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Aluta
For eighteen-year-old Charlotte, university life is better than she’d ever dreamed — a sophisticated and generous roommate, the camaraderie of dorm living, parties, clubs and boyfriends. Most of all, Charlotte is exposed to new ideas, and in 1981 Ghana, this may be the most exciting – and most dangerous — adventure of all.
At first Charlotte basks in her wonderful new freedom, especially being out of the watchful eye of her controlling and opinionated father. She suddenly finds herself with no shortage of male attention, including her charismatic political science professor, fellow student activist Banahene, and Asare, a wealthy oil broker who invites Charlotte to travel with him and showers her with expensive gifts, including a coveted passport.
But Ghana is fraught with a history of conflict. And in the middle of her freshman year, the government is overthrown, and three judges are abducted and murdered. As political forces try to mobilize students to advance their own agendas, Charlotte is drawn into the world of student politics. She’s good at it, she’s impassioned, and she’s in love with Banahene. “The struggle continues! Aluta! Aluta continua!” she shouts, rallying the crowd with the slogan of the oppressed. But her love of the spotlight puts her in the public eye. And when Asare entrusts her with a mysterious package of documents, she suddenly realizes she may be in real danger.
But it’s too late. As she is on her way to a meeting, Charlotte is picked up by national security, and her worst nightmares come true. And in the end, she must make a difficult and complicated decision about whether to leave her education, and her beloved Ghana, behind.
A heartfelt story told with uncompromising honesty, about what happens when youthful idealism meets the harsh realities of power.
A heartfelt story told with uncompromising honesty, about what happens when youthful idealism meets the harsh realities of power.
At first Charlotte basks in her wonderful new freedom, especially being out of the watchful eye of her controlling and opinionated father. She suddenly finds herself with no shortage of male attention, including her charismatic political science professor, fellow student activist Banahene, and Asare, a wealthy oil broker who invites Charlotte to travel with him and showers her with expensive gifts, including a coveted passport.
But Ghana is fraught with a history of conflict. And in the middle of her freshman year, the government is overthrown, and three judges are abducted and murdered. As political forces try to mobilize students to advance their own agendas, Charlotte is drawn into the world of student politics. She’s good at it, she’s impassioned, and she’s in love with Banahene. “The struggle continues! Aluta! Aluta continua!” she shouts, rallying the crowd with the slogan of the oppressed. But her love of the spotlight puts her in the public eye. And when Asare entrusts her with a mysterious package of documents, she suddenly realizes she may be in real danger.
But it’s too late. As she is on her way to a meeting, Charlotte is picked up by national security, and her worst nightmares come true. And in the end, she must make a difficult and complicated decision about whether to leave her education, and her beloved Ghana, behind.
A heartfelt story told with uncompromising honesty, about what happens when youthful idealism meets the harsh realities of power.
A heartfelt story told with uncompromising honesty, about what happens when youthful idealism meets the harsh realities of power.
223 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
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278 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 22, 2016
What can I say about this book? It is not suspenseful, in that the opening of the book begins with Charlette's capture. The rest of the book is the story behind the military capturing her and why. There has been a fourth coup d'eta, and Ghana has a new leader, and Charlette is at University.
So, if you want to read about a young woman and how she fairs in this time, well, I wish there were other fictional books told about Ghana, but this is the first one I have read. And you do learn about how life in Ghana was/is.
But, as a story goes, there is not a heck of a lot there. There are good guys, there are bad guys. There is love. But, and here I shrug my shoulders, there isn't much there there, as Gertrude Stein said about Oakland.
To start with her capture, and then work back, takes out all the tension.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, if you want to read about a young woman and how she fairs in this time, well, I wish there were other fictional books told about Ghana, but this is the first one I have read. And you do learn about how life in Ghana was/is.
But, as a story goes, there is not a heck of a lot there. There are good guys, there are bad guys. There is love. But, and here I shrug my shoulders, there isn't much there there, as Gertrude Stein said about Oakland.
To start with her capture, and then work back, takes out all the tension.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Read
June 7, 2020Summary: Charlotte Adom just gained admission to the University of Science and Technology (currently The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology) and life at the university is better than she dreamed of. She meets Mary-her sophisticated roommate. Mary introduces her to nightlife in Kumasi – parties, clubs and boyfriends. Charlotte actively joins student politics in school and finds herself in trouble – during the 1981 Coup d’etat period in Ghana.
Review: Aluta was a very easy, relatable and insightful read for me. Though I did not grow up during the time of the coup d’etat in the country, I grew up listening to stories from my parents. This book was an eye-opener in the sense that it transported me to the era of coup d’etat and how people lived through it.
I like that the book delved into student activism in Ghana’s politics. Large protest marches called Alutas organized by various Student Representative Councils (SRCs) bought about the change that Ghanaians desired – Democracy. I love a good history lesson in a storytelling form – this book nailed it right on the head.
The book explored prominent issues around education, governance, women leadership roles, student’s activism in Ghana’s politics, rape, parenting, love and friendship among others. Adwoa Badoe was real, honest and simple. The story took some time to fully capture my attention but after a few chapters, I was stuck on the pages like crazy.
I did not like how the story ended. (I will try not to give you spoilers). It could have been better – maybe a bit of love and good news in the end
Adwoa Badoe spiced up the story with Ghanaian words like Adinkrahene, Awo)shia, D)-me-a-bra, Kalabule etc. The book felt like home.
Note: Please don’t read this book if you are hungry – It felt like a cooking class on Ghanaian dishes.
Review: Aluta was a very easy, relatable and insightful read for me. Though I did not grow up during the time of the coup d’etat in the country, I grew up listening to stories from my parents. This book was an eye-opener in the sense that it transported me to the era of coup d’etat and how people lived through it.
I like that the book delved into student activism in Ghana’s politics. Large protest marches called Alutas organized by various Student Representative Councils (SRCs) bought about the change that Ghanaians desired – Democracy. I love a good history lesson in a storytelling form – this book nailed it right on the head.
The book explored prominent issues around education, governance, women leadership roles, student’s activism in Ghana’s politics, rape, parenting, love and friendship among others. Adwoa Badoe was real, honest and simple. The story took some time to fully capture my attention but after a few chapters, I was stuck on the pages like crazy.
I did not like how the story ended. (I will try not to give you spoilers). It could have been better – maybe a bit of love and good news in the end
Adwoa Badoe spiced up the story with Ghanaian words like Adinkrahene, Awo)shia, D)-me-a-bra, Kalabule etc. The book felt like home.
Note: Please don’t read this book if you are hungry – It felt like a cooking class on Ghanaian dishes.
July 27, 2017
Excellent book to introduce anyone to life in Ghana in the early 1980's and the idea of regime/government change.
January 19, 2022
Felt very disconnected from the writing. Almost overwhelming so. I enjoyed the story a lot and what it gave me of the background of Ghana and its politics was by far the best part. The rest was mostly filler for the anticipation I had for the big moment in the prologue, only to be severely disappointed. The second half was way more interesting to me that the first but that ending was not satisfying at all. Still, it was a fun time.
February 25, 2017
Started slow but ended very strong. Best cover of 2016.
November 22, 2022
Aluta tells the story of a young woman in Ghana in the early 80s. At university, she enjoys the privileges of freedom from her parents and the company of her new friends, including romantic interests. She navigates these relationships with child-like curiosity as well as maturity. When the government is overthrown and school is suspended, Charlotte does as she is commanded by the new leadership, sharpening her political opinion along the way.
This book takes an enthusiastic stab at telling the story of a woman who is coming into her own as an adult, away from her family unit for the first time, and coming into her own opinions in a time when having your opinions can be dangerous.
The ending of this book is a broad brush stroke, the author taking a lot of time to paint a landscape only to dump a solid color blue for the sky. The ending is rushed, dissatisfying, and doesn't do justice (or make a whole lot of sense for) to the book as a whole.
Would recommend it to older YA readers who have the propensity to look up a lot of the historical details not made explicit in the reading.
This book takes an enthusiastic stab at telling the story of a woman who is coming into her own as an adult, away from her family unit for the first time, and coming into her own opinions in a time when having your opinions can be dangerous.
The ending of this book is a broad brush stroke, the author taking a lot of time to paint a landscape only to dump a solid color blue for the sky. The ending is rushed, dissatisfying, and doesn't do justice (or make a whole lot of sense for) to the book as a whole.
Would recommend it to older YA readers who have the propensity to look up a lot of the historical details not made explicit in the reading.
May 4, 2021
🌀Review🌀
If you want to read a novel that gives you indepth emphasis on governance in Ghana during the post-colonial era, you must read Aluta.
The book tells the story of Charlotte a first year in University of Science and Technology who's interest in student politics is birth out of her tertiary students are used to drive the government's agenda when a coup d'etat happens.
The interest is fueled more when three high court judges are kidnapped and murdered.
The book is an historic one that teaches the reader a lot about what happened in post colonial Ghana when the PNDC under the late H.E Jerry John Rawlings came into power.
The book explores themes around governance, student politics, manipulation of power and others. The writer uses Ghanaian names and towns that really sells the identity of Ghana.
The ending though doesn't do justice to the whole story, the reader is left wondering what would have happened next.
If you want to read a novel that gives you indepth emphasis on governance in Ghana during the post-colonial era, you must read Aluta.
The book tells the story of Charlotte a first year in University of Science and Technology who's interest in student politics is birth out of her tertiary students are used to drive the government's agenda when a coup d'etat happens.
The interest is fueled more when three high court judges are kidnapped and murdered.
The book is an historic one that teaches the reader a lot about what happened in post colonial Ghana when the PNDC under the late H.E Jerry John Rawlings came into power.
The book explores themes around governance, student politics, manipulation of power and others. The writer uses Ghanaian names and towns that really sells the identity of Ghana.
The ending though doesn't do justice to the whole story, the reader is left wondering what would have happened next.
March 4, 2022
Aluta, a term referring to a large protest march, captures the social and political climate of Ghana during a series of military coups.
As a young college student, Charlotte is swept up in flashy parties, young love, and new ideas. When Ghana enters a period of political turmoil, her casual interest in politics quickly becomes dangerous.
This is the third book I read for February in Ghana, and it added the perfect dose of political and historical context that I was missing in my other selections. Aluta follows Charlotte through numerous political debates and discussions that illustrate conversations around the 1981 coup and following reforms. The prose and plot are relatively simple, but I enjoyed the no-frills approach to core issues.
Final thoughts: 👍🏻 Highly recommended
As a young college student, Charlotte is swept up in flashy parties, young love, and new ideas. When Ghana enters a period of political turmoil, her casual interest in politics quickly becomes dangerous.
This is the third book I read for February in Ghana, and it added the perfect dose of political and historical context that I was missing in my other selections. Aluta follows Charlotte through numerous political debates and discussions that illustrate conversations around the 1981 coup and following reforms. The prose and plot are relatively simple, but I enjoyed the no-frills approach to core issues.
Final thoughts: 👍🏻 Highly recommended
Read
August 9, 2022This is a good book about the history of Ghana through coups. Gives you an insight of how life was during the many transitions of Ghana. It’s for young adults and students will greatly appreciate this read especially senior high school students. One thing I didn’t like was the unnecessary explanations. Adwoa was over explaining everything , what shito was, what waakye is and her description for the waakye is wrong because it is not purple rice and beans. Beyond that it is an easy book to get into. The end is so Bering. When there is war, women suffer. Women suffer for everything . Charlotte did not deserve what happened to her. She didn’t and worse of it was that she had a reminder of what happened to her
August 17, 2022
If ever we had past lives , I think I existed in the 1950s- 1980s era because whenever I read any works of fiction or non- fiction situated in that time period I find myself distinctively electrified.
Perhaps it’s the excitement about the promising road ahead after fighting for and attaining independence, the idea that we would be the authors of our own future. I think it also has something to do with me perceiving the frame of mind and psyche of the characters, because it helps me understand the motivations of the older generation better, enables me to view my grandparents through different lenses.
This work of fiction is placed in post colonial 1980s Ghana 🇬🇭.
Perhaps it’s the excitement about the promising road ahead after fighting for and attaining independence, the idea that we would be the authors of our own future. I think it also has something to do with me perceiving the frame of mind and psyche of the characters, because it helps me understand the motivations of the older generation better, enables me to view my grandparents through different lenses.
This work of fiction is placed in post colonial 1980s Ghana 🇬🇭.
February 15, 2021
I would never know about this book other than through suggestions on the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge, which is an incredible means to get exposed to diversity in topics and authors. This one fit the category "Read a realistic YA book not set in the U.S., UK, or Canada". I certainly wasn't reading such heavy topics as a young adult, but I thought the fictitious story was gripping, I enjoyed learning about Ghana and appreciated that the book also drew on the true political climate.
September 8, 2017
The majority of this book is really solid but the ending, or lack there of, is pretty disappointing.
September 21, 2016
Charlotte is living her best life. She is settling into university life and getting used to all its perks. She has men lining up at her door, friends with whom she can talk the night away and, best of all, a father who is no longer able to watch every single thing she does. But what happens when political situations that are completely out of her hand disrupt her life? Charlotte has to choose between being active in the movement for justice or remaining the quiet girl her father would want her to be...
Reading this book felt a little like being on a see-saw. I started off feeling like I was the one on top, then there was a slow buildup to the main action of the story. I felt connected to Charlotte during this part. Charlotte is quite a relatable character. She is bold and beautiful --- timid at first, but not afraid to speak her mind when she has the chance. However, I spent too long at the top on the see-saw. I kept anticipating the part where I would finally be able to experience the action of the story that was introduced in the blurb. When was it coming? The answer, at least for me, was a little too long into the book. There was a long buildup to the story, which was great and allowed me to understand the characters, but the actual action took place in such a short amount of time that it felt like it didn’t belong. It took too long in getting set up that I was abruptly brought down with not a lot of explanation.
Romantic relationships and I have a long history. That is to say, I have never been in one (except in some truly wonderful dreams), and I don’t see the point of them most of the time (at least in books). I have seen an increasing trend of authors simply putting in romantic relationships into novels for some unknown reason. I wonder sometimes if it’s because they feel that their characters are incomplete without the added depth a romantic relationship gives them. The relationship between Banahene and Charlotte seemed to come out of nowhere. There were only a hint of romantic feelings by Banahene and none by Charlotte that I could pick up on. Everything the author wanted to accomplish by giving Charlotte a romantic relationship could have been portrayed by simply making their relationship a close friendship. Perhaps it is the cynical part of me talking but I did not see how a romantic relationship really had a huge impact on the book as a whole.
Overall, I enjoyed the book for the rich culture and history of Ghana it portrayed. I was able to start several conversations with my classmates all of whom are greatly interested in African history. I had never read a novel quite like this; it was a unique way to portray the journey to independence of a small nation.
As a disclaimer and very important note to those planning to read ALUTA, the end of the book is extremely heartbreaking. Everything is going so well for Charlotte, but then she becomes the victim of a brutal physical assualt and subsequent trauma, all of which happens in the last 50 pages. This was a little like the see-saw effect. It all happened too quickly for me to comprehend everything. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and felt sympathy for Charlotte.
Reviewed by Pranshu A., Teen Board Member
Reading this book felt a little like being on a see-saw. I started off feeling like I was the one on top, then there was a slow buildup to the main action of the story. I felt connected to Charlotte during this part. Charlotte is quite a relatable character. She is bold and beautiful --- timid at first, but not afraid to speak her mind when she has the chance. However, I spent too long at the top on the see-saw. I kept anticipating the part where I would finally be able to experience the action of the story that was introduced in the blurb. When was it coming? The answer, at least for me, was a little too long into the book. There was a long buildup to the story, which was great and allowed me to understand the characters, but the actual action took place in such a short amount of time that it felt like it didn’t belong. It took too long in getting set up that I was abruptly brought down with not a lot of explanation.
Romantic relationships and I have a long history. That is to say, I have never been in one (except in some truly wonderful dreams), and I don’t see the point of them most of the time (at least in books). I have seen an increasing trend of authors simply putting in romantic relationships into novels for some unknown reason. I wonder sometimes if it’s because they feel that their characters are incomplete without the added depth a romantic relationship gives them. The relationship between Banahene and Charlotte seemed to come out of nowhere. There were only a hint of romantic feelings by Banahene and none by Charlotte that I could pick up on. Everything the author wanted to accomplish by giving Charlotte a romantic relationship could have been portrayed by simply making their relationship a close friendship. Perhaps it is the cynical part of me talking but I did not see how a romantic relationship really had a huge impact on the book as a whole.
Overall, I enjoyed the book for the rich culture and history of Ghana it portrayed. I was able to start several conversations with my classmates all of whom are greatly interested in African history. I had never read a novel quite like this; it was a unique way to portray the journey to independence of a small nation.
As a disclaimer and very important note to those planning to read ALUTA, the end of the book is extremely heartbreaking. Everything is going so well for Charlotte, but then she becomes the victim of a brutal physical assualt and subsequent trauma, all of which happens in the last 50 pages. This was a little like the see-saw effect. It all happened too quickly for me to comprehend everything. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and felt sympathy for Charlotte.
Reviewed by Pranshu A., Teen Board Member
March 2, 2017
I know nothing about Ghana or it's political history. This was very interesting from that perspective.
2017 Popsugar Challenge - main character that is a different ethnicity than you
2017 Popsugar Challenge - main character that is a different ethnicity than you
August 14, 2016
Aluta by Adwoa Badoe was a very interesting and different type of teen novel. It is set in 1981 Ghana, with the main character Charlotte being a university student. She is moving to the university from her house and is getting used to the big city life. She has never experienced this before. She meets many characters here, from her upper year and much more experienced roommate, Mary, who dresses glamorously and is engaged to a rich man. Plus, she meets her friends in the dorm, including Mary’s outspoken cousin, Banahene and an older rich man, Asare (who she is introduced to by Mary). I feel that Mary was a very important part of Charlotte’s life.
Charlotte starts off the book very naive and shy but as the book goes on she is developed into a much stronger character. Asare makes many grand gestures to Charlotte to show his admiration and she goes along with it at first. However, this was the time of changing politics in Ghana. It was almost like two different stories, before and after the change of government. When the change started to happen her almost boyfriend Asare leaves her a package of money to guard over while he flees the country. He also leaves her a note saying that he will wait for her. I feel too for Asare because to the outsider looking in, it looks like Charlotte was leading him on when honestly she was just trying to find herself. When the government forces her to work she falls in love with Banahene and his politics and she finds her self in the newspaper fighting for her rights, which is very shocking for her family who she was always shy and quiet with. The newspaper article draws attention to her, and she is kidnapped and interrogated. This is where the book originally started, with the cliffhanger, I will admit throughout the first half of the book, I thought how could this quiet girl get involved in these dangerous politics, however as the book went on her character evolved.
The ending was really shocking and a complete twist of what I thought was going to happen. The ending left me speechless. I loved the use of different words, and the glossary in the back explaining what they meant. This was a really unique book that I really enjoyed.
Charlotte starts off the book very naive and shy but as the book goes on she is developed into a much stronger character. Asare makes many grand gestures to Charlotte to show his admiration and she goes along with it at first. However, this was the time of changing politics in Ghana. It was almost like two different stories, before and after the change of government. When the change started to happen her almost boyfriend Asare leaves her a package of money to guard over while he flees the country. He also leaves her a note saying that he will wait for her. I feel too for Asare because to the outsider looking in, it looks like Charlotte was leading him on when honestly she was just trying to find herself. When the government forces her to work she falls in love with Banahene and his politics and she finds her self in the newspaper fighting for her rights, which is very shocking for her family who she was always shy and quiet with. The newspaper article draws attention to her, and she is kidnapped and interrogated. This is where the book originally started, with the cliffhanger, I will admit throughout the first half of the book, I thought how could this quiet girl get involved in these dangerous politics, however as the book went on her character evolved.
The ending was really shocking and a complete twist of what I thought was going to happen. The ending left me speechless. I loved the use of different words, and the glossary in the back explaining what they meant. This was a really unique book that I really enjoyed.
February 21, 2023
GO to college, see a new world. In Ghana, a country I know too little about
August 27, 2016
Having lived in Ghana through the revolution, I was excited to receive an ARC of Aluta, a young adult novel set in the political turmoil. The story opens with Charlotte, a girl entering university for the first time, brimming with the usual freshman excitement and fears. She has barely settled into college life when a military coup threatens her future and rages against the wealth of middle class parents. As the revolution tears through the country, university students revolt. At a time when college girls are supposed be demure, Charlotte joins the resistance dubbed Aluta. She becomes a leading figure whose beauty is both a blessing and a curse as she juggles a charismatic boyfriend and a rich admirer who become mired in the danger.
Charlotte is the kind of narrator I like: courageous, charming and imperfect, inspiring both respect and hatred. Adwoa Badoe’s writing is refreshingly traditional, almost journalistic, straight to the point and devoid of purple prose. One delves into the story with few distractions. Badoe details the progression of the riots to an extent that hasn’t been done before. At the same time, she gives us glimpses into campus life at the University of Science and technology with its charm and quirks. Of particular note is her extensive use of dialogue which I found an effective vehicle for moving the story. Aluta doesn’t disappoint, and the end is a tear-jerker.
