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The Housemaid
A dead baby and bloodstained clothes are discovered near a small village. Everyone is ready to comment on the likely story behind the abandoned infant. The men have one opinion, the women another. As the story rapidly unfolds it becomes clear that seven different women played their part in the drama. All of them are caught in a web of superstition, ignorance, greed and corruption.
107 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 1999
24 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Amma Darko
16 books86 followersAmma Darko (born 1956) is an African novelist.
She was born in Koforidua, Ghana, and grew up in Accra. She studied in Kumasi, where she received her diploma in 1980. Then she worked for the Science and Technology Center in Kumasi. During the eighties, she lived and worked for some time in Germany. She has since returned to Accra.
(from Wikipedia)
She was born in Koforidua, Ghana, and grew up in Accra. She studied in Kumasi, where she received her diploma in 1980. Then she worked for the Science and Technology Center in Kumasi. During the eighties, she lived and worked for some time in Germany. She has since returned to Accra.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 13, 2015
!! http://africanbookaddict.com/2015/06/...
This is such a messy, messy story (in a good way!). To be brief, this is a story of how a poor family in a Ghanaian village decide to jilt a rich business woman in the city, by using their daughter - who becomes a housemaid, to attempt to steal this rich woman's wealth. Amma Darko treats lots of social issues in her book, and this is why I respect her as a writer. In this book, issues of socio-economic differences between the rich and the poor, city life versus village life, feminism, spinsterhood, gender roles, religious beliefs, superstition etc are tackled. I liked how the story was consummated at the end, even though it was a crazy web of events occurring in the story. At some parts of the book, I felt that the writing style was choppy and too colloquial. I have problems with seeing basic grammatical errors or misspellings of 'your & you're' in novels. Sometimes I felt like I was reading a child's book because of the carelessness of the writing. But nonetheless, the social issues addressed in this book made me appreciate the story. This is a 2.5 stars book for me though.
This is such a messy, messy story (in a good way!). To be brief, this is a story of how a poor family in a Ghanaian village decide to jilt a rich business woman in the city, by using their daughter - who becomes a housemaid, to attempt to steal this rich woman's wealth. Amma Darko treats lots of social issues in her book, and this is why I respect her as a writer. In this book, issues of socio-economic differences between the rich and the poor, city life versus village life, feminism, spinsterhood, gender roles, religious beliefs, superstition etc are tackled. I liked how the story was consummated at the end, even though it was a crazy web of events occurring in the story. At some parts of the book, I felt that the writing style was choppy and too colloquial. I have problems with seeing basic grammatical errors or misspellings of 'your & you're' in novels. Sometimes I felt like I was reading a child's book because of the carelessness of the writing. But nonetheless, the social issues addressed in this book made me appreciate the story. This is a 2.5 stars book for me though.
January 30, 2026
One of my favorite reads of 2026!
This book is a quick read, but so much happens throughout it that I couldn't even put it down even if I wanted to.
If you ever need something to replace your favorite soap opera, grab you a copy of Amma Darko's The Housemaid, and I promise you won't be disappointed.
This book is a quick read, but so much happens throughout it that I couldn't even put it down even if I wanted to.
If you ever need something to replace your favorite soap opera, grab you a copy of Amma Darko's The Housemaid, and I promise you won't be disappointed.
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June 4, 2011I red this and understood what amma want to describ according to her,the african peoples are all corrupted and they don't think about their future and they are all egoistic.
charming by the nice life in accra Efia can't herself to go there and she want without the allowence of her father who was a big drunkard and who had lost entirely his authry on his wife,Efia's mother and her mother agreed with the depature of Efia sent her as a housemaid at tika's house.once there she started to imit her boss with her sexual business at end she finish to be pregnant and accuse nshowre as the author.with her pregnancy she doen't what to do she finish to seperate with her baby after the delivery.and the novel finishes where it begings.in sum the housemaid reflect the reality in of african life how dirty the book is it is a mirror of african.that is mean to critic to push people to change their behaviour
charming by the nice life in accra Efia can't herself to go there and she want without the allowence of her father who was a big drunkard and who had lost entirely his authry on his wife,Efia's mother and her mother agreed with the depature of Efia sent her as a housemaid at tika's house.once there she started to imit her boss with her sexual business at end she finish to be pregnant and accuse nshowre as the author.with her pregnancy she doen't what to do she finish to seperate with her baby after the delivery.and the novel finishes where it begings.in sum the housemaid reflect the reality in of african life how dirty the book is it is a mirror of african.that is mean to critic to push people to change their behaviour
December 29, 2010
This book deals with the complexities that arrive from living in a changing society. This story follows a young woman who goes to the modern city from her home in rural Ghana. She tries to please her family, but ends up sacrificing her own desires to do so. She loses herself in this changing world. This book really shows the delicacies of such a changing society, and how difficult it can be to find your place in it.
