Rough Silk

by Deborah Auko Tendo

 

A mirror that has been held out to society.

Rough Silk is a deep memoir written by a daughter celebrating the father who raised her as a single Dad.

 

 

322 pages, Paperback

Published January 11, 2024

Reviews

[Catherine Mukora]

I truly enjoyed this story and the cadence of Deborah’s writing!!
This story also reminded me of cultural differences and how they definitely contribute to a lot of the reasons we turn out the way we do.
I was fascinated, compelled, shocked at times, overwhelmed with laughter and sadness in equal measure at certain turns of the story.
The only reason I didn’t rate this 5 was for the editing errors.

[Damaris Rotich]

I love that Deb was generous to share her life story with us. Coming from the perspective of observer (having gone to the same high school and sharing a dormitory), I applaud her for her tenacity and strength when she could have caved in to life’s numerous beatings. Knowing how funny Deb is in real life, I was excited to be immersed into her life knowing she will find humor in anything! She delivered. Her way with words is refreshing and relatable. Her characters come to life on paper and that is quite a difficult task for amateur writers. Deb is no amateur. She has the natural talent.
Deb’s ability to paint emotions and characters so well is deserving of accolades. I hope she ventures into illustrated text because she is magical in art and in prose too!

It admittedly took me forever to finish the book for one primary reason; sentence/paragraph structure. Paragraphs that are one sentences yet the next one is a continuation of the same point. So many sentences could make one beautiful paragraph! Indentations in inappropriate places. I was midway through the book when I finally was able to separate my judgement of the structure from the amazing content. A few typos but expected if you’re self-publishing and not investing heavily in an editor to ensure the professional writing aspect is on point (although I think in the prologue she mentions an editor).

Deb captures the reality of so many millennials in her own lived experience. I cried for her and with her as her story unfolded. I laughed, I smiled, and sometimes, fumed in anger at her mama but by the end of the book, one can’t help but extend grace where it is due. This is the biggest lesson one can glean from this memoir. Our experiences shape who we become. It is up to us to choose which path of that journey. Deb Tendo could very well have taken a different path and she would be entitled to it one can say. She chose love. And love bears all things. Love conquers all things. Her dad was a hero even unbeknownst to himself. He is one still even in the afterlife; I’m glad he got his roses while he was still alive.

We need more of this genre in Africa. We don’t share our stories enough yet we eat up celebrities’ and famous stories up yet we can’t truly connect with their often rich lifestyles or understand the drive behind their experiences. For Deb it was intimate for us. Our own sharing her life, going through what we go through or know someone that went through the same thing. Polygamy. HIV scourge of the 90s. Boarding school. Poverty, etcetera. I’m looking forward to future works by her.
Thank you Deborah Auko Tendo. I fondly remember my visiting days and sharing my haul from my parents with you. I look back and smile. With a new understanding of your circumstances then, truly, God works in amazing ways.

[Sharon Mwende]

I just finished Rough Silk by Deborah Auko Tendo and this book is honestly exceptional. A full 10/10. It’s one of those memoirs that goes straight for the truth and doesn’t flinch. I loved following the father’s journey his resilience, his choices, the weight he carried and how all of it shaped the family’s story. It’s raw and painfully human in the best way.

What hit me even harder were the themes woven through the narrative: poverty, medical tourism, the impossible decisions people have to make and the quiet strength required to survive systems that don’t care. The book tackles so many issues without losing its emotional core.

And personally, I connected deeply with it. When the author mentioned Nairobi it felt familiar and grounding like the story wasn’t happening in a distant world but in a place I could see, understand and relate to.

Rough Silk isn’t just a memoir it’s an experience that stays with you long after the last page. Absolutely worth reading.

[Wendy Emali]

This was a heart warming, inspiring read with frequent heart breaking moments. I enjoyed every single page of Deborah’s writing for the following reasons: 1) her ability to share her father’s story and paint him in the brightest light, despite his imperfections 2) her openness about the challenges of her relationship with her mother and the evolution of it - from anger to acceptance and forgiveness, and 3) her courage to write all this with a twist of humor planted in between the stories. Deborah, I admire you and am inspired by your story. I hope your writing further inspires many to celebrate and reflect on our perfectly imperfect parent(s) - particularly the dads!

[Flavian Marie]

Such a relatable book. Very interesting. Very grateful for her sharing this story with the world. The stories in the book reasonate so much to the Kenyan households even in this present age and time. She has shared with us a beautiful love story, something that not every daughter has gotten a chance to fully experience. At least through this, I'm able to see the imperfections in the relationship between a father and a daughter which makes it Perfect in my eyes. Tendo is really her father's daughter! She is who she thinks she is.

[Hidaya Obwa]

I've always loved a good autobiography, and despite this taking me a minute to get through, my stance remains the same. Being amongst the fortunate to have a healthy dad and daughter relationship, I resonated with her story to my core-the positive sides to it. My dad has always been the most prominent male figure in my life and this read has made me cherish him even more.

Moreover, having a Luo dad is a different breed on it's own and in a day and age where my generation disconnected from their roots, a deeper dive into my community was well enjoyed.

[John Kingsley]

This was a fantastic read that I couldn't put down in just the few days that I took to read it. Honest and vulnerable throughout and, as the author herself said, far more valuable to read the story of so-called "ordinary people" than the well-known and famous ones. The stories of love and loss and pain were so real and relatable, I wept buckets over the last few chapters. Well done Deb, you have done a great thing and given a great honour to your Dad by writing this and sharing with the world.

[Dorsila]

I'm truly grateful that the author was generous to share nostalgic and intimate memories that some of us could relate to.

I think this is an important piece of literature that documents the evolution of the Luo people, the art and culture post-colonialism.

Keeping such important tenets and pieces of our history, identity, language and culture was my favourite thing throughout the entire book.

[Emma Neema Gitonga]

The author takes you through her journey,raw and unfiltered.We get a glimpse of a father's perfectly imperfect love and is vulnerable to tell it to the world and celebrating her father while at it.We also get glimpses of Kenya's History as experienced by the author and people around her at the time.An authentic read.

[May]

Relatable.

Tendo literally forms this unforgettable picture right through her eyes in a beautiful manner.

The scenarios weave into most of the households in Kenya, both rural and urban.

A book worth your time!

[Jacqueline Ngao]

An incredible read, what a beautiful story! I really appreciated how history was included in this book with different major events described. Enjoyed the witty writing and getting a detailed description of the "mighty Luo nation". Worth reading 💯

[Sylvia Bee]

Really inspiring. I love it.

[Tilda]

Read this in one sitting.
Simply intriguing and a story you can easily connect to

[Kevin Ouma]

Ber ndii,ndiko ma tut! Iparona mabor

[Magi]

Well written and resonates with plenty of Kenyan family dynamics of a certain age.
Very easy read

[Victoria Obonyo]

Don't miss it..it was worth reading

[Vinny Kimutai]

Exceptionally great book.
Very enjoyable read!

[Ella Smith]

What a beautiful story but I had a really hard time with the way it was written :(

[theBelleReader]

A very good autobiography. Well written and the story is perfectly told in perfect words. Really enjoyed reading this book!

[Nyacomba Githu]

I think being able to read about a relationship between a daughter and father always comforts me and Deborah managed to do so mindfully and openly

[Y]

DNF at 54 pages/17%. This is very badly written with many English errors, and so far quite boring to me, so unfortunately giving up on this.

[Akinyi Books]

I finished this book in just 6 hours. While I'm aware that the author is a new writer working with a limited budget, I’ll overlook the minor typos and occasional awkward sentence structures.

This book was emotionally powerful, evoking tears and a range of feelings. It made me realize that motherhood isn't a natural fit for everyone, contrary to societal expectations.

George Auko's love for Mamii, his stepdaughter, was genuine and profound. The author skillfully and sensitively captured his story, making it a truly heartwarming read. I highly recommend this book.

[Flo Mwende]

What a book!
What a father's love

[Lee]

Encouraging