Charlotte is the kind of narrator I like: courageous, charming and imperfect, inspiring both respect and hatred. Adwoa Badoe’s writing is refreshingly traditional, almost journalistic, straight to the point and devoid of purple prose. One delves into the story with few distractions. Badoe details the progression of the riots to an extent that hasn’t been done before. At the same time, she gives us glimpses into campus life at the University of Science and technology with its charm and quirks. Of particular note is her extensive use of dialogue which I found an effective vehicle for moving the story. Aluta doesn’t disappoint, and the end is a tear-jerker.
January 4, 2019
"Aluta" ist nicht das erste Buch von Adwoa Badoe, aber das erste ihrer Werke, dass auch auf deutsch erschienen ist. Ich habe es zufällig in der Bibliothek unter den Neuanschaffungen entdeckt und bin sehr froh, diese Autorin entdeckt zu haben.
"Aluta" erzählt die Coming-of-Age-Geschichte von Charlotte in Ghana rund um den Beginn des Militärputsches von 1981, eine Zeit die man aus dem Geschichtsunterricht an deutschen Schulen nicht kennt. Adwoa Badoe erzählt auf eine Art und Weise, dass man fast glaubt, sie sei dabei gewesen. Das Buch lebt nicht von Spannung, man weiß nach den ersten drei Seiten wie es ausgeht. Aber Charlottes Weg und die Entwicklung ihrer (politischen) Weltsicht sind aufregend genug, um das Buch in einem Rutsch zu lesen.
Mich hat "Aluta" ein wenig an "Nachts ist es leise in Teheran" von Shida Bazyar erinnert. Ich hoffe dass auch "Between Sisters" von Adwoa Badoe ins Deutsche übersetzt wird. Diese Autorin ist es wert gelesen zu werden.
"Aluta" erzählt die Coming-of-Age-Geschichte von Charlotte in Ghana rund um den Beginn des Militärputsches von 1981, eine Zeit die man aus dem Geschichtsunterricht an deutschen Schulen nicht kennt. Adwoa Badoe erzählt auf eine Art und Weise, dass man fast glaubt, sie sei dabei gewesen. Das Buch lebt nicht von Spannung, man weiß nach den ersten drei Seiten wie es ausgeht. Aber Charlottes Weg und die Entwicklung ihrer (politischen) Weltsicht sind aufregend genug, um das Buch in einem Rutsch zu lesen.
Mich hat "Aluta" ein wenig an "Nachts ist es leise in Teheran" von Shida Bazyar erinnert. Ich hoffe dass auch "Between Sisters" von Adwoa Badoe ins Deutsche übersetzt wird. Diese Autorin ist es wert gelesen zu werden.
March 28, 2018
I was excited to read this book, but mostly it was just ok. I enjoyed the first 2/3 well enough, but the last third read like a Go Ask Alice, but for politics. Not that awful things don't happen during revolutions, but it felt too much like a set up -- good, innocent girl discovers sexuality and gets loud about her views in politics, enjoys the attention she gets for being intelligent and well-spoken, but then everyone close to her leaves her, she gets raped, accepts that her protests against the revolution have failed, and goes to a convent to give birth. The end. It ends up reading like any hundreds of Catholic Guilt Punishment Porn teen novels from the 70s, which is pretty disappointing because it has the potential to be so much more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2016
A very good book. I wish it would end a bit differently. I love me some good kelewele! Once again, magnificent job on a great book! I love the University experience and I love how students took leader for Ghanaian peace all in the name of love. Certainly five star worthy! I recommend this book to older high school students and post-secondary students: it's never to early or late to make a change. Splendid job Mrs. Badoe.
November 11, 2025
As I got closer to the end of this book…. The treatment Charlotte faced almost made me so emotional. I’ve learned so much from reading this story especially of the wrong doings under Jerry John Rawlings ruling and the harsh killings of the 3 judges. I will now wonder if Mary ever got back into contact with Banahene or what was the ruling in Asare’s trial? I really loved how she mixed real events within fiction. What a deep well written story….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2017
best part of this book was the description of the politics and culture in Ghana. the story was ok, but the background information provided was made it stand out.
April 15, 2017
I learned a lot about Ghana and I liked Charlotte's spirit, but the different plot developments felt disconnected from one another.
April 26, 2017
This is a fascinating introduction to Ghana in the early 80s and the power of students even during times of great upheaval. Charlotte and her friends in Africa House all have different experiences at university and through that we can see many perspectives on Ghana and the latest military coup.
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May 17, 2017Fascinating, but not subtle.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews