Mad Women: True stories of defiant Kenyan women

by Joan Thatiah

244 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2026

Reviews

[Muthoni Munyambu · Rating 5 out of 5]

These women made choices that worked for themselves, and only themselves. Women are taught from childhood to place others first, to shrink, to accommodate. These women refused. They chose themselves.
You do not have to agree with their choices. You do not even have to like them. But you cannot deny their defiance.

[Wesley Sitati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having really enjoyed Confessions of Nairobi Men Part 2 and reading Joan Thatiah’s work alongside my partner, I came into Mad Women expecting the same level of shock, spectacle, and emotional chaos I had grown accustomed to from the Confessions series. It doesn’t quite reach those heights for me, but that is less a flaw of the book and more a consequence of expectation.

What Mad Women does well is different. The women across these stories are messy, defiant, contradictory, tender, reckless, and painfully human. I loved how they pushed beyond societal expectations and rejected the suffocating idea of what a “normal” woman should look like, act like, or desire.

Not every story landed with the same force, but there were enough striking moments to keep me completely locked in. I did after all finish this in under 48 hours. Joan Thatiah continues to write with honesty and emotional sharpness, even when the stories feel quieter than her previous work.

A very solid read, even if I slightly missed the emotional rush of Confessions.

[Maureen Nzambi · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘These are not stories of perfect women. They’re not stories of perfect women who always do the right thing or follow the rules. They are stories of women who are messy, defiant, daring, sometimes wreck less, but always human’~ Joan Thatiah

Joan did it again! Coming from a book slump this was just the book to do it. I love how Joan giving people a platform to tell their stories and she writes them very well.

[Wangu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Stories of women who are messy, defiant, daring and sometimes reckless but always human.” Loved the stories, Stay with me was so sad 😢

[Joan Tash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed reading a Kenyan story, especially for its deep sense of relatability. The ten weighty stories, steeped in prolonged survival mode and recurring sadness, are compelling, but at times they dilute the sharper edge of the book’s feminist core. Joan Thatiah could have leaned more boldly into themes of female audacity, resistance, and women defying rigid social expectations. Still, Mad Women remains a refreshing and necessary celebration of Kenyan voices in literature.

[The Ess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mad Women is a collection of stories based on Women's lived experiences. It is unapologetic, wild, and for some, it would probably be uncomfortable. It will show you the aspects of womanhood society tries so hard to silence: the choice to be childfree, and the quiet negotiations between religion and obedience.

It takes you the Streets of Nairobi, and the women who survive them. It will take you through grief, gender-based violence, emotional exhaustion, and the ways in which women are expected to shrink to remain acceptable. But at the end you encounter women who choose themselves even when it cost them something.

The stories, shift, surprise, and unsettle. You don't get to judge this book by it's cover. And once Joan captures your attention, it becomes hard to put the book down - not because it is an easy read, but because it is honest.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a disappointing read, mostly because of the writing. It has a monotone quality that takes away from the depth of the stories. And if I'm being honest, when I read "...defiant Kenyan women," I expected more, not to say that the women in this book aren't defiant.

Additionally, the book follows a structure very similar to the Confessions series, which I've read in its entirety and found okay. However, with a title like Mad Women, I expected stories about women who were unconventional, scandalous or downright shocking not "mad" in the literal sense, but women whose lives challenged societal expectations in unexpected ways. Ultimately, my disappointment stems from what feels like a misleading title and a reading experience that didn't live up to its premise.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes I will give it a 5 star rating. This is my first JT book and I loved it immensely. I related with each and every story. I went through a whirlwind of emotions and didn't struggle to read the book. There were very few places where I felt she was over writing but I pushed on because I knew the story would be good and authentic. Amazing prose. Just great literary work. I highly recommend

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Book!

Some stories left me contemplative. Some left me too stunned to speak. Others left me questioning what I would have done if posed with the same situation.

Let us give Joan her flowers and all commendations while she is still with us. Thank you for stewarding these women's stories so well. I am proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a Kenyan woman. I am proud to be a mad woman!

[Faith Nyakwaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Joan Thatiah read. I got into this book expecting to read stories about women doing outrageous and unexpected things so I was abit disappointed when the story was far from that.
Otherwise, good stuff.

[Jenaiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking,it makes you question morality at the expense of survival.

[Lavender Amunga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love her works. Can’t complain. She spoke to me, as usual!

[Muhonja Agama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very refreshing read😇

[Sharon Mitani · Rating 4 out of 5]

For most women, the world doesn't care about why you're struggling with whatever, only whether you can keep up.

[Christine Namara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the short story collection thing she does. So well written.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

To defiant women 🫡

[Wangari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Women who decided to dance to the beat of their drums.

[Nyasuguta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories of bold women with relatable experiences. The Matriachy stood out to me because it reminded me that there is often more than meets the eye. The book was so refreshing and easy to read.

[Winnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a day. So captivating! Joan told these women’s stories beautiful and with dignity;as hard as I could tell some were to paint. Worth your while!

[Stella N · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I hope you see that your defiance is not madness."

[Ink and Quill]

I must admit these are well told stories.

The characters in the book got me, glued to the sky, and thinking about the place of women in the contemporary Society.

[Wanjiru Mburu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some stories were truly audacious, some were mid. I like the idea of women refusing to be defined by men and societal norms.

[Mel🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an enlightening book hearing stories from women. It being set in Kenya really helps you put yourself in other’s shoes as you relate to most of what is written