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The Beautiful Mother
You are her mother at this moment. The future is another time.
In a remote corner of Tanzania, Essie Lawrence lives with her husband in an archaeologist’s camp. One morning a chance encounter with two strangers sees her making a rash promise. When she returns home to the research base, she has a baby in her arms. Essie is to care for the little girl until the coming of the rains. And then hand her back.
The organised world of Magadi Research Camp is turned upside down. As her heart opens up to new life, Essie is drawn into the ancient wisdom of the Hadza, the last hunter-gatherer tribe in East Africa. And she is led back to memories of her own mother and her first home on the island of Tasmania, at the far end of the world. But there is a price to pay. Essie's marriage, her career - everything she's worked for - is put at risk.
On the shores of the flamingo lake, personal stories are played out alongside the Lawrences’ quest to find the origins of the human species. Nightmares and dreams go hand in hand as past and present merge. What is real and what will turn to dust? And after a season of being a mother, will Essie be able to survive the hardest challenge of all? To love, and then let go …
An exquisite and heart-piercing story of one woman’s bond with a baby, The Beautiful Mother will resonate with every parent, crossing time, place and culture. It is an unforgettable exploration of what it really means to be a member of the human family, revealing the deep need we all have to find our own tribe.
In a remote corner of Tanzania, Essie Lawrence lives with her husband in an archaeologist’s camp. One morning a chance encounter with two strangers sees her making a rash promise. When she returns home to the research base, she has a baby in her arms. Essie is to care for the little girl until the coming of the rains. And then hand her back.
The organised world of Magadi Research Camp is turned upside down. As her heart opens up to new life, Essie is drawn into the ancient wisdom of the Hadza, the last hunter-gatherer tribe in East Africa. And she is led back to memories of her own mother and her first home on the island of Tasmania, at the far end of the world. But there is a price to pay. Essie's marriage, her career - everything she's worked for - is put at risk.
On the shores of the flamingo lake, personal stories are played out alongside the Lawrences’ quest to find the origins of the human species. Nightmares and dreams go hand in hand as past and present merge. What is real and what will turn to dust? And after a season of being a mother, will Essie be able to survive the hardest challenge of all? To love, and then let go …
An exquisite and heart-piercing story of one woman’s bond with a baby, The Beautiful Mother will resonate with every parent, crossing time, place and culture. It is an unforgettable exploration of what it really means to be a member of the human family, revealing the deep need we all have to find our own tribe.
480 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2020
21 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Scholes
34 books94 followersKatherine Scholes was born in Tanzania, East Africa, the daughter of a missionary doctor and an artist. She has fond memories of travelling with her parents and siblings on long safaris to remote areas where her father operated a clinic from his Land Rover. When she was ten, the family left Tanzania, going first to England and then settling in Tasmania. As an adult, Katherine moved to Melbourne with her film-maker husband. After working there for many years, writing books and making films, they returned with their two sons to live in Tasmania.
Katherine's internationally bestselling novels have been translated into numerous languages. She is especially popular in Germany and France, where she has sold over two million books.
Katherine's internationally bestselling novels have been translated into numerous languages. She is especially popular in Germany and France, where she has sold over two million books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 3, 2020
* https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
‘Mama Mzuri. Beautiful Mother.’
The Beautiful Mother is an in depth and poignant set piece that considers issues of motherhood, protection, care, nature versus nurture, belonging, recovery and the power of relationships. Situated in Tanzania in the 1970s, The Beautiful Mother completely immerses the reader from the opening paragraph in this highly atmospheric locale. I really enjoyed The Beautiful Mother, it touched my soul deeply.
Essie Lawrence has devoted herself to the world of archeological research with her husband Ian. Living on a remote camp in Tanzania, a fateful encounter with some strangers sees this young woman’s life irrevocably changed by the meeting. Essie has been asked to care for a baby for the duration of a season, a baby who is not of her own heritage or culture. Initially shocked and apprehensive, Essie takes care of the infant as best she can and soon enough a strong bond ensues. But Essie’s life in the Magaldi Research Camp is not the place for a young baby. Essie must learn how to negotiate care for the baby while maintaining her responsibilities on the dig site and deal with the new strains this child has brought to her marriage. As Essie confronts some tough life issues, the Magadi is on the verge of a great discovery, but the pressure of finances comes into play. Essie’s core relationships are put the test and as time goes on Essie realises that her season as a mother will soon come to a close, what will she do after?
With over two million books sold, international bestselling author Katherine Scholes seems to be going from strength to strength. The Beautiful Mother is the fourth book I have read by the Tanzanian born author, who now calls Tasmania her home. Each Katherine Scholes novel I have read has offered a rich presentation of history, culture, landscape, characters and relationships. I always come away with a sense of having learnt something new in terms of a place in the world I know very little about previous to picking up one of Scholes’ novels. This was very much the case with The Beautiful Mother. Scholes’ latest release really pulled at the heartstrings.
Scholes does an excellent job as usual of setting the scene, we are very easily lifted to the majestic beauty of the East African landscape. From the research base itself where we spend the bulk of the novel, through to the rocky mountain plains, the spectacular volcanic area, the deep caves, to the stunning lake inhabited by the awe inspiring local flamingo population, The Beautiful Mother presents the reader with a true visual feast. I have always longed to make a trip to Africa and Tanzania is definitely on my list of must see locales, thanks in part to this stunning novel. The descriptions Scholes offers of the flora, fauna and landscape is second to none.
The Beautiful Mother is Essie Lawrence’s moving story. Essie is devoted to her career and work on the Magadi Research Camp with her husband Ian. We learn that Ian’s family hold a long lasting legacy in this region in regards to archaeological study. Although Essie doesn’t realise it at the time, her innate ability to take on the role of a mother is there for all to see, despite the fact that Essie doesn’t see it herself. Essie’s devotion and care for Tommy, an orphaned gazelle, is so touching, it almost brought a tear to my eye. We come to understand through these experiences that Essie is a genuine, giving and beautiful soul. I can completely understand why Essie was bequeathed to take care of a Hazda baby. This is an interesting scenario in itself. I really debated rather hard about what I would do, how I would cope and react if I was put in Essie’s position. It would have been rather confronting for this career woman, to be suddenly thrust with the care of a baby from a completely different culture and heritage to her own. Essie seems to embrace the situation, despite her initial shock and the adjustment period she endures, which at times is plagued by Essie’s self doubt. There are some interesting dynamics that come into play, from her husband Ian’s reaction, to her mother in law’s haunting past memories, through to her companion Simon’s supportive response. It is remarkable and poignant character journey that I found wholly satisfying.
Woven within the motherhood story is a fascinating insight into the work of Essie’s research base. The archaeological focus on unearthing remains linked to the evolution of the human species from African based apes was absolutely riveting. I have very little prior knowledge of this area of archaeology and scientific discovery, so the opportunity to glean more about this area of interest through a very accessible narrative was very much welcomed on my part. This area of Africa was certainly a treasure trove in terms of the fossils that are gathered from the region. Another significant focus of the story is the Hazda, a kind of lost hunter and gatherer clan, where the young baby Essie names Mara originates from. This was another subject I had no existing knowledge to call on, so Scholes provided such a wealth of education for this reader via her new novel.
I tend to be a hurried reader, racing through my books to get to the next one as soon as I can. The Beautiful Mother encouraged me to step my reading level down a level or two in order to take in all this one had to offer. I recommend doing the same if you are inclined to hurry through your books. The end is absolutely devastating, but also poignant. This is one heart ripping tale that I will not forget any time soon. The Beautiful Mother by the very talented storyteller Katherine Scholes is a book that I highly endorse.
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Beautiful Mother is book #89 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
‘Mama Mzuri. Beautiful Mother.’
The Beautiful Mother is an in depth and poignant set piece that considers issues of motherhood, protection, care, nature versus nurture, belonging, recovery and the power of relationships. Situated in Tanzania in the 1970s, The Beautiful Mother completely immerses the reader from the opening paragraph in this highly atmospheric locale. I really enjoyed The Beautiful Mother, it touched my soul deeply.
Essie Lawrence has devoted herself to the world of archeological research with her husband Ian. Living on a remote camp in Tanzania, a fateful encounter with some strangers sees this young woman’s life irrevocably changed by the meeting. Essie has been asked to care for a baby for the duration of a season, a baby who is not of her own heritage or culture. Initially shocked and apprehensive, Essie takes care of the infant as best she can and soon enough a strong bond ensues. But Essie’s life in the Magaldi Research Camp is not the place for a young baby. Essie must learn how to negotiate care for the baby while maintaining her responsibilities on the dig site and deal with the new strains this child has brought to her marriage. As Essie confronts some tough life issues, the Magadi is on the verge of a great discovery, but the pressure of finances comes into play. Essie’s core relationships are put the test and as time goes on Essie realises that her season as a mother will soon come to a close, what will she do after?
With over two million books sold, international bestselling author Katherine Scholes seems to be going from strength to strength. The Beautiful Mother is the fourth book I have read by the Tanzanian born author, who now calls Tasmania her home. Each Katherine Scholes novel I have read has offered a rich presentation of history, culture, landscape, characters and relationships. I always come away with a sense of having learnt something new in terms of a place in the world I know very little about previous to picking up one of Scholes’ novels. This was very much the case with The Beautiful Mother. Scholes’ latest release really pulled at the heartstrings.
Scholes does an excellent job as usual of setting the scene, we are very easily lifted to the majestic beauty of the East African landscape. From the research base itself where we spend the bulk of the novel, through to the rocky mountain plains, the spectacular volcanic area, the deep caves, to the stunning lake inhabited by the awe inspiring local flamingo population, The Beautiful Mother presents the reader with a true visual feast. I have always longed to make a trip to Africa and Tanzania is definitely on my list of must see locales, thanks in part to this stunning novel. The descriptions Scholes offers of the flora, fauna and landscape is second to none.
The Beautiful Mother is Essie Lawrence’s moving story. Essie is devoted to her career and work on the Magadi Research Camp with her husband Ian. We learn that Ian’s family hold a long lasting legacy in this region in regards to archaeological study. Although Essie doesn’t realise it at the time, her innate ability to take on the role of a mother is there for all to see, despite the fact that Essie doesn’t see it herself. Essie’s devotion and care for Tommy, an orphaned gazelle, is so touching, it almost brought a tear to my eye. We come to understand through these experiences that Essie is a genuine, giving and beautiful soul. I can completely understand why Essie was bequeathed to take care of a Hazda baby. This is an interesting scenario in itself. I really debated rather hard about what I would do, how I would cope and react if I was put in Essie’s position. It would have been rather confronting for this career woman, to be suddenly thrust with the care of a baby from a completely different culture and heritage to her own. Essie seems to embrace the situation, despite her initial shock and the adjustment period she endures, which at times is plagued by Essie’s self doubt. There are some interesting dynamics that come into play, from her husband Ian’s reaction, to her mother in law’s haunting past memories, through to her companion Simon’s supportive response. It is remarkable and poignant character journey that I found wholly satisfying.
Woven within the motherhood story is a fascinating insight into the work of Essie’s research base. The archaeological focus on unearthing remains linked to the evolution of the human species from African based apes was absolutely riveting. I have very little prior knowledge of this area of archaeology and scientific discovery, so the opportunity to glean more about this area of interest through a very accessible narrative was very much welcomed on my part. This area of Africa was certainly a treasure trove in terms of the fossils that are gathered from the region. Another significant focus of the story is the Hazda, a kind of lost hunter and gatherer clan, where the young baby Essie names Mara originates from. This was another subject I had no existing knowledge to call on, so Scholes provided such a wealth of education for this reader via her new novel.
I tend to be a hurried reader, racing through my books to get to the next one as soon as I can. The Beautiful Mother encouraged me to step my reading level down a level or two in order to take in all this one had to offer. I recommend doing the same if you are inclined to hurry through your books. The end is absolutely devastating, but also poignant. This is one heart ripping tale that I will not forget any time soon. The Beautiful Mother by the very talented storyteller Katherine Scholes is a book that I highly endorse.
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Beautiful Mother is book #89 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
April 3, 2021
What a wonderful story this one is, set in Tanzania in 1970 on an archaeologist dig, we have a journey of discovery with Essie Lawrence, Essie married into the famous archaeologist family five years ago, she lives with her husband Ian and his mother Julia and great many African workers from different tribes, life is slow with funding running out, when a chance meeting with the Hadza tribe will change Essie’s life forever.
The Magadi research camp is very close to a volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai the Lawrence family work daily searching for past life hoping to make a big discovery, they are expecting visitors and the hope of more funding when Essie is out searching she runs into a Hadza tribe and she is asked to take on the care of a baby for a few months, children are not something that Essie has ever wanted but for some reason she takes this baby girl back to camp knowing that is going to cause a lot of upheaval in everyone’s life, maybe especially for her mother in law Julia and over the course of a few months Essie is discovering things from her past as she grows to love the baby girl Mara.
MS Scholes has described this area beautifully, the salt lakes that are at the base of the volcano the flamingoes that come to breed each year and she delves into the people that are part of the land as well as the Lawrence family and their past, the cultural beliefs of these people and how they somehow can blend with the Europeans that are living here looking for the past. I loved seeing Essie learn so much about the Hadza from her assistant Simon and loved seeing her falling for the beautiful baby the bond that grew between them opened so much in Essie, that had her delving further into her past.
I really loved this story it is heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time, discoveries from the past can lead to personal discoveries, Essie was such a strong woman who had her heart torn, and she had such feelings for the tribes and their beliefs and stood her ground for what she thought was right, this is a story that I would highly recommend, this is my first book by MS Scholes but it won’t be the last, a fabulous story about love and the past and future and the descriptions took me to Tanzania thank you.
The Magadi research camp is very close to a volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai the Lawrence family work daily searching for past life hoping to make a big discovery, they are expecting visitors and the hope of more funding when Essie is out searching she runs into a Hadza tribe and she is asked to take on the care of a baby for a few months, children are not something that Essie has ever wanted but for some reason she takes this baby girl back to camp knowing that is going to cause a lot of upheaval in everyone’s life, maybe especially for her mother in law Julia and over the course of a few months Essie is discovering things from her past as she grows to love the baby girl Mara.
MS Scholes has described this area beautifully, the salt lakes that are at the base of the volcano the flamingoes that come to breed each year and she delves into the people that are part of the land as well as the Lawrence family and their past, the cultural beliefs of these people and how they somehow can blend with the Europeans that are living here looking for the past. I loved seeing Essie learn so much about the Hadza from her assistant Simon and loved seeing her falling for the beautiful baby the bond that grew between them opened so much in Essie, that had her delving further into her past.
I really loved this story it is heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time, discoveries from the past can lead to personal discoveries, Essie was such a strong woman who had her heart torn, and she had such feelings for the tribes and their beliefs and stood her ground for what she thought was right, this is a story that I would highly recommend, this is my first book by MS Scholes but it won’t be the last, a fabulous story about love and the past and future and the descriptions took me to Tanzania thank you.
April 15, 2020
Set in Tanzania during the 1970’s The Beautiful Mother by Katherine Scholes centre’s around archaeologist Essie, who has lived at the Magadi Research Camp since her marriage to fellow archaeologist Ian Lawrence, five years earlier. The Camp, first founded by Ian’s father, and still home to his mother, Julia, has been the source of a number of valuable finds, but with no recent significant discoveries, funds are beginning to dry up. The situation is already tense as the Lawrence’s attempt to secure a new patron to continue their search for Homo Erectus, so when Essie inexplicably returns from a scouting trip with an orphaned Hadza infant whom she is to take care of for four months, the future of the Camp is threatened.
Scholes explores a number of themes in The Beautiful Mother. One of the most significant examines universal questions about motherhood as Essie cares for the baby girl she names Mara. It’s a joy to be part of her journey as she opens her heart to Mara, and gains new perspective about who she is and what she wants.
Essie’s relationship with Mara also allows the author to delve into the dynamics of marriage and family as the infant’s presence drives a wedge between Essie, Ian, and Julia. The baby stirs up repressed feelings about the loss of Julia’s youngest son who disappeared as a toddler at Magadi, and Ian resents the changes Mara effects in his previously pliant wife.
Also of importance in the novel is the author’s exploration of home and belonging. This is particularly shown through the character of Essie’s assistant, Simon, who is torn between his perception of himself as a ‘modern’ Tanzanian, and his birthright as as a member of the Hadza.
Scholes descriptions of the Tanzanian landscape are breathtakingly vivid from the red rocky desert plains of Magadi to the majesty of Ol Doinyo Lengai, an ever grumbling volcano. I found it easy to visualise the layout of the Camp, it’s work tables cluttered with tools and specimens, and the careful grids of the nearby the dig sites. The people too are easy to imagine from Mara’s bright eyes, to the African Camp workers, and the women of the nearby Maasai village.
A well told, evocative novel The Beautiful Mother is sure to engage both interest and emotion.
Scholes explores a number of themes in The Beautiful Mother. One of the most significant examines universal questions about motherhood as Essie cares for the baby girl she names Mara. It’s a joy to be part of her journey as she opens her heart to Mara, and gains new perspective about who she is and what she wants.
Essie’s relationship with Mara also allows the author to delve into the dynamics of marriage and family as the infant’s presence drives a wedge between Essie, Ian, and Julia. The baby stirs up repressed feelings about the loss of Julia’s youngest son who disappeared as a toddler at Magadi, and Ian resents the changes Mara effects in his previously pliant wife.
Also of importance in the novel is the author’s exploration of home and belonging. This is particularly shown through the character of Essie’s assistant, Simon, who is torn between his perception of himself as a ‘modern’ Tanzanian, and his birthright as as a member of the Hadza.
Scholes descriptions of the Tanzanian landscape are breathtakingly vivid from the red rocky desert plains of Magadi to the majesty of Ol Doinyo Lengai, an ever grumbling volcano. I found it easy to visualise the layout of the Camp, it’s work tables cluttered with tools and specimens, and the careful grids of the nearby the dig sites. The people too are easy to imagine from Mara’s bright eyes, to the African Camp workers, and the women of the nearby Maasai village.
A well told, evocative novel The Beautiful Mother is sure to engage both interest and emotion.
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June 2, 2020A fascinating story, the first I've read that's set in Tanzania, and I loved how it also connected back to Tasmania, where the author now lives. Great, strong writing, an evocative setting, lots of well-researched plot-lines and so many fantastic moral dilemmas and conflicts running through the story. I was lucky to receive a review copy, thanks to Penguin Random House, have since recommended to many friends and in podcast interviews.
October 23, 2020
The Beautiful Mother by Katherine Scholes is another exceptional read by this author.
I was gifted this book by a friend earlier this year who knows I love this author's books.
I would highly recommend this book for all lovers of African reads and sagas. Every one of Katherine's books about Africa are always fantastic to read.
I look forward to the next one.
I was gifted this book by a friend earlier this year who knows I love this author's books.
I would highly recommend this book for all lovers of African reads and sagas. Every one of Katherine's books about Africa are always fantastic to read.
I look forward to the next one.
April 19, 2020
This another great read from a favourite author. In these strange and difficult times of Covid19 lockdown, it was a page-turner delight to escape to the world of early archeology in Africa and experience some new twists on perennial human issues. I loved this from the first moment. I remember as a child hearing stories of the Leakey family and their work in tracking the origin of humans on this planet, and having a chance to taste that world was fascinating. To have it combined with a really thoughtful look at motherhood and some of the complexities of interracial assumptions and attitudes in a past context but with present implications was something I only appreciated as I looked back on the story. I really enjoy a book with deep underpinnings if you want to consider them, that is also simply a great read. I am buying this and getting it sent to friends in lockdown!
June 2, 2020
The Beautiful Mother is a captivating read; from the atmospheric image on the cover to the last page.
I was fascinated by the links between Tasmania where the author lives, and Tanzania where she was born and spent her formative years. I haven't visited Tanzania, (although I have enjoyed my stays in Tasmania) but the descriptions of life and details of the African landscape immediately conjured up the setting for the story, and I found the information about the anthropological research satisfying in that it supported rather than detracted from the personal story of Essie that gradually unfolds.
I found myself rather regretting having hurtled through this book, because this is definitely one to be savoured. The descriptions are very lyrical, the language rich and the characters intriguing from the start. I found it difficult to put the book down once I had started; enjoying being swept along with Essie's search for answers to the many questions she has about her own life.
This is a compelling book that I intend to read again soon.
I was fascinated by the links between Tasmania where the author lives, and Tanzania where she was born and spent her formative years. I haven't visited Tanzania, (although I have enjoyed my stays in Tasmania) but the descriptions of life and details of the African landscape immediately conjured up the setting for the story, and I found the information about the anthropological research satisfying in that it supported rather than detracted from the personal story of Essie that gradually unfolds.
I found myself rather regretting having hurtled through this book, because this is definitely one to be savoured. The descriptions are very lyrical, the language rich and the characters intriguing from the start. I found it difficult to put the book down once I had started; enjoying being swept along with Essie's search for answers to the many questions she has about her own life.
This is a compelling book that I intend to read again soon.
April 21, 2020
I think this is Katherine's best book yet. Her powers of description put you right there in the location, so you feel involved in the story, which is one that everyone can relate to. It is thought-provoking and totally engrossing. Thoroughly recommended!
June 14, 2022
Really enjoyed this story mainly because of the setting and the relationships between the baby, the animals, the various tribesmen and the “beautiful mother”. The archeological background was interesting with its competition, it’s need for funding and it’s dedication.
August 24, 2020
4.5 stars. Well-written, captivating and educational too! A trip to another continent and culture in 1970. Characters became "real"and believable. First book by author I have read... I look forward to reading more of her work.
April 19, 2020
Fantastic read. Well paced and great 3 dimential characters. I loved every second of reading this and it was truly a page turning read. Every word is delicious.
April 13, 2020
This book was written beautifully. I found myself so heavily invested with each of the characters, now that I’m finished I’m not sure what to move onto next. It was an emotional story and as a mother myself, I felt everything. Katherine takes us on such a magical journey with all of her books. I’m already dying for her next one
October 8, 2022
A bit slow at some points, but overall I really enjoyed this novel. It seemed to be well researched and I found the thematic combination of human evolution and motherhood very interesting.
October 22, 2020
I absolutely loved this book, the subject matter was so unusual.
I couldnt put the book down, I was drawn into the story.
It was very well researched and I learnt so much .
I was a tiny bit disappointed in the ending until I read the postscript
which tied up the loose ends. I feel like there could easily be a sequel
and if so, I will be queuing up to read it.
All Katherine Scholes' books are brilliant, I have read them all.
I couldnt put the book down, I was drawn into the story.
It was very well researched and I learnt so much .
I was a tiny bit disappointed in the ending until I read the postscript
which tied up the loose ends. I feel like there could easily be a sequel
and if so, I will be queuing up to read it.
All Katherine Scholes' books are brilliant, I have read them all.
May 22, 2020
It was great to be immersed in the location in a camp in Tanzania for the length of the novel. The themes, characters and storyline were interesting, if not a little predicable at times.
October 18, 2020
A beautifully written tale of an extraordinarily beautiful place. A fascinating insight into the world of research archaeology, combined with a comprehensive analysis of relationships, past, present and developing. A very enjoyable read/ listen!
September 10, 2021
J'ai découvert Katherine Scholes l’année dernière avec son roman La Reine des pluies que j'avais énormément aimé. Ce fut une lecture totalement dépaysante et j’étais vraiment enchantée par la plume de l'autrice. J'avais donc très envie de lire ce nouveau roman, Le berceau du monde, pour repartir en voyage et être à nouveau dépaysée par ma lecture. Je suis à nouveau conquise par Katherine Scholes et par sa façon de m'emmener dans son monde.
Ce roman m’a fait voyager jusqu'en Tanzanie, un pays d’Afrique que j’ai très peu l’habitude de rencontrer dans mes lectures. J’ai fait la connaissance du couple Lawrence, Essie et Ian. Ils sont Anglais d'origine, et archéologues réputés. Ils vivent en Tanzanie, au pied d'un volcan où ils mènent des fouilles approfondies à la recherche des origines de l'Homme. Ils sont entourés et aidés par des indigènes de tribus locales, dont les Massaïs. Ian se consacre entièrement à son travail. Julia, sa mère vit avec eux, elle-même a été mariée à un archéologue célèbre. Un drame dans l’enfance de Ian les a endurcis tous deux et fait que Ian n'a pas la vision classique du couple. Il ne veut pas d'enfants, et souhaite se consacrer avec sa femme à ses recherches.
Essie, justement, plus effacée et discrète, partage l'avis de son mari, elle travaille, entretient une relation cordiale avec sa belle-mère et ne dit jamais rien contre son mari. Tout va être changé et bouleversé dans sa vie suite à une rencontre avec une tribu nomade, les Hadzas. Le chef va lui faire une demande particulière, celle de garder pendant trois mois un de leurs bébés. La petite fille n'a que quelques semaines, sa mère est morte et il n'y a personne pour s'en occuper. Bien que réticente, Essie accepte, plus ou moins forcée d'ailleurs. Elle qui ne voulait pas d'enfant, la voilà avec un bébé à charge. En plus, l’arrivée du nourrisson est très mal vue par Ian, il ne compte pas aider Essie et celle-ci va devoir jongler entre son travail, les soins du bébé et sa vie de couple. Et petit à petit, elle va s'attacher à elle. Au début, elle était contente de ne garder Mara, nom qu'elle a donné à la petite, que trois mois, mais au fur et à mesure du temps qui passe, que l'attachement se fait plus fort, le temps semble aller trop vite pour Essie et elle voudrait garder Mara avec elle…mais elle a promis aux Hadzas, elle a approuvé le marché, il faut donc qu'elle s’y tienne…
L’arrivée du bébé Hadza va changer la perception des autres tribus face à Essie. Celle-ci va pouvoir compter sur l'aide précieuse de Simon, un homme issu aussi des Hadzas mais qui veut vivre avec le temps moderne.
On va voir évoluer petit à petit Essie, elle va prendre de la maturité, ses réflexions vont changer, son comportement face à son mari aussi, ce qui provoquera pas mal de heurts entre eux. Surtout qu’une autre femme, soi-disant bienfaitrice, envie le poste de Essie. Elle va à la fois utiliser les méthodes modernes pour élever Mara et se rendre compte que les femmes des tribus ont elles aussi des méthodes d’éducation très efficaces, surtout quand on habite dans la jungle.
Je me suis très vite attachée à Essie, j'ai aimé la voir changer, la voir se révéler en tant que femme, car elle avait légèrement tendance à s'oublier avec une présence masculine trop forte qu’est son mari. Je me suis souvent mise à sa place et demandé comment moi-même j'aurais réagi. Me connaissant, je me serais très vite attachée au bébé, et j'aurais sûrement très mal vécu de ne la garder que 3 mois. J’ai trouvé Essie très courageuse. Ian, quant à lui, est un personnage qui m'a énervée, je l'ai trouvé imbu de sa personne, et en même temps, il a toujours été honnête dans ce qu'il voulait faire de sa vie. Sa décision de ne pas avoir d’enfants se comprend vu le drame de son enfance. Il est vrai qu’Essie savait tout ça en se mariant, mais on se rend compte de ses véritables désirs parfois trop tard.
Comme avec La reine des pluies, j’ai énormément appris sur la vie en Tanzanie, sur les paysages, sur la façon de vivre des tribus nomades ou des Massaïs, leurs rites, et aussi leur philosophie de vie qui sont sur certains points très beaux. Ils vivent dans le présent, ne regardent pas derrière eux et continuent d'avancer, même s'ils vivent des drames, même s'ils pleurent, ils tirent toujours du positif de leurs situations. Ils pourraient nous apprendre beaucoup, et on ferait bien d'appliquer certains de leurs principes, notre vie n'en serait que meilleure. Par exemple, une jeune Massaï dit à Essie, au sujet du bébé : « Tu es sa mère en ce moment. Le futur est un autre temps. » Quelle richesse dans ces paroles ! Ou encore, comme dit Kisani, l'un des personnages, « il faut laisser le passé derrière soi pour que quelque chose de nouveau puisse commencer. » Des phrases que l'on devrait appliquer, même si c’est très difficile…revenir à plus de simplicité.
J'ai également effectué un merveilleux voyage dans un pays que je ne connais pas. Les décors sont très bien décrits par l'autrice, avec beaucoup de beauté et de délicatesse, sans alourdir pour autant le texte. L'ambiance est très bien décrite aussi, j'ai réussi à ressentir la chaleur du soleil, à voir la couleur de la terre, à ressentir les différentes odeurs chaudes, épicées. J'arrivais à tout m'imaginer, à voir défiler les images devant mes yeux. Je verrais bien ce livre adopter en film, un peu dans la même veine que Out of Africa, inspiré d'un roman de Karen Blixen.
Tout ceci est magnifié grâce au très bon style de Katherine Scholes. Elle a une plume si fluide que la lecture se fait aisément, sans heurts. Les phases descriptives ne sont pas lourdes et ne ralentissent pas la lecture. Elle sait immerger le lecteur dès le début et ne le lâcher qu’à la toute fin. Je n'arrivais pas à quitter ma lecture tellement je me sentais bien. Les émotions sont également bien retranscrites. Le choix narratif est à la troisième personne du singulier, il m'a permis de garder une certaine distance avec les personnages, à les regarder évoluer. Mais ce n'est pas pour autant que je n'ai rien ressenti, bien au contraire. J'ai été émue plus d'une fois, j'ai même versé ma larme à un certain moment que je tairais. Je ne m'attendais pas aux événements de la fin, je ne peux bien sûr rien dire, mais j'ai été surprise tout de même, j'ai bien aimé ce que l'autrice a fait.
Je pense que vous l’aurez compris, j'ai adoré cette lecture. C’est un réel plaisir. Je vais continuer à suivre Katherine Scholes, je vais me procurer aussi ses romans précédents, il y en a un qui me tente beaucoup, Leopard Hall, qui est celui qui se rapproche le plus de l'autrice. Car elle sait de quoi elle parle, elle connaît le pays, puisqu'elle y est née. Lorsqu'elle a épousé son mari cinéaste, elle s'est intéressée aux écrivains de scénarios et essaie de se rapprocher le plus d'eux, et elle y arrive très bien. Pour écrire le personnage d'Essie, elle s'est inspirée de la vraie vie d'une paléoanthropologue Mary Leakey.
J'ai aimé le dépaysement, ainsi que les messages que véhicule ce roman sur la maternité. Au travers de Julia, Essie et les femmes Massaïs et Hadzas, l'autrice nous livre des portraits différents de mères très intéressants. Je relirai avec grand plaisir Katherine Scholes et je vais continuer à la suivre de près.
Je ne peux que vous conseiller ce roman si vous aimez les histoires fortes et délicates à la fois, dépaysantes et très bien écrites. Katherine Scholes est une autrice que je vous recommande fortement. Tous ces livres sont un bonheur à lire.
Ce roman m’a fait voyager jusqu'en Tanzanie, un pays d’Afrique que j’ai très peu l’habitude de rencontrer dans mes lectures. J’ai fait la connaissance du couple Lawrence, Essie et Ian. Ils sont Anglais d'origine, et archéologues réputés. Ils vivent en Tanzanie, au pied d'un volcan où ils mènent des fouilles approfondies à la recherche des origines de l'Homme. Ils sont entourés et aidés par des indigènes de tribus locales, dont les Massaïs. Ian se consacre entièrement à son travail. Julia, sa mère vit avec eux, elle-même a été mariée à un archéologue célèbre. Un drame dans l’enfance de Ian les a endurcis tous deux et fait que Ian n'a pas la vision classique du couple. Il ne veut pas d'enfants, et souhaite se consacrer avec sa femme à ses recherches.
Essie, justement, plus effacée et discrète, partage l'avis de son mari, elle travaille, entretient une relation cordiale avec sa belle-mère et ne dit jamais rien contre son mari. Tout va être changé et bouleversé dans sa vie suite à une rencontre avec une tribu nomade, les Hadzas. Le chef va lui faire une demande particulière, celle de garder pendant trois mois un de leurs bébés. La petite fille n'a que quelques semaines, sa mère est morte et il n'y a personne pour s'en occuper. Bien que réticente, Essie accepte, plus ou moins forcée d'ailleurs. Elle qui ne voulait pas d'enfant, la voilà avec un bébé à charge. En plus, l’arrivée du nourrisson est très mal vue par Ian, il ne compte pas aider Essie et celle-ci va devoir jongler entre son travail, les soins du bébé et sa vie de couple. Et petit à petit, elle va s'attacher à elle. Au début, elle était contente de ne garder Mara, nom qu'elle a donné à la petite, que trois mois, mais au fur et à mesure du temps qui passe, que l'attachement se fait plus fort, le temps semble aller trop vite pour Essie et elle voudrait garder Mara avec elle…mais elle a promis aux Hadzas, elle a approuvé le marché, il faut donc qu'elle s’y tienne…
L’arrivée du bébé Hadza va changer la perception des autres tribus face à Essie. Celle-ci va pouvoir compter sur l'aide précieuse de Simon, un homme issu aussi des Hadzas mais qui veut vivre avec le temps moderne.
On va voir évoluer petit à petit Essie, elle va prendre de la maturité, ses réflexions vont changer, son comportement face à son mari aussi, ce qui provoquera pas mal de heurts entre eux. Surtout qu’une autre femme, soi-disant bienfaitrice, envie le poste de Essie. Elle va à la fois utiliser les méthodes modernes pour élever Mara et se rendre compte que les femmes des tribus ont elles aussi des méthodes d’éducation très efficaces, surtout quand on habite dans la jungle.
Je me suis très vite attachée à Essie, j'ai aimé la voir changer, la voir se révéler en tant que femme, car elle avait légèrement tendance à s'oublier avec une présence masculine trop forte qu’est son mari. Je me suis souvent mise à sa place et demandé comment moi-même j'aurais réagi. Me connaissant, je me serais très vite attachée au bébé, et j'aurais sûrement très mal vécu de ne la garder que 3 mois. J’ai trouvé Essie très courageuse. Ian, quant à lui, est un personnage qui m'a énervée, je l'ai trouvé imbu de sa personne, et en même temps, il a toujours été honnête dans ce qu'il voulait faire de sa vie. Sa décision de ne pas avoir d’enfants se comprend vu le drame de son enfance. Il est vrai qu’Essie savait tout ça en se mariant, mais on se rend compte de ses véritables désirs parfois trop tard.
Comme avec La reine des pluies, j’ai énormément appris sur la vie en Tanzanie, sur les paysages, sur la façon de vivre des tribus nomades ou des Massaïs, leurs rites, et aussi leur philosophie de vie qui sont sur certains points très beaux. Ils vivent dans le présent, ne regardent pas derrière eux et continuent d'avancer, même s'ils vivent des drames, même s'ils pleurent, ils tirent toujours du positif de leurs situations. Ils pourraient nous apprendre beaucoup, et on ferait bien d'appliquer certains de leurs principes, notre vie n'en serait que meilleure. Par exemple, une jeune Massaï dit à Essie, au sujet du bébé : « Tu es sa mère en ce moment. Le futur est un autre temps. » Quelle richesse dans ces paroles ! Ou encore, comme dit Kisani, l'un des personnages, « il faut laisser le passé derrière soi pour que quelque chose de nouveau puisse commencer. » Des phrases que l'on devrait appliquer, même si c’est très difficile…revenir à plus de simplicité.
J'ai également effectué un merveilleux voyage dans un pays que je ne connais pas. Les décors sont très bien décrits par l'autrice, avec beaucoup de beauté et de délicatesse, sans alourdir pour autant le texte. L'ambiance est très bien décrite aussi, j'ai réussi à ressentir la chaleur du soleil, à voir la couleur de la terre, à ressentir les différentes odeurs chaudes, épicées. J'arrivais à tout m'imaginer, à voir défiler les images devant mes yeux. Je verrais bien ce livre adopter en film, un peu dans la même veine que Out of Africa, inspiré d'un roman de Karen Blixen.
Tout ceci est magnifié grâce au très bon style de Katherine Scholes. Elle a une plume si fluide que la lecture se fait aisément, sans heurts. Les phases descriptives ne sont pas lourdes et ne ralentissent pas la lecture. Elle sait immerger le lecteur dès le début et ne le lâcher qu’à la toute fin. Je n'arrivais pas à quitter ma lecture tellement je me sentais bien. Les émotions sont également bien retranscrites. Le choix narratif est à la troisième personne du singulier, il m'a permis de garder une certaine distance avec les personnages, à les regarder évoluer. Mais ce n'est pas pour autant que je n'ai rien ressenti, bien au contraire. J'ai été émue plus d'une fois, j'ai même versé ma larme à un certain moment que je tairais. Je ne m'attendais pas aux événements de la fin, je ne peux bien sûr rien dire, mais j'ai été surprise tout de même, j'ai bien aimé ce que l'autrice a fait.
Je pense que vous l’aurez compris, j'ai adoré cette lecture. C’est un réel plaisir. Je vais continuer à suivre Katherine Scholes, je vais me procurer aussi ses romans précédents, il y en a un qui me tente beaucoup, Leopard Hall, qui est celui qui se rapproche le plus de l'autrice. Car elle sait de quoi elle parle, elle connaît le pays, puisqu'elle y est née. Lorsqu'elle a épousé son mari cinéaste, elle s'est intéressée aux écrivains de scénarios et essaie de se rapprocher le plus d'eux, et elle y arrive très bien. Pour écrire le personnage d'Essie, elle s'est inspirée de la vraie vie d'une paléoanthropologue Mary Leakey.
J'ai aimé le dépaysement, ainsi que les messages que véhicule ce roman sur la maternité. Au travers de Julia, Essie et les femmes Massaïs et Hadzas, l'autrice nous livre des portraits différents de mères très intéressants. Je relirai avec grand plaisir Katherine Scholes et je vais continuer à la suivre de près.
Je ne peux que vous conseiller ce roman si vous aimez les histoires fortes et délicates à la fois, dépaysantes et très bien écrites. Katherine Scholes est une autrice que je vous recommande fortement. Tous ces livres sont un bonheur à lire.
May 23, 2020
An exquisite story of what it means to be a mother and to be human. Heart-wrenching and thought-provoking at the same time.
Loved it!
I had the pleasure of interviewing author Katherine Scholes and chatting to her about this novel on my podcast "Talking Aussie Books".
See link:
https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?...
Loved it!
I had the pleasure of interviewing author Katherine Scholes and chatting to her about this novel on my podcast "Talking Aussie Books".
See link:
https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?...
June 10, 2020
In a remote corner of Tanzania, Essie Lawrence lives with her husband in an archaeologist’s camp. One morning a chance encounter with two strangers sees her making a rash promise. When she returns home to the research base, she has a baby in her arms. Essie is to care for the little girl until the coming of the rains. And then hand her back.
Scholes beautifully depicts Essie's various relationships and how they change over time (with her husband, her mother-in-law, her parents, the wealthy benefactors, the African workers, the baby) She shows Essie's struggles as she moves from dependence to independence.
Lengthy research must have gone into this book as we learn about the scientific search for the origins of the human race in Africa, the culture of the Masai, the importance of places and artifacts to the native peoples.
Beautifully written. It was easy to picture Essie facing the situations as the story progressed, and to share her emotions.
Scholes beautifully depicts Essie's various relationships and how they change over time (with her husband, her mother-in-law, her parents, the wealthy benefactors, the African workers, the baby) She shows Essie's struggles as she moves from dependence to independence.
Lengthy research must have gone into this book as we learn about the scientific search for the origins of the human race in Africa, the culture of the Masai, the importance of places and artifacts to the native peoples.
Beautifully written. It was easy to picture Essie facing the situations as the story progressed, and to share her emotions.
July 12, 2020
The story at self wasn’t too bad but rather predictable. For me the interest was the neolithic palaeontology one of my favourite subjects,
The subject was well researched and accurate. Interesting scenarios playing out with this in mind. For that reason I found this book of value, I enjoyed the exploration and the understanding of origins. When the story more believable, especially with Essie taking on a child from a local tribe with such wonderful and unique history.
The subject was well researched and accurate. Interesting scenarios playing out with this in mind. For that reason I found this book of value, I enjoyed the exploration and the understanding of origins. When the story more believable, especially with Essie taking on a child from a local tribe with such wonderful and unique history.
August 25, 2020
This book was thoroughly amazing. I have nerves read any of her books before. The details were amazing and I could not stop reading. I learned so much about places in this book and all about the people and tribes. I will be looking at her other books. This was the most enjoyable and knowledgeable book I have read for a while.
January 28, 2021
Essie Lawrence lives with her husband in an archaeologist’s camp in Tanzania near Olduvai. Their relationship is more like business partners than lovers, although they say they do love each other. To complicate matters is Julia, Ian’s cold mother: all three live for nothing but archeology and fame. On a walk Essie encounters two Hadza tribesmen, still hunter gatherers, who persuade her to go to their camp: she takes trusted Simon her servant who is a Hadza. The mother of a 2 month baby has died, they have to migrate for two months and then they return; the baby won’t survive unless Essie takes the baby. No. Buy yes, she is surprised at=hat she is forced into agreeing. Julia and Ian are pissed off that this will distract Essie from her real job. It does, she gets more involved with Mara the baby. The camp runs out of money but out of the blue a very rich and very beautiful American saves the day – but she moves in. Her presence acts to shit-stir between Ian and Essie, including buying a huge baby set of everything it might need, so Essie slips easily into the role of surrogate motherhood. Ian and Carolyn are now the couple, sex between them is hinted but not explicitly. Essie is drawn into the ancient wisdom of the Hadza, and she is led back to memories of her own mother and her first home on the island of Tasmania, at the far end of the world. On the shores of the flamingo lake, she and Simon meet a photographer, very charming, a side theme played out alongside the Lawrences’ quest to find the origins of the human species. Essie and Simon stumble onto a cave where there are ancient paintings, and the corpse of Julia;s lost son, and a complete h. erectus skeleton which proves Africa is the source of all humankind (disputed then in 1970s). Time comes for Essie to hand the baby back, which devastates her: she has already been betrayed by her husband so she refuses to join in the publicity for the h. erectus find. The end is part obvious part not, the parallel between Essie’s ailing mother and aboriginal life is paralleled with Hadza culture. The research into this is prodigious, the topic very interesting – evolution of humans -- the bonding of Hadza with European, the insight into African mores, make it a multiculturist’s dream. Only slightly mawkish at times with the mother-child scenes. Comparing this with The Stone Angel, there are common evident hallmarks of Scholes’ writing: cold, ruthless dominating men, older women who after severe trauma recover from near death into functioning people, overwhelming flip flops of emotion, and always an awfully capable young woman who overcomes the odds. However, I found I was involved with Beautiful Mother from the start despite my initial reaction to The Stone Angel.
September 4, 2021
An easy 5 stars
This was a beautiful read in so many ways. The descriptions of the landscape and the characters in the novel were wonderfully written. From flamingos to volcanoes, from Essie herself and the people in her life, and lastly but far from least, the differing ideologies woven throughout the novel we are captivated by insights. These insights prompt us gently into considering what our lives might be if we listened to one another and respected each other's views.
Nudged into a situation not on her agenda Essie does become a beautiful mother. She gives all of her self in the short time she accepts the care of the child. With this comes a more comprehensive understanding of herself allowing relationships both past and present, to make more sense. The weakness we begin with dissipates and we know Essie will go on to new and better things.
This was a beautiful read in so many ways. The descriptions of the landscape and the characters in the novel were wonderfully written. From flamingos to volcanoes, from Essie herself and the people in her life, and lastly but far from least, the differing ideologies woven throughout the novel we are captivated by insights. These insights prompt us gently into considering what our lives might be if we listened to one another and respected each other's views.
Nudged into a situation not on her agenda Essie does become a beautiful mother. She gives all of her self in the short time she accepts the care of the child. With this comes a more comprehensive understanding of herself allowing relationships both past and present, to make more sense. The weakness we begin with dissipates and we know Essie will go on to new and better things.
March 29, 2021
This is the second book that I have listened to - an audio book. It has not improved my opinion of the presentation method it being a passive way of interaction. I do not think the narrator was the best choice for this book. She seems too young for the main character, her tone of voice was not consistently applied to the various situations and her pronunciation, especially of some of the scientific terms was inaccurate e.g. she said Old-Duvai all the way through and it was not until the very end that I realized this was actually Olduvai.
I enjoyed the story, and especially the human evolution. I would like to read this again, holding the book in my hands and using my imagination to hear the voices.
I enjoyed the story, and especially the human evolution. I would like to read this again, holding the book in my hands and using my imagination to hear the voices.
August 13, 2025
I have a bizarre and arguably unhealthy, complicated, and contradictory relationship with motherhood. By and large, I don't want to read about it. And I would not have picked this book for myself (someone else chose it for me), let alone imagined that I would enjoy it.
This is, of all the books I've read that heavily involve motherhood and parenting, both fiction and non fiction, the most sensitive, most nuanced, most accurate, most moving portrayal of being a mother to a young baby that I have ever read. The tension between what people expect of you, what you expect of yourself, and the visceral, physical, emotional, and spiritual changes that happen when you become a mother, when you basically watch an old part of yourself die and become so invested in the well being of a vulnerable other person, is perfectly captured in this story. The book captures the confusion and conflict and growing resentment that happens between a mother and the people around her because they are not on the same page, they cannot be moved by a baby the same way that she is. It neatly touches on the way the West historically tried to turn motherhood into something its not in a rejection of biology and our inherent design for the purpose of productivity/progress/"science". It touches on the heartbreak caused by being a mother, the ways motherhood is messed up, and how becoming a mother makes you conscious of what previous mothers have gone through even as you reject their choices and grapple with their mistakes.
So is this a story for women? For mothers? For would be mothers? I honestly think non-mothers, including men, could get a lot out of it, helping them to understand a mother's experience (plus the rest of the plot is interesting too, and you get to learn about fossils and flamingos).
The author has done a tonne of research and used her own experiences to write an interesting historical story set in the Rift Valley, Tanzania. I found her writing style enjoyable and engaging. The character development was wonderful. And she has officially won the "worst character of all time" award in my mind with the MC's husband, Ian. Far out I hate that dude. He was believably vile in his actions and attitudes, and maybe the only way to improve the story would be to have him die a painful death. In the volcano.
Love this book. I'll be looking out for other titles from this author.
This is, of all the books I've read that heavily involve motherhood and parenting, both fiction and non fiction, the most sensitive, most nuanced, most accurate, most moving portrayal of being a mother to a young baby that I have ever read. The tension between what people expect of you, what you expect of yourself, and the visceral, physical, emotional, and spiritual changes that happen when you become a mother, when you basically watch an old part of yourself die and become so invested in the well being of a vulnerable other person, is perfectly captured in this story. The book captures the confusion and conflict and growing resentment that happens between a mother and the people around her because they are not on the same page, they cannot be moved by a baby the same way that she is. It neatly touches on the way the West historically tried to turn motherhood into something its not in a rejection of biology and our inherent design for the purpose of productivity/progress/"science". It touches on the heartbreak caused by being a mother, the ways motherhood is messed up, and how becoming a mother makes you conscious of what previous mothers have gone through even as you reject their choices and grapple with their mistakes.
So is this a story for women? For mothers? For would be mothers? I honestly think non-mothers, including men, could get a lot out of it, helping them to understand a mother's experience (plus the rest of the plot is interesting too, and you get to learn about fossils and flamingos).
The author has done a tonne of research and used her own experiences to write an interesting historical story set in the Rift Valley, Tanzania. I found her writing style enjoyable and engaging. The character development was wonderful. And she has officially won the "worst character of all time" award in my mind with the MC's husband, Ian. Far out I hate that dude. He was believably vile in his actions and attitudes, and maybe the only way to improve the story would be to have him die a painful death. In the volcano.
Love this book. I'll be looking out for other titles from this author.
March 6, 2021
Another novel I never would’ve picked up on my own. Got it as a blind-date-with-a-book type of thing and I’m so grateful I did. This was unlike anything I’ve read before. Archaeology, motherhood, culture, history, a tense marriage on the rocks - topics I don’t find fascinating and tend to stay away from because they tend to be nonfiction. All of this was included and I loved every page. I could identify with Essie in every predicament she found herself in.
August 28, 2021
Premise good. I did get into the stories around harvesting history as well as the anecdotes around where and how we evolved. AND the history of Tasmanian indigenous mob. Very well researched.
The drawn out turmoil of letting go and change I found exhausting and was grateful that I chose the audio version.
Made me do some research about the Neanderthal which whiled away some hours, so I guess I found inspiration from the narrative.
The drawn out turmoil of letting go and change I found exhausting and was grateful that I chose the audio version.
Made me do some research about the Neanderthal which whiled away some hours, so I guess I found inspiration from the narrative.
March 2, 2022
I have enjoyed reading "The Beautiful Mother". It is a page turner, well-written, detailed and informative where there is a lot to learn about archeology and East-African culture. While it is a well crafted story, it is at times a bit too detailed, thus the book could have been a bit shorter in that regards, without losing its appeal. On the other hand, I would have liked continuing on reading more pages as the story goes on. A sequel would be welcome!
December 13, 2020
This was an intriguing book set in Tanzania. It explores archeology, the African people and their beliefs, motherhood and what people hold as important. I really enjoyed the African people’s attitudes and the discussion on the impact of Caucasian attitudes and actions. I also liked Essie's evolution from doormat to her own person. Lots to think about in this book.
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