning English, reading and writing, and moving on to becoming a bookkeeper to allow us to move into the world of the slave owner in the South.

Mr. Hill also inserts a curious scene of homosexual activity during the middle passage – for which there is not further mention over the course of the next 300 pages – the characters pretty much disappear. One can only assume that it is designed to make the oft made point by activists that such practice is not an import to Africa, but existed prior to the advent of Europeans or others. A better treatment of the subject would have perhaps been more useful than the random incident.

In marrying fiction with historical facts, the book tended towards a self conscious and in some places, contrived, narrative designed to educate on the issues of slavery; the abolitionist movement; African homeopathy and a broad range of other topics that is at once engrossing, but at the same time seemingly too much to rest on the story of one woman’s life. While I enjoyed The Book of Negroes (otherwise published as Someone Knows My Name), I was at times irritated by the authors need to include so much.

Lastly, the plot seems one written in a way that could easily translate into a television mini-series – very much reminiscent of Roots and others of that genre. While this is not a negative, it does present some characters that appear one dimensional, who burst on to the scene and then disappear in a very facile manner.

So in the end, I felt more as though I had taken a whirlwind journey by an able curator through the history of slavery; rather than read an intimate narrative of one woman's singular journey through what was a collective experience. Someone Knows My Name: A Novel

The memory of love

It took me a while to get into this book I must admit. I was excited when I got it and particularly loved the image on the cover and having read Ancestor's Stones, I couldn't wait to read what followed. The fact that the novel is set in Freetown, Sierra Leone was also a plus for me as a Sierra Leonean. However as I read through the early chapters, I found it hard to become engrossed in the novel. At times it read like an academic text, packed with imagery and detail which in attempting to set the context often times loses the reader because it's so convoluted. There is no doubt this novel is well-researched and clearly deserving of gracing the numerous award shortlists, however speaking as a reader who loves a good story, sometimes I think less is more.

As someone who is from the country the book is set in, I found the setting and characters interesting though not always believable. There are certain cultural subtleties that Ms. Forna misses in her depiction of Sierra Leoneans, given that it is a work of fiction, I appreciate that there has to be some leeway, nonetheless I think that most Sierra Leoneans reading this book will question a few of her literary choices. For instance, the dynamics of different ethnic groups; one can make the assumption that the main character Elias Cole is a Krio who marries a non-Krio, perhaps a Temne and has a daughter whose name sounds Fulani. Though not impossible, it's highly unlikely that a Krio man would give his daughter a name that reflects neither his nor his wife's ethnicity. Also the fact that Elias Cole has no 'people' - throughout the novel I couldn't help but question where are his people, in a society where the norm is for people to live with their extended family, here is a man whose only relation is with his house help. These are perhaps subtleties that only someone from the country will appreciate and while they do not carry a great deal of weight, the novel loses a little bit of its credibility as a depiction of a real country in a real time period.

I admit it may be overly simplistic to say so but I've never understood the choice of authors to make their protagonist an anti-hero, I can't help but think why waste your first person narrative on someone who the reader is not going to like. The main character, Elias Cole in The Memory of Love is thoroughly unlikeable, he does not seem to have a single redeeming quality. Even his love/lust for his friend's wife evokes no sympathy from us as he's seen as sneaky, deceitful, almost preying on her. His relationship with his daughter which could be a way of making Elias more human, flawed but with some positive character traits, is tainted by an unforgiveable act which he has committed in her childhood and for which she refuses to forgive him. I get the impression that the author is both judge and jury in the novel - according to an interview she gives promoting the book, the character of Elias came about as she questioned how it is that some people not only survive adversity but seem to thrive from it. As a result the reader is asked to judge Elias as she judges him or people like him. Yet for those who have been through adversities, in particular war, I'm certain their stories are far from straightforward - I suspect there is an element of a desire to survive in all of us which can make us act in a less than honourable manner.

