38 pages • 1 hour read
Maru
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Book Brief
127
Novel • Fiction
Botswana • Mid-20th century
1971
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Maru by Bessie Head, Margaret, a Masarwa woman raised by a Scottish missionary, becomes a teacher in the village of Dilepe, where she confronts and challenges deep-seated racial prejudice. Through her relationships with key figures Maru and Moleka, who vie for her affection, Margaret's integrity and courage gradually influence the villagers to reconsider their biases against the Masarwa people. The novel explores themes of race, gender, and class dynamics, as Margaret seeks acceptance within a society entrenched in discriminatory beliefs. The book contains depictions of racial prejudice and mentions slavery.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Emotional
Inspirational
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
1,538 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Bessie Head's Maru is acclaimed for its poignant exploration of racial prejudice and human connection in Botswana. Reviewers praise Head's evocative prose and deep character development. However, some critique the pacing and occasional lack of resolution. Overall, Maru remains a powerful narrative on transcending societal barriers.
Who Should Read Maru?
Readers who enjoyed the exploration of complex social issues and rich cultural settings in books like Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe or Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi will appreciate Maru by Bessie Head. The novel delves into themes of identity, love, and prejudice in a Botswanan village, ideal for fans of literary fiction and African literature.
1,538 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Margaret Cadmore (Orphan)
Margaret Cadmore (Orphan)
An orphaned Masarwa woman taken in by missionaries, who becomes a teacher and faces social challenge and discrimination due to her ethnicity.
Margaret Cadmore (Missionary)
Margaret Cadmore (Missionary)
A woman of energy and moral principles, who raises the orphan Margaret Cadmore, aiming to provide her with education and a better life.
Moleka
Moleka
A chief and close friend of Maru, whose life changes with the arrival of Margaret, affecting his relationships and personal dynamics.
Dikeledi
Dikeledi
The daughter of a paramount chief, a teacher, and social justice advocate, who extends friendship to Margaret and challenges traditional familial roles.
127
Novel • Fiction
Botswana • Mid-20th century
1971
Adult
18+ years
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