55 pages • 1 hour read
Mariama BaSo Long a Letter
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1979A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba depicts the life of Ramatoulaye, a teacher in Senegal, as she writes a heartfelt letter to her childhood friend Aissatou, who has moved to America. Through Ramatoulaye's reflections on her marriage, widowhood, and experiences with societal expectations, the novel explores themes of resilience, education, and the evolving roles of women in Senegalese society. The story includes themes of polygamy, marital infidelity, and out-of-wedlock pregnancy.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mariama Ba's So Long a Letter is lauded for its evocative depiction of the emotional struggles faced by Senegalese women. Reviews commend its powerful narrative and candid examination of polygamy and societal expectations. Some critics note its heavy reliance on cultural context may challenge unfamiliar readers, but its evocative prose and themes of resilience resonate universally.
Who Should Read So Long a Letter?
A reader who would enjoy So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba appreciates feminist literature exploring themes of gender, culture, and tradition in post-colonial Africa. Similar to fans of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun or Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions, they seek powerful insights into women's lives and societal dynamics.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
History: African
Gender / Feminism
Auto/Biographical Fiction
African Literature
Heinemann African Writers