Under the Neem Tree [Paperback]

Susan Lowerre (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a guileless narrative filled with affection and anger, Lowerre tells of the ill health and bureaucratic failings that beset her when, in 1985, she travelled to northern Senegal with the Peace Corps. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- An emotionally intense, readable book for mature readers. The neem tree provided Lowerre with shade and sanctuary during her stay in Senegal as a Peace Corps volunteer. Both her friends and rivals come alive in this graphic account of her struggle to work and survive in the harsh climate amidst extreme poverty and disease. What comes across throughout is Lowerre's devotion to the Senegalese people; she kept working despite serious health problems of her own. Each chapter discusses a single event and keeps the pace flowing. This is similar to Mike Tidwell's Ponds of Kalambayi (Lyons & Burford, 1990). He, however, explains the work of the organization more fully while Lowerre helps readers know the people better. There is no glossary of the non-English terms.
-Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Washington Pr (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295972734
• ISBN-13: 978-0295972732
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,527,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > History > Africa > Senegal

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for potential Peace Corps volunteers., July 17, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Neem Tree (Hardcover)

I am a two time Peace Corps volunteer and "Under the Neem
Tree" truely captures the Peace Corps experience of many
volunteers. The small accomplishments, the major disappoint-
ments, the challenge of trying to stay physically as well
as mentally healthy are all part of this volunteers story.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UNDER THE NEEM TREE, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Neem Tree (Hardcover)

Not a glorified look at the Peace Corps but a realistic, gritty account of both the trials and tribulations of serving in the Corps. Lowerre tells how her romantic expectations of life in Africa contrasted with the reality she soon encountered- the heat, the hard life and even the parasites that invaded her body. Even so, she finds herself becoming attached to the people she lives among, to the country and a life that is far different than the one she expected. An excellent, honest memoir.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Okay, but enough already!, February 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Neem Tree (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this book in the beginning. You can certainly tell that Susan is not a writer, but she gets her point across. The reader is presented with a vivid picture of her life in Africa, the challenges she faces, decisions and judgements she makes along the way. Eventually, though, it gets to the point where you grow weary of her self-congratulatory comments. Over and over you read, "That woman wouldn't survive a day in my village," or "Senegal is where I belong, not in this clean, plastic world (America)."

Also, unless you care to read a whole lot about fisheries and the work done in them, there is not a whole lot of dimension to the work. She comes across and bitter, angry and self-righteous much of the time, and it gets old.

Peace Corps is a choice for a way of life. I, she and several thousand have chosen it now and in the past. Though it is challenging and difficult at times, it's a choice. I see no need to condescend others for making a different lifestyle choice.

An okay story, but I recommend "Mango Elephants in the Sun" hands down over this one.