The story of war, and its aftermath is dealt with in a way I think that doesn't make it 'yet another account of an African country's brutal past'. The question of post-war trauma is cleverly addressed and raises questions that are rarely raised in particular about how post-conflict countries address the mental health issue. However I don't agree with the 'neat analysis' of Sierra Leoneans as being unwilling to talk about their experiences, certainly in the case of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee and the Special Court for Sierra Leone; unlike many other post-conflict societies, victims were willing to open up and talk about their experiences, however gruesome. By stark contrast to Rwandans dealing with the aftermath of the genocide, Sierra Leoneans were quite open and expressive and talked freely about the war except perhaps where cultural taboos prevented them from doing so.

I think The Memory of Love is well-written, Aminatta Forna is a meticulous storyteller and the novel is enjoyable and informative.
The Memory of Love

Let Freedom Reign

The first time I saw Chrisette Michele and heard her beautiful voice was on an episode of the sitcom Girlfriends in 2008. I remember thinking at the time what a beautiful voice and woman, her voice is so uique and she sings like someone who is much older than her years....the singer only turned 28 last December.

Her debut album 'I am' was released in 2007 and the second Epiphany in 2009 whose title track is so stunning, it's like an eye-opener in itself. When I first heard it, I remember thinking now if only I was armed with this single when I was young, I'm sure there would have been fewer heartaches. It seems that whatever Chrisette Michele is singing, she does it with such powerful feeling that every word of it means something and resonates with her audience.

Let Freedom Reign was released in the UK at the end of January and although I've had my copy since then, I couldn't tear myself away from it long enough to write a review....until now..nearly a month later. Like the other albums, this is a gem. I wouldn't say she's evolved or matured because this woman seems to have been born with musical wisdom. Her voice is raspy, jazzy, she writes songs that embrace emotional and personal strength. No weeping over a lost love for Ms Michele, thank you very much.

My favourite track is 'I'm a star' closely followed by 'Goodbye Game'. For me it has the effect Epiphany had when I first heard it and watched the video...it just hits a nerve and makes me want to belt out the words whether in the comfort of my car or my bedroom...preferably when I'm alone. Lines like 'rain starts pouring and it wont stop....let my self drown no I will not, smile on my pretty mug, I get right back on my horse and I giddy-up' are just priceless.

For those of us who are lovers of real soul and jazz music of the 50s, 60s even 70s....it feels like there are finally artists to celebrate - who are true musicians. Chrisette not only sings beautifully, she also writes music and plays the piano. She is the cutest breath of fresh air and I for one can't wait to see her live in concert. Until then I will content myself with listening to Let Freedom Reign on repeat....well maybe I'll mix it up with Epiphany and I am as well.


Let Freedom Reign

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This book should come with a warning along the lines of 'This is a self-help book' or 'Not for the non-spiritual'. I read it for a book club and out of the 14 members, only 3 of us enjoyed the book and or rated it above a three out of five. I suspect the likes of Oprah and Madonna, both massive fans of the book may regard the unimpressed simply as unenlightened.
The book-clubbers however who were not keen on the book cited a number of concerns; a primary one was that the story was too simple, another was that the message that we are all masters of our destiny was drummed home a little too much...so much so it felt like being browbeaten with the same message over and over again. The most damning of all comments was that Paulo Coelho is a charlatan....yes a charlatan...a fake, someone who pretends to have certain expertise or knowledge, a synonym would be a quack.
Not only do I think that is an unfair assessment, I think it smears the author as it assigns an ulterior motive to Coelho when he wrote this book. Having read his interview, it's apparent that the author had no idea that this book would be translated into English, let alone become as popular as it has - The Alchemist has been translated into 63 different languages and has sold more than 65 million copies. When the book was first published by a small Brazilian publishing company, it had a print run of just 900 books, after which they decided not to reprint it - they must be kicking themselves right now.
The fact that so many people worldwide have hailed Coelho as a genius, a visionary or an intellectual has nothing to do with the man himself - nor does he determine people's reactions to the book. There are quotes from fans on his blog who describe themselves as his 'disciple' and others who claim to have learnt to follow their dreams after reading this book. I think this simple truth applies to any author who writes for the love of writing or the love of storytelling and is plucked from obscurity to super stardom. No matter how confident they are of their writing ability, it is impossible for them to predict how their work will be received; when J K Rowling sat in an Edinburgh cafe writing Harry Potter - there was no way she could have predicted the huge phenomenon it would become. I don't think Coelho thinks of himself as a visionary and certainly his early works were borne out of his own experiences and his personal evolution - obviously those experiences and beliefs resonated with enough people making this book such a success.

I also think that in order to get something from this book, you have to be in a certain frame of mind. I never read self-help books which is essentially what this book is; I wouldn't describe it as a novel. The story that runs through in my opinion merely acts as a conduit for the teachings or 'wisdom' if you will.

Some critics contend that the story is far too simplistic but The Alchemist is less about the shepherd boy who travels to Egypt to find his treasure and more about the countless themes that recur including the pursuit of happiness, spiritual enlightenment, the meaning or purpose of dreams and Fate. This book makes for a great study text for young people because there is so much to explore within it - for instance the relationship between material wealth and spirituality or the part that organised religion plays in our lives or our pursuit for a singular Truth.

As with every book, more so every self-help book, the messages in The Alchemist will not resonate with everyone, it may be simply down to timing in that person's life or their personality or life experiences. I would recommend reading about The Alchemist before reading The Alchemist and if you find yourself in the right frame of mind or in search of inspiration or simply want to read a piece of work that will constantly ask questions and make you think about life and what you want/get from it, then do pick up a copy. Otherwise I hear there's a new book on the Harry Potter saga coming out soon.
The Alchemist

Asa – Beautiful Imperfection

What an incredible voice and album! I discovered Asa thanks to a Facebook friend and I am truly grateful. I’m in awe of her voice and style and wouldn’t dare try to draw a comparison which reviewers are always so keen to do. She is not the ‘new’ or the ‘next’ anyone, she is simply Asa (pronounced Asha).

Both this album with its stunning cover and the first self-entitled one put this Nigerian French-born artist firmly on the musical map. Apparently she’s well-known and loved in Europe which makes me inclined to think the ‘mainland’ Europeans have better taste than we Brits. She grew up in Nigeria and returned to France where she developed her artistry in Paris playing with artists like the Nubians and Manu Dibango.

She is as versatile as her cultural influences – singing in Yoruba and English mixing genres from soul to jazz which makes it impossible for us to put her in any ‘box’.

Some of the songs like ‘Be my man’, ‘Broda Olé’ and ‘Dreamer girl’ are upbeat and reminiscent of ‘old school’ funk. The conscious ‘Questions’ reminds us that this is an artist who cites Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley and Fela Kuti among her influences; and who has a message to share with her audience that goes beyond cool beats and melodies.

‘The way I feel’ and ‘Preacher man’ are both beautiful and come across as deeply personal tracks. My personal favourite is ‘Baby gone’ which is so beautiful yet so melancholic, the combination of her husky voice and stunning musical arrangement transports you to a beautiful love story, whether real or imaginary.

Beautiful Imperfection is a brilliant album, I’ve yet to hear the imperfections but perhaps I’m just blinded by the incredible talents of Asa.
http://www.asa-official.com/
Beautiful Imperfection

The next three days - a film by Paul Haggis

The premise of the movie is relatively simple. Russell Crowe plays a husband who is driven to the edge when his wife is convicted of murder. The film is directed by Paul Haggis (of Crash fame) and it does not disappoint. The movie’s strength rests squarely on the shoulders of a very strong cast rather than a reliance on special effects or gimmicks as is the case with so many films today.


As his wife’s mental state steadily deteriorates in prison, Russell Crowe’s character sets about fighting the case through all the legal channels culminating in a disheartening appeal to the Supreme Court. With all legal options exhausted, he derives a plan to break her out of prison. Whilst this may seem farfetched, so strong is Russell Crowe’s performance that rather than having to suspend belief, you are utterly convinced by his extraordinary gradual transformation from law abiding “everyman” to a shrewd manipulator and killer.

