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The Spirit of Malawi
Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries, where the majority of its 18 million population live on less than £323 a year, one million people have HIV/AIDS and more than half of children don't even finish primary school. In The Spirit of Malawi, Susan Dalgety explores contemporary Malawi through the voices of its people, like Homba Mvkeani's granddaughter, Busi, who cared for her at home after a stroke, Wezi Mzumara, who dreams of Malawi becoming the fashion capital of Africa and Alexander Galimoto, wrongfully imprisoned in the country's most notorious prison.
Beautifully observed, this book looks behind the well-worn clichés of sub-Saharan Africa and explores how people really live, from the joy – and pain – of childbirth, to old age and death. Ultimately, Malawi's story is a story of hope.
Beautifully observed, this book looks behind the well-worn clichés of sub-Saharan Africa and explores how people really live, from the joy – and pain – of childbirth, to old age and death. Ultimately, Malawi's story is a story of hope.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 3, 2021
I don’t usually read non-fiction books but given this book was on Malawi, I was curious to read it.
What I really liked about it was how it gives you a 360 degree perspective of Malawi from a local level, a political level, a historical level and even a cultural level. I also really liked that it brought in comments from several different people and it wasn’t simply a select bunch or just the narrative perspective. It also throws in Chichewa words which flowed really nicely and just gave it a bit more of a Malawian touch to it. I found it really interesting reading about slavery and the impact of being a former British colony, it is very eye opening on how the Malawian economy is thriving today as a result of it.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn a bit more about Malawi or is generally interested in history or politics or simply just wants to get to know a country from a wide perspective.
What I really liked about it was how it gives you a 360 degree perspective of Malawi from a local level, a political level, a historical level and even a cultural level. I also really liked that it brought in comments from several different people and it wasn’t simply a select bunch or just the narrative perspective. It also throws in Chichewa words which flowed really nicely and just gave it a bit more of a Malawian touch to it. I found it really interesting reading about slavery and the impact of being a former British colony, it is very eye opening on how the Malawian economy is thriving today as a result of it.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn a bit more about Malawi or is generally interested in history or politics or simply just wants to get to know a country from a wide perspective.
March 5, 2024
Very useful overview of Malawi, from its strengths to its adversities. Backed up with statistics but narratively very readable. Compiled of multiple interviews with relevant people on each subject to provide an individuals perspective
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews