Customer Reviews

Intimate Colonialism: Head, Heart, and Body in West African Development Work (Writing Lives)

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"West African Development Work" means 16 months in the Peace Corps (the author didn't even finish her term of service). I don't resent Charles writing a memoir of her Peace Corps years, she's not the only one to try and cash in on culture shock and self-involvement. I object to her academic pretensions. I ordered this book because I thought it was written by someone with experience in "west african development work". What a joke. We learn that Togoans are good dancers and Africa agrees with Ms Charles. She loves the way she looks!

I concede the author is likeable. If she had marketed her book for what it is--- a memoir of a short period in her life--I wouldn't be grumbling.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was so informative and substantive. I got a great sense of the author, Togo and its people. How interesting to learn about "butt worship" and it's ode to the female form. It's no wonder why my African American brothers are so enamored with the booty since it's origins hail straight from the Motherland! Throughout, I found myself reading slowly savoring every word like I was eating a really good meal, felt like I experienced it as the author had--does the brain really know the difference?...hmm. All the food descriptions made me hungry and reminded me of my childhood and having a Nigerian neighbor who would cook okra soup and Fufu for us. Oh how we'd beg him to cook that soup with such a distinctive aroma and flavor!.....I also appreciated how fully present the author was during her experience-- so aware of herself, sexuality and how she was being experienced-- without being self-absorbed. My first read of an ethnographic research novel and I was very pleased. I like this academic approach and still felt general happiness of a person having few complaints, very reality based without trying to transcend her humanity...eager to read more of her work and in this genre!