One of the story’s main strengths is that we are never really sure of the innocence or otherwise of his wife. Elizabeth Banks plays the part with just enough edge and gravitas to keep you guessing. This feature juxtaposed against her husband’s blind belief in her innocence is what creates truly edge of your seat tension. As her husband descends into near insanity, you keep asking yourself whether his enormous sacrifice is all for nothing.

It is also well worth mentioning the supporting cast here. An opening scene in which Russell Crowe and his wife are out for dinner with his brother and brother’s wife, provides a priceless snippet into female dynamics and competitiveness. The brother’s wife played by Moran Atias showcases a fantastic tirade on female dynamics in the workplace. Liam Neeson also features in a brilliant cameo as a truly jaded character who has previously escaped from prison and who provides Russell Crowe’s character with guidelines on how to go about it successfully. Also worthy of note are the parents of Russell Crowe’s character (in particular his father, played by Brian Dennehy) who look after his son. You get the impression they also doubt the innocence of his wife and resent the sacrifices that their son has made as a result of her conviction.

The supporting cast is rounded off by a brilliant ensemble playing the law enforcement officials who are involved in the case. Despite their relatively short screen time their characters are sufficiently well developed that you can empathise with their task and you find yourself rooting for them to catch the fugitives, again, contrary to what you would ordinarily expect yourself to feel.

All credit though must go to Paul Haggis - when he finally reveals what actually transpired it almost does not matter – you have been served up the ultimate love story.

Finally, a movie well worth the £14.50 ticket price!
The Next Three Days

The HKB Finn Ensemble

Seeing the HKB Finn Ensemble reminded me of the power of a live band;  it was phenomenal to hear their mix of different sounds from afro-beat to jazz to roots reggae to afro-cuban and the energy that they elicited from the audience.
To put it simply, spoken word artist HKB Finn writes beautiful music, from the words to the beat to the way he combines his artistic ability with the talents of his band. The sounds were exquisite and moved us to dance, clap and ofcourse sing along. Dealing with contemporary issues and always providing an inspirational messages; to say HKB Finn has a way with words may be stating the obvious but for me that and his ear for smooth yet catchy beats is what makes what he does so unique.
I am someone who is usually sceptical about going to see artists whose work I don't know, nothing quite moves me like being able to sing along to my favourite tune. Yet even though this was my first encounter with the artist and his band, from the moment they stepped on to the stage till the end of their set, some 90 minutes later, I was enthralled. I sang along to tunes like the hilarious Blacktowne Benediction (about South London's Old Kent and its large concentration of churches) and Shake it Up which encourages us to shed all the 'issues' that we face in our daily lives and just party.

The combination of HKB Finn's spoken word artistry and the incredible vocals of lead singer Tracey Campbell on the track 'Dreams of You' which includes lines like 'I never knew peace like this, until it came in an ecstatic kiss' made us want more of this phenomenal band. And what made it even more special was that they gave us what we wanted, after a set that lasted an hour and a half with no costume change, no diva antics, just pure brilliant live music, we still had an encore performance. The HKB Finn Ensemble engaged their audience from start to finish, and the passion which each band member displayed was rewarded by the crowd's enthusiasm.

It was an incredible night of pure entertainment, old-fashioned in that there were no gimmicks, yet modern because of the fusion of sounds and talents. Even if you are not a spoken word fan, the brilliant music written by the talented Andrew Ward will get you.

If you get a chance to see The HKB Finn Ensemble, please do so, if not the album Natural Eloquence will serve as a constant reminder of why you need to see these guys perform. In a word....Fabulous!

Dates for London:
February 26: Rich Mix, 35-37 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
March 13 (Solo set) Ronnie Scotts, 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT
Natural Eloquence

For colored girls

First of all let me say this film is not going to be everyone's cup of tea...in fact it may only appeal to a select few who are happy to look beyond excruciatingly painful experiences to see the beauty and strength of the central characters. It may also help to read a synopsis of the play because if it’s a 'feel good' movie experience you're looking for....this ain't it. What it is is a reflection of the worst of our realities and an insight into how a group of nine women cope when faced with adversity.

It's tempting to dismiss this film as another 'Precious'....a depressing film that portrays a very grim African-American reality, where the men are rapists, cheats, liars, misogynists, where there is little evidence of hope. This would be an obvious message to take away, given that of the five male characters; only one of them was positive and likeable. The film though is not about the men; none of their characters are developed enough for us to really understand or want to empathise with them. Instead it is a film, as the play was, about the women, the colored girls who represent colours of the rainbow in Ntozake Shange's 1975 experimental play. It is about their weaknesses and passions, the mistakes they make in their lives, the emotional scars that they carry. The men are simply a backdrop, needed only to elucidate the women's stories.

The performances by Loretta Devine, Janet Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad were extremely powerful; newcomer Tessa Thomson held her own and delivered her poems compellingly. Kimberly Elise is an incredible actress; you get the sense that she has lived a life full of so many trials that when called upon to convey the emotions of a deeply troubled character, she delivers with absolute precision.

Tyler Perry did absolute justice to Shange's play; the poems are delivered beautifully by some very talented actresses who clearly thrived from this challenging yet brilliantly executed project. The film brings the play to life and provides storylines and character development which Perry clearly understood would be useful especially for those who may find the poetry difficult to grasp. I expected over-acting, farce, a lack of realism as the critics had suggested but instead I got beauty, depth, poetry, love, laughter, pain, sorrow and I think above all strength.
If it's a feel good movie that requires little thought you want then try 'Meet the Parents 3'; if however you want to be challenged, driven to extreme feelings of anger and frustration, even despair but then brought back to a point of hope and admiration then this is where you need to be.
For colored girls who have considered suicide, when the rainbow is enuf : a choreopoem

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's wives by Lola Shoneyin

I loved this laugh out loud novel which was tinged with moments of sadness and lots of frustration. I think you have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it nonetheless. The first time I picked it up, I wasn't quite there, not quite ready to snigger at the flamboyantly depicted characters in this debut novel. A week and a rather serious novel later, I wanted something light-hearted and decided to delve into The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's wives.
Lola Shoneyin is a Nigerian writer based in Abuja where she teaches, writes and raises her four children. She has an amazing talent for not only writing i.e. finding the right words to express herself but also for capturing the subtleties of Nigerian culture. I read page after page and was incredibly impressed by her ability to describe the smallest of details and most delicate of cultural nuances, to put it down on paper so seemingly effortlessly.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's wives is told from the perspective of the four wives, all very different who came to be married to Baba Segi (father of Segi), who for all his bafoonery and lack of decorum is a man with a good heart. The protagonist who is an outsider and who causes the Alao household to be turned upside down is the University graduate and fourth wife - Bolanle. Despite the fact that the novel centres around her, I think of all the characters we meet, her's is the least developed. The decision which she makes to marry an uneducated polygamist is not convincingly explained even by the end of the novel when the story unfolds and we encounter the deception, betrayal and disappointment.
The other wives, Iya Segi, Iya Tope and Iya Femi, who are given their names according to their eldest child  (iya meaning mother) are all brilliantly portrayed as is Baba Segi and his self-serving driver Taju. The background of modern day Ibandan is also captured perfectly. The reader observes the social dynamics, the way different sections of society interact with and view each other. Lola Shoneyin's novel exposes tensions between employer and employee, wife and co-wives, landlord and tenant, mother and child and ofcourse husband and wife. In each interaction there are elements that we recognise either from personal experience or from observing those around us.

At first glance, the story may seem foreign, the concept of polygamy is not one that those of us living in the Western world are familiar with, but this just provides a background for so many human emotions that we can all relate to in one form or another. Above all this is a novel that will make you laugh, gasp, shake your head with incredulity and recommend. Lola Shoneyin has the gift of language and something that is perhaps a more difficult art to perfect - comedy. A funny and thought-provoking read.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

I started reading this book and felt like I could carry on until the last page and even then I would have wanted more. The writing is superb, simply put it’s beautiful. No need for head scratching or reaching for dictionary just a plain yet meaningful use of the English language. Tóibín superbly conveys the main character, Eilis Lacey’s sentiments and the reader is able to experience everything she does, from the close family ties that she leaves behind in Ireland, to the newness of her experiences in Brooklyn, to the colourful characters she meets and their hopes and aspirations and perhaps the most poignant of all, the beautiful depiction of her feelings of loneliness and powerlessness at being so far from home.
Brooklyn gripped me from the start and I devoured every page of it. I was so drawn into the book that I found my heart beating faster as we reached a critical point in Eilis’ life where she’s faced with a difficult decision. At this point I had already formed my allegiances and I became irritated and even angry at her actions but I guess that is a testament to Tóibín’s talent.

To say the book is an easy read would be missing the point even if it is that….it is also so much more. Simply put, Brooklyn is a beautiful book that will make you want to go on an adventure, discover new things but most of all cherish home and family, these elements that we sometimes underestimate yet that often hold the key to our happiness.

Brooklyn: A Novel

En Vogue in Concert

As we stood waiting for Maxine, Terri, Dawn and Cindy to come on stage, I was baffled by the presence of a number of men in groups waiting excitedly to watch En Vogue in concert at the Indigo2 in London. I assumed it was going to be a Galfest....a ladies night where we would get to sing along to all the oldies but goodies. Then I had a flashback to the 'Giving him something he can feel' video and it became crystal clear that these men were here to witness their fantasies on stage, albeit 18 years since they last performed in the UK.
True to form, they did not disappoint, the four members of En Vogue appeared on stage to screams and cheers. They looked amazing dressed in black and silver and sang their hearts out from the moment they came out until they gave their final thank you's and left the stage. There were no antics, no costume changes, no special effects... just good ole fashioned entertainment. It was easy to forget that three of them are in their late 40s; their bodies are still incredible and they moved the way they did 20 years ago. They did a medley of motown songs paying tribute to the likes of Tina Turner and Diana Ross and the Supremes and ended with the infamous choreography of 'Giving him Something he can feel', at which point most of the men who had pushed in front of us by this time were now pressed against the barrier near the stage, gawking at the four sexy, sultry women like pubescent boys.

We sang along to hits like 'Hold On' , You're Never Gonna Get it', 'Free your mind' and 'Don't let go'. Dawn Robinson who was also in the group Lucy Pearl treated us to an all female version of 'Dont mess with my man' which had us all gesticulating and doing a diva-esque head roll. It was a blast of a night and reminded us of what real entertainment is - we were there to see these four women, to hear their incredible vocal ranges and witness their energy and their personalities. Each of them have their own individual style and unique singing voice and we were left in awe. If they look this good as they approach their 50s, my guess we haven't seen or heard the last of En Vogue yet. Bring on the new album and hopefully many more exciting concerts.
Very Best of En Vogue

Say you're one of them

 
This is not the Africa I know....Akpan depicts an Africa of victims and oppressors...there is no in-between...children are left to fend for themselves and of course the Western world has lapped this up as it no doubt reinforces their one-dimensional view of Africa.
I have lived and travelled all over Africa - and been to all but one of the countries depicted in this book and what I take away time and again are stories of hope and ambition. Many years ago, I worked in Kenya with someone who lived in the Kibera slums, but to look at this well turned out young man with dreams bigger than mine, you would have no idea of his living conditions or that he was surviving on one basic meal a day and supporting a family of 8. Likewise I have heard many stories of national solidarity in Rwanda during and following the 1994 genocide. People who live in poverty in Africa in my experience have dreams and aspirations as big as anyone else's.

The story that carries the book's title and deals with the Rwandan genocide is over simplistic at best....the round dark faced Hutu versus the light Tutsi with fine features....the evil Hutu genocidaires, the apathetic UN soldiers and ofcourse the vengeful Tutsi RPF soldiers - again we find ourselves in a setting where African children have nowhere to turn, no one to save them.

Say you're one of them' depicts an Africa of victims, one where Africans cannot rescue one another because they are all either evil or poor and helpless. I suppose this presumes that we are a continent waiting to be rescued by the benevolent Western world. While I do not question Akpan's ability to write, I do find it sad that so many reviews have suggested that his stories are in some ways the 'true' Africa and I find it even sadder that Akpan himself sees no hope in his continent or his own people. Had this been a story of one country and one perspective it would be forgiving but to put it forward as in some ways depictive of Africa as a continent and African children's life is a shocking indictment of the continent and in my humble opinion one that is wholly inaccurate.
The following is a review from Amazon.com:
"This book [sic] is really opened my eyes to how children in Africa live and suffer. You always hear about how things are bad there generally, but this author really brings the point home. And that is why I could not finish the book - I felt like it's not really fiction, some variation of the short stories is happening right now to many African children."
How very sad ......as if the BBC and CNN have not done a brilliant enough job of depicting an Africa of wars, corruption, famine and suffering with not much else - here we have an African writer cementing their already skewed views of the continent - is it any wonder we're still dismissed as a basket case?

Say You're One of Them (Oprah's Book Club)

Tail of the blue bird

I loved this novel so everything I say may be considered as slightly skewed in its favour but I think if you have an open mind and enjoy reading about Africa’s past and present you will not go wrong with Nii Ayikwei Parkes’ debut novel.

It begins in a Ghanaian village with an old man, a hunter and in a language which is apt for the setting but which can be a little confusing. There are a lot of words that you may not recognise if you are not from that part of West Africa and the old man tends to speak in proverbs, which is confusing at best of times let alone when having to also contend with foreign words written in phonetics. As I said earlier if you keep an open mind, all becomes clearer. As the story progresses, we move to Accra and encounter a young professional man, a Ghanaian returnee, who having studied in the UK is back home facing up to his responsibilities as the eldest sibling in a family that made sacrifices to give him his western education. He and his friends who are all educated and hard working professionals lament their lack of opportunities and the prevalence of corruption in the Capital city. These issues and an unexpected, unsolved mystery which the young protagonist has to solve provide a background for the novel, a thread that runs through it. For me, the real story is about the relationship between the modern and the traditional, the old and the young and other contrasts found throughout the novel. We learn though that the world functions best when these differences complement each other. In the village, Kwadwo, the young man, having studied forensic pathology is able to treat a broken arm while the traditional doctor offers the patient pain relief in the form of a herbal concoction. And through the eyes of the young protagonist, we understand the ways of the old man, the hunter, better. His words make sense and we are able to reflect on the proverbs he uses to respond to questions about life and death and begin to understand that too.

The author’s depictions are so vivid, I felt as though I was transported to Ghana; I could smell the palm nut soup in the village, taste the palm wine and hear the coastline in Accra. There is something magical and yet pertinent about the novel. Aside from an admiration for Parkes’ writing style, it also left me with a new found respect for African culture and its relevance in the world today.
Tail of the Blue Bird

Inception

"I think they were going for a " how far does the rabbit hole go?" concept, and they may have gotten just a tad bit carried away." I love this line a friend used to describe this film. I went to see it with so much anticipation having read the incredible reviews only to find myself looking around the cinema half way through wondering if I was the only to notice that the Emperor really wasn't wearing any clothes. This is exactly how I felt for 148 rather painful minutes as the film's plot thickened and got progressively ridiculous.

The concept of the power of dreams makes sense to me as I'm sure it does to most of us who've often been freaked out by how real things seemed during a dream, so they definitely had me on that. The premise for the mission however was where I thought - are you kidding me? So Leo and pals needed to get into the mind of a powerful businessman to get him to break up his company. Call me naive but why go through all that when you can try good ole fashioned threat of violence or blackmail or if you want to do things the legal way then why not just set him up with a gorgeous gal who he'll fall head over heels for and who can then manipulate him into doing exactly what she wants. Trust me, it works a treat, ask any man with a wife.
Aside from the multiple layers which made the film lose its credibility, I also didn't understand the need for ridiculously gratuitous shooting and bullet-dodging. I felt like I'd mistakenly stumbled into an action flick, where the baddies far outnumber the good guys but never seem to be able to accurately shoot and kill one of them. In a word, it was all a bit too Hollywood for me.
At the end of my torturous cinema trip and just because I hate feeling like the only one who didn't get memo, I decided to ask a few people what they thought and the responses varied from looks of bewilderment to outright confessions of "I didn't get it."
So what were the directors thinking? Apparently the trick is to confuse the hell out of the audience so they have to go back and watch the film again and again...repeatedly lining the already wealthy film makers' and stars' pockets. Hmm, genius really....except for one thing ... why on earth would we, the cinema-goers knowingly put ourselves through another two and a half hours of far-fetched nonsense? Or maybe the ploy is to enter into our dreams and convince us this is a brilliant film. Now that, I'd pay again to see you do Mr DiCaprio.

The Help

Good storytelling is a rare thing. Granted, there are good books and good authors but not all have to ability to write so well that you wonder whether they stole someone's story and are telling it as their own. The last time I had this feeling was after reading Memoirs of a Geisha and according to the court case and subsequent settlement, I was right.
Kathryn Stockett, however is not completely unfamiliar with her book's subject matter, she was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, the town which she writes about. Yet what's remarkable is not that she is able to convincingly tell the story of a White Southern woman who was raised by a loving Black woman and who has ambitions of being a writer - that's hardly farfetched given the author's own biography; it's that she is able to tell a believable and poignant story from a Black point of view, from the perspective of the maids. It may not seem such a difficult task, as one can always imagine what 'the help' are thinking but its the less tangible things - the sentiments, the aspirations, the ambiguity of their feelings towards the people they worked for and the children they cared for that makes this book so deserving of all the praise it has received. She is able to capture emotions and nuances so convincingly that we forget the colour of her skin at times and the fact that she comes from the 'other side'.
The story is so compelling that I found it impossible to put the book down; praying for my computer to take a little longer to start up so I continue reading and finish the chapter I'd started on my way to work. You can see the women in the story so vividly; the three main characters whose stories we hear, Skeeter, Aibeleen and Minny all inspire so much admiration, that you want to learn more about their lives and what will become of them after page 444.

The Help will move you and no matter how cynical you are it will make you acnowledge the simplicity of life when choose to ignore the fictitious lines that are meant to divide us.
The Help

Let's hear it for New York

I think New York City is one of those places that you either love or hate. It’s impossible to be indifferent towards this giant of a city with possibly fewer Americans than anywhere else in USA. New York like London epitomises the term melting pot – there are so many diverse cultures living under the New York sky that calling yourself American could not be less chic. Everyone is proud to talk about their country of origin, and unlike so many other parts of the US, few people want to claim the American identity as their own. I guess life is more fun being Afro-Japanese, Senegalese, Trinidadian or Ecuadorian, when you living in New York City anyway.
I first discovered the city as a teenager, so being young and extremely self-confident, I relished its intensity and felt quite comfortable taking in the sights one block at a time. I suspect though that if I’d gone there as an adult, especially as a mother, I may have found it all a little overwhelming. Where do you start? The choices seem so numerous that making a decision about what to do and where to eat can be a day’s task in itself.

For eating out – you can go for Brazilian at Casa in the West Village, French at Chez Oskar in Fort Greene, Soul food at Sylvia’s in Harlem or Indian and Latin American fusion at Vermillion in midtown Manhattan.

For entertainment – do we see Fela on Broadway, The Roots with Talib Kweli on Summer Stage in Prospect Park or The Merchant of Venice as part of Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park?

For the kids – there’s the Imagination Playground at South Street Seaport, the Water park in Chelsea or the Kidflix film Festival in Fulton Park.

If shopping is your thing then head to Soho for a range of high street and designer stores or check out the countless department stores from Bloomingdales to Bloomingdales to Macy’s to Saks Fifth Avenue. And coming away with a light blue box, however little from Tiffany’s is a treat for most women.

Whatever you choose to do there seems to be one guarantee when you visit New York and that is boredom is not part of the itinerary. New York is an intense city with something for everyone, and even the pizzazz of Times Square is not your cup of tea, there is some little corner of the big apple that is sure to appeal whatever your taste.
The Best Things to Do in New York City: 1001 Ideas