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Yefon: The Red Necklace
About YEFON: The Red Necklace:
A powerful, emotional tale of ambition and courage by Cameroonian-born Sahndra FON DUFE, the Common Wealth of Nations recognized author of the poem ‘Dear momma’. (2004). Yefon:The RedNecklace (YRN) is the first book of the YEFON trilogy series. It will have you wrapped up with emotions you didn’t know you had. For more information visit website at www.yefonthenovel.com
SYNOPSIS:
Young tribal girl, Yefon Labam, knows she’s different.
During the 1950's, in her Central African village, women are uneducated and are expected to either work on a farm or be one of many wives, but Yefon dares for more—she wants to learn how to read, even if looking at a book could mean her death. Although everyone thinks she’s an abomination, including her mother and sisters, her father knows she’s destined for greater things.
When he is murdered, Yefon clings to the gift he gave her for inspiration—a red necklace. She soon comes to realize that the necklace is no ordinary ornament, but a talisman crafted by the spirits. Yefon walks a dangerous path that could lead to her freedom…or her death.
THE TRILOGY BEGINS...
A powerful, emotional tale of ambition and courage by Cameroonian-born Sahndra FON DUFE, the Common Wealth of Nations recognized author of the poem ‘Dear momma’. (2004). Yefon:The RedNecklace (YRN) is the first book of the YEFON trilogy series. It will have you wrapped up with emotions you didn’t know you had. For more information visit website at www.yefonthenovel.com
SYNOPSIS:
Young tribal girl, Yefon Labam, knows she’s different.
During the 1950's, in her Central African village, women are uneducated and are expected to either work on a farm or be one of many wives, but Yefon dares for more—she wants to learn how to read, even if looking at a book could mean her death. Although everyone thinks she’s an abomination, including her mother and sisters, her father knows she’s destined for greater things.
When he is murdered, Yefon clings to the gift he gave her for inspiration—a red necklace. She soon comes to realize that the necklace is no ordinary ornament, but a talisman crafted by the spirits. Yefon walks a dangerous path that could lead to her freedom…or her death.
THE TRILOGY BEGINS...
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2014
5 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Sahndra Fon Dufe
1 book125 followersAbout Author Sahndra Fon Dufe: Cameroonian-born author, actress, humanitarian and business mogul Sahndra Fon Dufe is the young CEO of African Pictures International, and co-founder of Gifted Minds Africa Foundation. She works at exposing the history, culture, and truth about Africa, women and the spirit within. The remarkable actress has been featured in numerous feature films, and commercials, and presently lives in Los Angeles with her hunk of a man, a closet full of shoes and too many vintage clothes. Sahndra spends her spare time perfecting her craft and soul-searching, on a journey to regain wholeness and cure the spirit. She also hunts for Egyptian artifacts, pieces which have captivated her imagination since childhood. To read her full biography visit her official website at http://www.sahndrafondufe/bio, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahndra_..., and http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4677827 You can follow Author Sahndra Fon Dufe on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sahndrafondufe and Like her Facebook at www.facebook.com/sahndrafondufeofficial
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 7, 2018
This books reads like a memoir and covers a different culture in all of its good and bad bits. The story is narrated by Yefon a young and no nonsense girl who lives in her father's compound and fights with her siblings and sisters. Yefon describes the clothing (or lack thereof), food, daily life, rituals, polygamy, sibling rivalry, arranged marriage and the coming of the whites and the independence of Cameroon. It is a sensitive depiction of a young woman who wants to retain her independence in a world when a woman's life is to obey. I was a bit surprised in the ending - it is Part 1 only - so the story of Yefon continues.
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July 31, 2014I liked this heroine very much and also appreciated the peek into another culture and their ways. There's polygamy, child abuse (though it's acceptable in this time and place, among these people), and lots of details about the tribe's cultures, customs, mannerisms, and clothing (or lack of it.) Born in 1940, Yefon guides us through the fifties from her childhood to womanhood and the period in her life when she began wanting more from life. Not content to be a man's first, second, or third wife, nor to stay at home where she's beaten for every imagined slight, Yefon dreams of going to the city, of making something of herself. She just doesn't know what.