December 10, 2012
Powerful story.
March 31, 2022
ghana. muy difícil de leer por cómo esta escrito!! aún así he aprendido muchas cosas y se lee muy rapidito
March 29, 2019
A little gem of a book. Combines comedy and tragedy, women’s roles in a man’s world. Women’s relationships with each other. Societal expectations. Not so much class as wealth divisions. Perceptions and misperceptions.
April 5, 2021
I personally think the story was rushed. It should not have been rushed because Ama Darko had touched on really sizzling themes that needed more elucidation. All in all, it served as a quick read.
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June 27, 2021Great
May 6, 2023
One of the things that I appreciated about this book was its rich character development. The author takes great care in exploring the motivations and desires of each character, making them feel real and fully fleshed out. The writing is also beautifully descriptive, creating a vivid picture of the setting and atmosphere of 1930s Seoul.
However, one potential drawback of the book is that it can be quite slow-moving at times. The pacing is deliberate and deliberate, which may not appeal to readers looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story. Additionally, the ending of the book may leave some readers wanting more closure, as some of the plot points are left open-ended.
However, one potential drawback of the book is that it can be quite slow-moving at times. The pacing is deliberate and deliberate, which may not appeal to readers looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story. Additionally, the ending of the book may leave some readers wanting more closure, as some of the plot points are left open-ended.
June 28, 2023
A well written story with a number of lessons worth reflecting upon. The issues raised are true to the Ghanaian setting and very relatable. Although, there are a few typo's, the book is worth reading. It is quite humorous as well.
You realise that there is no victim in the story. Efia, who may have been described as a victim of circumstance, however, consented to the ill-plan hatched by her family.
Will I recommend the book? ... Yes!
Will I re-read the book? ... Hmm! Maybe.
Will I read any book by the author? ... Yes!
You realise that there is no victim in the story. Efia, who may have been described as a victim of circumstance, however, consented to the ill-plan hatched by her family.
Will I recommend the book? ... Yes!
Will I re-read the book? ... Hmm! Maybe.
Will I read any book by the author? ... Yes!
January 29, 2023
107 pages long and FANTASTIC!! Deals with themes of womanhood, success, guilt, motherhood, lies, truth, and tradition vs. modernity. So worth the read!
Remimds me a little of The Baby is Mine, similar themes and plots are in the same plot family - perhaps the author was inspired.
Remimds me a little of The Baby is Mine, similar themes and plots are in the same plot family - perhaps the author was inspired.
August 20, 2018
A 3.5 stars read for me. The beginning was slow, but from chapter 4 to the end, i just couldn't put this book down.
February 2, 2019
Very quick read, almost read more like a short story. Interesting critique on Ghanaian culture and traditions.
May 31, 2023
Am unable to read any books with the app
November 3, 2007
The used copy of this book I purchased has a handwritten note on the first page that says:
MEN ARE WORTHLESS?, ALL SHOW, IRRESPONSIBLE
Well, who could resist that teaser? Certainly not me. However, it didn't turn out to be exactly accurate as the major theme of the book, but maybe that's just because it's a sub-theme that governs all our lives, all the time...from Ghana to Providence. Okay, who's gonna be the one to call me out on this s--t?!
MEN ARE WORTHLESS?, ALL SHOW, IRRESPONSIBLE
Well, who could resist that teaser? Certainly not me. However, it didn't turn out to be exactly accurate as the major theme of the book, but maybe that's just because it's a sub-theme that governs all our lives, all the time...from Ghana to Providence. Okay, who's gonna be the one to call me out on this s--t?!
December 16, 2008
I read this for a "Black Studies" class at UC Santa Barbara. I loved most of the books in these African Writers and Carribbean Writers Series. I can't remember much about this one, I just remember that I liked it. Notes in the margins are my own--only a few of us discussed the novels while the rest of the class slept or remained quiet since they hadn't read the book, so I had to make notes to remind myself what to talk about.
February 19, 2015
This is a story of the different social classes and the manipulations that go on between the rich and poor in society. It is a classic example of how the less fortunate feel entitled to benevolence from the well to do in Ghana. It is a book that may have received poor reviews from some Ghanaians especially young women and it does not surprise me because the issues discussed are not complementary of women who trade along our country's borders. Notwithstanding it made an interesting read.
August 23, 2014
This was something I pulled off the shelf in Foyles, then settled down amongst the books to read away the morning. It's a tale of enterprising women in Africa looking after themselves the best way they can - which is challenging and not easy and goes against much of what we're taught here in the UK about what success looks like. Interesting read.
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August 28, 2017This novel is full of lessons that will teach peuple to have bad plane about the person that is going to help them
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews