37 pages 1 hour read

Kris Holloway

Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2006

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway, published in 2006, is a narrative nonfiction recounting the life of Monique Dembele, a midwife in Nampossela, Mali, from Holloway’s perspective as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1989. The story highlights Monique’s efforts to educate women and improve healthcare in her village, alongside the deep friendship that forms between Monique and Holloway. The book contains sensitive topics including maternal and child mortality, domestic inequality, and cultural practices.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway receives high praise for its heartfelt narrative and insightful exploration of Malian culture through the life of a dedicated midwife. Readers appreciate the respectful portrayal and genuine connection between the author and Monique. However, some critique the limited scope of the external social and political context.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Monique and the Mango Rains?

Readers who appreciate culturally immersive memoirs about humanitarian work in West Africa will enjoy Monique and the Mango Rains. Fans of Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains or Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love will find similar themes of cross-cultural connections and personal growth in Kris Holloway's tale.

Recommended

Reading Age

14+years

Book Details

Topics

Anthropology

Themes

Society: Community

Relationships: Friendship

Genre

Action / Adventure