One of the most interesting things to me was how her Albino sister was looked upon. Other villagers even wanted to sacrifice her. I love how Yefon is quick to come to the rescue, even though her sister never helps her. It goes to show that one can be a better person, despite what they are surrounded by.
There is one major downside though, and that is the narrative. I don't mind the first-person narrative, not at all. It is completely appropriate for this story, but it's all telling/no showing and at times I found myself drifting or getting bored.
Giveaway and stuff here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
One of the most interesting things to me was how her Albino sister was looked upon. Other villagers even wanted to sacrifice her. I love how Yefon is quick to come to the rescue, even though her sister never helps her. It goes to show that one can be a better person, despite what they are surrounded by.
There is one major downside though, and that is the narrative. I don't mind the first-person narrative, not at all. It is completely appropriate for this story, but it's all telling/no showing and at times I found myself drifting or getting bored.
Giveaway and stuff here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
May 23, 2014
Yefon is a marvelous work of art. I have read many books in my life time be they African or otherwise but I have not read any novel with the author as creative as she is, in this scintillating novel, she writes with the brevity of a matador in a pink tutu. The description of characters is absolutely special. I salute you.
July 17, 2014
More than just a historical fiction, this book allows the reader to really take a moment to think - deeply and relate and allow the idea of why we need to see the commonalities with women around the world - the situations are different but the feelings resonate. Great first book.
May 10, 2014
Best African novel I've read since Chinua Achebe's things fall apart. Full of drama suspense and enriching African culture... Can't wait to get more from the same author.
July 6, 2014
Awesome book
December 31, 2024
I absolutely loved this book.
The blend of factual history and fiction is commendable.
Description of the characters is top notch, making the reader relate better to the story regardless of possible difference in cultural background.
I love how the author immerses in the rich culture of the Northwest region of Cameroon to discuss the sensitive topic of woman emancipation and empowerment.
What is there not to love about this book?
The blend of factual history and fiction is commendable.
Description of the characters is top notch, making the reader relate better to the story regardless of possible difference in cultural background.
I love how the author immerses in the rich culture of the Northwest region of Cameroon to discuss the sensitive topic of woman emancipation and empowerment.
What is there not to love about this book?
October 11, 2014
This book was a complete flop for me. If you keep up with me on Goodreads, you have probably already seen the star rating I assigned this book, and that is highly unusual and out of character for me.
Yefon is the second daughter of the first wife in her compound in Cameroon. The novel starts off in such a way as to turn off a reader, almost bashing the conveniences and technology of modern times, compared with those of the time Yefon grew up.
"One didn’t curb boredom by lying on a comfortable couch and turning on a 42-inch flat screen TV to watch Keri Washington fix things on Scandal. It’s not like you could log onto Yahoo news to see Miley Cyrus twerking at the VMAs either! These are the sorts of things that my grandchildren are now obsessed with. In my time, you sat by a massive hearth, alongside twenty other skinny black rustics, to hear your grandmother tell stories."
I understand older generations wanting to impart “their days” to their offspring – or anyone who will listen – but this Yefon did not endear herself to me. However, Yefon did paint a pretty clear (and ugly) picture of women’s stature during this time. It is very bleak.
"Regardless of whether your husband slept with your sister or used you as a punching bag, it was your job to hold your family together or else you had failed as a woman.
The man had all the financial power, and you were nothing but a childbearing cook with genius farming skills."
In fact, the entire first half of the book was a mess of characters, terms, tangents, and unclear plot lines. I was so very tempted to DNF this book, but I kept pushing myself. If you had asked me what the book was about at the 20% mark, I would have told you it seemed like random babbling about all manner of things, which only served to confuse me.
In Yefon’s culture, polygamy is common, and Yefon hates her father’s second wife’s daughter, Sola, who is beautiful and gets out of doing anything. In fact, she gets beauty treatments all the time! In such a time, with so little, and needing workers, I find that hard to believe was possible for 20 years.
Yefon also does not get along at all with her mother. She is incessantly getting in trouble, and crying and screaming until her father, home from working away, would come and have it out with her mother. This carried on even until she was 16, 17, and she would jump upon her father as if she was a small child when he would come home or rescue her.
"I hated that my mother insulted me with a title so malevolent. Ogbanje children are evil children that die when they are born and come back again many times, plaguing their mothers with trouble in their lifetime."
Yefon forges a relationship with her half-sister Kadoh, who is the daughter of a slave. All that’s said about the slavery is that Kadoh couldn’t do some of the things Yefon got to do, or be in her compound all the time, and that their language was different…and yet it seemed Kadoh was there all the time. Kadoh was an interesting character, very different than other people, eccentric, but very supportive of Yefon. But Kadoh would always hold out on Yefon, even in times of stress, so I didn’t see how this relationship could sustain under such one-sideness. It was obvious that Yefon looked up to Kadoh, but even into their late teens and early twenties, neither marry, which I gathered was unusual.
There were moments in the book when Yefon’s character had strong moments, but they were few and fleeting.
Now, the red necklace! It is a gift from Yefon’s father, and Yefon wears it all the time. It provides her guidance on occasion, being an item belonging to what seemed even to Yefon to be a mythical goddess-type character. Although this magical, mystical item has fallen into Yefon’s hands, in the end I don’t think it served her too well. This seemed anticlimactic after the title, and all that the necklace means to Yefon, and all that her father has trumped Yefon up to be – that she will change the future. How very flat that falls.
In the latter part of the book there seems to be a clearer plot line, but the ending falls completely flat, and the necklace that has guided Yefon for years fails her. The book ends on a major cliffhanger, which only serves to continue the storyline in the following books.
Another reason I had issue with some things in this book is that Yefon uses terminology in retrospect (such as describing substances as jello-like and referencing the internet), when no one in her compound at that time knew what any of those things are. It gave an unauthentic voice to Yefon that carried throughout the novel. It reminded me of Scout’s voice in To Kill A Mockingbird, but the effect was completely lost in the dramatic Yefon.
Unless you are overly interested in this book based on the premise or the setting of Cameroon, I would recommend a pass on this book. It is not a story for every woman.
Yefon is the second daughter of the first wife in her compound in Cameroon. The novel starts off in such a way as to turn off a reader, almost bashing the conveniences and technology of modern times, compared with those of the time Yefon grew up.
"One didn’t curb boredom by lying on a comfortable couch and turning on a 42-inch flat screen TV to watch Keri Washington fix things on Scandal. It’s not like you could log onto Yahoo news to see Miley Cyrus twerking at the VMAs either! These are the sorts of things that my grandchildren are now obsessed with. In my time, you sat by a massive hearth, alongside twenty other skinny black rustics, to hear your grandmother tell stories."
I understand older generations wanting to impart “their days” to their offspring – or anyone who will listen – but this Yefon did not endear herself to me. However, Yefon did paint a pretty clear (and ugly) picture of women’s stature during this time. It is very bleak.
"Regardless of whether your husband slept with your sister or used you as a punching bag, it was your job to hold your family together or else you had failed as a woman.
The man had all the financial power, and you were nothing but a childbearing cook with genius farming skills."
In fact, the entire first half of the book was a mess of characters, terms, tangents, and unclear plot lines. I was so very tempted to DNF this book, but I kept pushing myself. If you had asked me what the book was about at the 20% mark, I would have told you it seemed like random babbling about all manner of things, which only served to confuse me.
In Yefon’s culture, polygamy is common, and Yefon hates her father’s second wife’s daughter, Sola, who is beautiful and gets out of doing anything. In fact, she gets beauty treatments all the time! In such a time, with so little, and needing workers, I find that hard to believe was possible for 20 years.
Yefon also does not get along at all with her mother. She is incessantly getting in trouble, and crying and screaming until her father, home from working away, would come and have it out with her mother. This carried on even until she was 16, 17, and she would jump upon her father as if she was a small child when he would come home or rescue her.
"I hated that my mother insulted me with a title so malevolent. Ogbanje children are evil children that die when they are born and come back again many times, plaguing their mothers with trouble in their lifetime."
Yefon forges a relationship with her half-sister Kadoh, who is the daughter of a slave. All that’s said about the slavery is that Kadoh couldn’t do some of the things Yefon got to do, or be in her compound all the time, and that their language was different…and yet it seemed Kadoh was there all the time. Kadoh was an interesting character, very different than other people, eccentric, but very supportive of Yefon. But Kadoh would always hold out on Yefon, even in times of stress, so I didn’t see how this relationship could sustain under such one-sideness. It was obvious that Yefon looked up to Kadoh, but even into their late teens and early twenties, neither marry, which I gathered was unusual.
There were moments in the book when Yefon’s character had strong moments, but they were few and fleeting.
Now, the red necklace! It is a gift from Yefon’s father, and Yefon wears it all the time. It provides her guidance on occasion, being an item belonging to what seemed even to Yefon to be a mythical goddess-type character. Although this magical, mystical item has fallen into Yefon’s hands, in the end I don’t think it served her too well. This seemed anticlimactic after the title, and all that the necklace means to Yefon, and all that her father has trumped Yefon up to be – that she will change the future. How very flat that falls.
In the latter part of the book there seems to be a clearer plot line, but the ending falls completely flat, and the necklace that has guided Yefon for years fails her. The book ends on a major cliffhanger, which only serves to continue the storyline in the following books.
Another reason I had issue with some things in this book is that Yefon uses terminology in retrospect (such as describing substances as jello-like and referencing the internet), when no one in her compound at that time knew what any of those things are. It gave an unauthentic voice to Yefon that carried throughout the novel. It reminded me of Scout’s voice in To Kill A Mockingbird, but the effect was completely lost in the dramatic Yefon.
Unless you are overly interested in this book based on the premise or the setting of Cameroon, I would recommend a pass on this book. It is not a story for every woman.
December 14, 2015
Yefon is a young girl that was born into a favoured and highly respected family of the Nso tribe in Cameroon and one of the families that are eligible to bear the heir to the throne. You will come to love and cherish her, she is ambitious, independent and dreams of a life that is far from the traditional role of the tribal women, where boys schooled and girls worked with their bare feet. Even thinking about being anything but a housewife is punishable, you had to master household tasks and had to make your husband proud and happy or face disgrace. Although more of a tomboy than a young girl, she lacks confidence and is continually beaten down, both physically and mentally by the lack of love from her mother who makes her feel more of an outcast than a daughter. Luckily for Yefon she has a close bond with her father who she idolises which comes across warmly to the reader, he has the knowledge that his daughter is set for greater things. On each occasion he has to go away to work he always brings Yefon a treat on his return and one day he brings her a beaded necklace, which a long time ago belonged to the mother of the people. Why is this so important? What will happen to Yefon as she grows? This is where the book really picks up pace and by the end of the book you will find yourself needing book 2 to continue.
I have a fascination of tribal life, learning about their ways and enjoyed reading about the daily life of the tribe, getting an insight of how they lived and thought and how they connected with each other. Sitting round a fire telling stories to each other is heartwarming and sounds like a life miles apart from the world we currently live in where it's all computers, xbox and the like. The story brings the culture alive and tribal words are included here and there in the read, which you gradually get used to although I wish I had known about the Glossary of these terms at the beginning and not when I had reached the end :-) There are also beautiful drawings of each character at the back of the book and a lovely note from the author.
I was literally glued to the book half way through to the end, following Yefon on her journey, unable to put it down. Seriously you get to the end of the book at a pinnacle moment and I found myself tingling inside to find out more from the author. This book will inspire all women worldwide to allow yourself to meet your true potential and live your dream.
I have a fascination of tribal life, learning about their ways and enjoyed reading about the daily life of the tribe, getting an insight of how they lived and thought and how they connected with each other. Sitting round a fire telling stories to each other is heartwarming and sounds like a life miles apart from the world we currently live in where it's all computers, xbox and the like. The story brings the culture alive and tribal words are included here and there in the read, which you gradually get used to although I wish I had known about the Glossary of these terms at the beginning and not when I had reached the end :-) There are also beautiful drawings of each character at the back of the book and a lovely note from the author.
I was literally glued to the book half way through to the end, following Yefon on her journey, unable to put it down. Seriously you get to the end of the book at a pinnacle moment and I found myself tingling inside to find out more from the author. This book will inspire all women worldwide to allow yourself to meet your true potential and live your dream.
July 12, 2014
Time to broaden your horizons, and check out Yefon: The Red Necklace. It is wonderful learning about other cultures. Yefon: The Red Necklace is a glimpse into the life of a young African girl. I have to admit it took me a while to get into this book. It has so much back story, and language that I don't understand and had to look up at the end of the book. I felt like the real "meat" of the book didn't start until the 2nd half or close to the end. While I understand that we need the background, I wish there was more of the story and less of the background.
I had a hard time with the point of view. The first half of the book felt like it was a long drawn out story that someone would tell about their life with "I did this" and "this happened to me", etc. You know like when a friend just goes on and on before getting to the main part of the story. However, if you can get through that, you will get hooked on this book. The disappointing part is that when I finally became so engrossed in the story that I couldn't put it down, it ended. Now I have to wait for the next installment of this series.
This is a wonderful story for people to learn and come to understand people from a culture that is so different from ours. Maybe if we read more about people from different cultures we might have more empathy for people that seem so foreign. I think that people of all ages can learn a lot from this book. However, this might be better for older children and adults. Younger children might have a hard time reading the book because of the language and having to look up what some of the words mean. I give this one 3 1/2 stars because I had a hard time getting into this book. However, I have high hopes for the rest of the series since the background has been laid down.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
I had a hard time with the point of view. The first half of the book felt like it was a long drawn out story that someone would tell about their life with "I did this" and "this happened to me", etc. You know like when a friend just goes on and on before getting to the main part of the story. However, if you can get through that, you will get hooked on this book. The disappointing part is that when I finally became so engrossed in the story that I couldn't put it down, it ended. Now I have to wait for the next installment of this series.
This is a wonderful story for people to learn and come to understand people from a culture that is so different from ours. Maybe if we read more about people from different cultures we might have more empathy for people that seem so foreign. I think that people of all ages can learn a lot from this book. However, this might be better for older children and adults. Younger children might have a hard time reading the book because of the language and having to look up what some of the words mean. I give this one 3 1/2 stars because I had a hard time getting into this book. However, I have high hopes for the rest of the series since the background has been laid down.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
July 10, 2014
It was quite interesting to read how, just as I was growing up here in the US, women in another country were living. Although Women's Lib did not start until sometime in the 60's I think it was or maybe even later we had it easy compared to the way women were treated in Cameroon! If you were different, and dared to be different--heaven help you! Yefon was definitely not a conformist--she wanted to learn to read and definitely did not want to marry someone with multiple wives which was the norm. The only person who understood her, strangely enough, was her father. He was murdered when she was a young teenager. He had given her a gift of a red necklace which she never took off.
The only woman in the community who did not want to marry the Prince was Yefon-----of course as luck would have it--guess who he picked. She finds him on their engagement night with her long time arch enemy and manages to escape out of the palace. She is bound and determined to walk to the larger city and begin her own life. Several near catastrophes happen along the way. Just when she thinks she is safe--the driver who she thought would help her-recognizes who she is and the story ends with him gleefully driving her back to the Prince-------to be continued.
And how does the Red Necklace figure into all this? You will have to read the book to find out!YEFON: The Red Necklace
The only woman in the community who did not want to marry the Prince was Yefon-----of course as luck would have it--guess who he picked. She finds him on their engagement night with her long time arch enemy and manages to escape out of the palace. She is bound and determined to walk to the larger city and begin her own life. Several near catastrophes happen along the way. Just when she thinks she is safe--the driver who she thought would help her-recognizes who she is and the story ends with him gleefully driving her back to the Prince-------to be continued.
And how does the Red Necklace figure into all this? You will have to read the book to find out!YEFON: The Red Necklace
July 15, 2014
Yefon: The Red Necklace is a book that will have you engrossed in learning about the culture of another. I love learning about how other cultures believe and how they interact with the world around them. This book was a great look into the life of an African girl. If you are not used to reading books like this than it may take you a minute to totally grasp it, but I was in love. There is tons of back story which I look for in a book like this so that you can get exactly what the culture is all about and understand actions of the character. I really liked that the language was authentic. There was a lot to this book and I do advise that if you are looking for a light read that this is not it. You will have to pay attention to the detail that the author is putting forth and understand that the character is telling a lot of the story about herself. If you can get through the back story, you will have no problem getting into the book. I really can’t wait for the next part of the series.
You will get to learn and understand a different culture that is so different than the one that you are used to. This will open your eyes and you will be transported to another world almost. I think that if people took the time to read books like this that the world would have more understanding and less naive outlooks in other’s lives. People will learn from this book and take a lot from it. This series is one that I will be keeping an eye on to continue.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
You will get to learn and understand a different culture that is so different than the one that you are used to. This will open your eyes and you will be transported to another world almost. I think that if people took the time to read books like this that the world would have more understanding and less naive outlooks in other’s lives. People will learn from this book and take a lot from it. This series is one that I will be keeping an eye on to continue.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
July 25, 2014
Yefon had a miserable life. Her mother hated her and beat her constantly. Her sister and half-sisters all hated her, except for one, Kadoh. Having such a unique personality, Kahoh was always uplifting. The only other loving person in Yefon’s life was her father, and he adored her. The only problem was that he was home only one week each month. On her birthday, her father gives her a red necklace that once belonged to Ngonnso, the mother of her people. She soon discovers that the necklace is enchanted.
Even though this is nowhere near my genre of reading, I enjoyed this story immensely. It was heartbreaking the way Yefon’s mother treated her. She spent enough time writing about it that I could tell how much it hurt her to not feel her mother’s love. It’s only a wonder that she didn't break under all her circumstances. Her father always told her that she was special, and she unwaveringly believed him. I think that is what strengthened her the most.
I latched onto a quote of hers that resonated with me. “There is a fun side to see in every activity-even your death. I have come to realize that it is always only a matter of perception.” This is something I will be remembering in the future.
Even though this is nowhere near my genre of reading, I enjoyed this story immensely. It was heartbreaking the way Yefon’s mother treated her. She spent enough time writing about it that I could tell how much it hurt her to not feel her mother’s love. It’s only a wonder that she didn't break under all her circumstances. Her father always told her that she was special, and she unwaveringly believed him. I think that is what strengthened her the most.
I latched onto a quote of hers that resonated with me. “There is a fun side to see in every activity-even your death. I have come to realize that it is always only a matter of perception.” This is something I will be remembering in the future.
July 8, 2014
Let me just preface this review by saying that I forgot this was a trilogy and I was livid when the book just ended. Really!? Seriously!? It just ended.
Now that I realize it is a trilogy, I am much calmer because I really wasn’t sure how we were going to fit everything into one book.
Initially, I felt the book was a little slow for my taste, but I really got into.
Yefon’s way of life is so different than what I am accustomed too that I got lost in her world.
I felt that I could relate to Yefon in a lot of ways – the outspoken, tom boy-ish behavior; going against what we were told we are supposed to do and be. I felt that I could definitely relate to her on a much better level than anyone else in the story and I loved following her journey.
I am dying to get my hands on the second book to continue the journey. I have so many wishes for Yefon that I want to see where her destiny leads!
I definitely recommend this read!
Now that I realize it is a trilogy, I am much calmer because I really wasn’t sure how we were going to fit everything into one book.
Initially, I felt the book was a little slow for my taste, but I really got into.
Yefon’s way of life is so different than what I am accustomed too that I got lost in her world.
I felt that I could relate to Yefon in a lot of ways – the outspoken, tom boy-ish behavior; going against what we were told we are supposed to do and be. I felt that I could definitely relate to her on a much better level than anyone else in the story and I loved following her journey.
I am dying to get my hands on the second book to continue the journey. I have so many wishes for Yefon that I want to see where her destiny leads!
I definitely recommend this read!
July 23, 2014
Yefon quickly grew on me. The author weaves history, culture and her life story into a novel that draws you in. Yefon speaks to you and you eagerly sit down to listen and take it all in. You become engrossed in her story because you know it is a great one and want to know how she rose to greatness and overcame obstacles. The language and traditions of Yefon’s culture are a part of the book – the author writes in a way that you are able to comprehend what the characters are referring to (and includes a handy-dandy glossary with definitions and additional insight!).
Yefon is a part of a society that does not value women and is surrounded by people that are rooting against her. What she does have in her corner is a father that tells her how special she is from a young age and that he believes she will accomplish great things because it is her destiny. Even with his tragic death, she continues to believe and hold onto the words he spoke to her. I loved this part of the story the most.
Yefon is a part of a society that does not value women and is surrounded by people that are rooting against her. What she does have in her corner is a father that tells her how special she is from a young age and that he believes she will accomplish great things because it is her destiny. Even with his tragic death, she continues to believe and hold onto the words he spoke to her. I loved this part of the story the most.
July 11, 2014
Yefon is set in a time period where women were not only discouraged from education, but that desire to learn could get them killed! Her father sees something in Yefon and compels her to follow her dream, but the girls in her life including her own family do not appreciate her idosyncracies. Her father gives her a red necklace that holds an important place in the story (read it and see what it is). At the end of the book, Yefon believes she has finally escaped from the jail sentence she calls life. Her 'friend' drives her back to captivity. That is where this book ends, and part two will begin. I'm excited to read the second book in this trilogy.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. If you would like me to review a product/book for you, contact me at philanthropicHR@yahoo.com Thank you for your time and God Bless!
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. If you would like me to review a product/book for you, contact me at philanthropicHR@yahoo.com Thank you for your time and God Bless!
July 11, 2014
This book is a wonderful way to introduce you to daily life in Cameroon! I loved reading about how the families interacted, how the planting was handled, and all the minutiae that fleshed out the story and made it real to me. Sahndra Fon Dufe has an excellent way of storytelling, showing you positives and negatives about each character and making you love them.
Yefon's story is both the same and different from other girls her age, as she struggles against society's plans for her and what she wants to do with her life.
The main downside for me is the ending. I know it's part of a trilogy but the abruptness of the ending threw me off (although it's making me wait for the next book, so I guess that works!)
*I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
Yefon's story is both the same and different from other girls her age, as she struggles against society's plans for her and what she wants to do with her life.
The main downside for me is the ending. I know it's part of a trilogy but the abruptness of the ending threw me off (although it's making me wait for the next book, so I guess that works!)
*I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
July 25, 2014
It is always so exciting to be engrossed in a book only to discover that the characters are both motivating and encouraging for others - to make a real difference in the lives of those he or she touches. This was just such a story. Dufe has a way of bringing out unknown emotions in a way that will touch you unexpectedly, which is rare today. I was elated to learn that this is not a stand-alone book.
Women especially will learn important values especially how to be a fighter, brave, full of integrity and compassion. In a world where it seems that men are the protagonists, this book enlightens and teaches that, no matter whom you are or what you do, everyone can change lives in ways they never thought possible. Relationships between characters were enriching and overwhelming with readers taking away a strong message when the last page is turned.
~The Book Stalker Reviewed
Women especially will learn important values especially how to be a fighter, brave, full of integrity and compassion. In a world where it seems that men are the protagonists, this book enlightens and teaches that, no matter whom you are or what you do, everyone can change lives in ways they never thought possible. Relationships between characters were enriching and overwhelming with readers taking away a strong message when the last page is turned.
~The Book Stalker Reviewed
July 18, 2014
I read this book not knowing what to expect. As I read the struggles that Yefon seen and went thru I was put in touch with emotions I had not felt in awhile. This girl was made to feel different because she dared to be something more than what they wanted her to be. She long to read and be educated despite the threat of death if she was to learn. The Red Neck her father left her makes her dreams within her reach. Was there really some magic or protection sealed in the necklace...Yefon has many dreams she wishes to obtain and reach. Don't miss read this book the struggles of one young ladies dream to change the world around her.
July 24, 2014
Emotionally Gripping!
YEFON: The Red Necklace by Sahndra Fon Dufe did not let me down. It starts off with the courage, the persistence and the will to make changes. It is a book on total dedication and inspiration. What is a black African girl to do? Cultures are different, not always easy to understand and assimilate.
I got hooked wanting to understand, recognize her world and of course, what was behind the red necklace that held so much importance in her life. It was intentionally written (I believe) to make me wonder what will actually happen to her when she puts herself in danger.
If you’re like me who likes something really different – I do recommend it.
Adriana LG
YEFON: The Red Necklace by Sahndra Fon Dufe did not let me down. It starts off with the courage, the persistence and the will to make changes. It is a book on total dedication and inspiration. What is a black African girl to do? Cultures are different, not always easy to understand and assimilate.
I got hooked wanting to understand, recognize her world and of course, what was behind the red necklace that held so much importance in her life. It was intentionally written (I believe) to make me wonder what will actually happen to her when she puts herself in danger.
If you’re like me who likes something really different – I do recommend it.
Adriana LG
May 23, 2014
All i have to say about this book was A M A Z I N G!, because i'm really not a book person at all, and to me books are boring but this book is
brilliant, outstanding, motivational, hilarious, and emotional all put it one. This is the the of book that can change someones life for the
better, and i love this book so much, i just recommend that everyone should just go and buy it and i promise, you will defiantly not regret
buying this incredible book.
brilliant, outstanding, motivational, hilarious, and emotional all put it one. This is the the of book that can change someones life for the
better, and i love this book so much, i just recommend that everyone should just go and buy it and i promise, you will defiantly not regret
buying this incredible book.
June 24, 2016
This is a fantastic book. The voice is simply incredible. At no point does it feel like a stiff block of color coded index cards which were glued together to become a book-- rather, this feels exactly like hearing a tale from a true ancestor. You will be so immersed in Yefon's recount that you'll forget this is fiction. The way the story unravels makes it feel real. A magnificent piece of writing.
July 18, 2014
This book was very inspiring for me. I loved the character Yefon and her desire to learn and also how the author portrayed each of the characters in the story. It really made me feel like I was there. I found it very interesting to learn about how she grew up as their culture is so much different from mine. I can't wait to read more.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
July 16, 2014
Holy Moly! Fon Dufe showed me a world that I had never imagined possible! I was surprised at how recently women were treated in this manner. I know that in some parts of the world women are not seen as equals, but for some reason have never thought that it was such a drastic difference; and that just 60 years ago women were essentially possessions.
July 27, 2014
When I first heard of this book I was not sure what it was going to be exactly. I am very glad I got the chance to read it though. Reading about someone else's struggles always makes me see my life in a different way. I have an easy life compared to Yefon. What she went through and experienced was emotional. She dared to push limits and follow her dreams. I enjoyed the book a lot.
July 7, 2014
Tales of the motherland
This is a very excellent read. It grabs you by the heart and won't let go until you are finished.
This is a very excellent read. It grabs you by the heart and won't let go until you are finished.
July 20, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Great author, great writing style. Her words truly drew me in and transported me to another world.
August 3, 2014
Interesting
I would of rated the book a five star except there wasn't any ending. Where is the following book fo
I would of rated the book a five star except there wasn't any ending. Where is the following book fo
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