37 pages • 1 hour read
Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali
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Book Brief
Monique and the Mango Rains
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2006214
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Mali • 1980s
2006
Adult
14+ years
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.
Informative
Emotional
Heartwarming
Challenging
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
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 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.
Monique Dembele
Monique Dembele
A dedicated 24-year-old midwife in Nampossela who works tirelessly to provide healthcare for the village women and children amid the challenges posed by a patriarchal society.
John Bidwell
John Bidwell
A fellow Peace Corps volunteer and Kris Holloway's partner, who supports and collaborates with her to improve the villagers' lives and helps Monique's children receive an education.
Bakary Dembele (The Dugutigi)
Bakary Dembele (The Dugutigi)
The village chief of Nampossela, who serves as a pivotal community leader and supports Holloway and Bidwell in their efforts to bring about change in the village.
Francois Dembele
Francois Dembele
Monique's husband, whose jealousy and materialism create personal and professional challenges for her in her role as midwife.
Pascal Konate
Pascal Konate
Monique’s childhood love, who is a prison guard in the military and shares a deep, albeit constrained, connection with Monique.
214
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Mali • 1980s
2006
Adult
14+ years
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