September Book

I only got through one full book this month, We Meant Well by Erum Shazia Hasan.

The book starts with Maya, a woman living in Los Angeles, packing to go on a work trip. She tells her somewhat disinterested husband that she isn't sure how long she will be gone, she is being called in to deal with an issue.  We find out she used to be posted in Africa working for a charity, but has been mostly remote for a few years.  There is now a situation involving one of her colleagues and a local woman, and she is being tasked with addressing it.  As she travels closer to the village, we get more details, and then we find out what happened upon her arrival. 

What I liked about this book is that I didn't know anything about it, and we are fed details slowly, so that it's hard to have a preconceived notion of the story.  As I was reading it I was reminded of The Poisonwood Bible, one of my favourite books, which addresses the issue of ministering to Africa.  In that story, with the backdrop of 1960s Congo, the Price family is seen as doing more harm than good, and perhaps they would say "We Meant Well" too, and it is only with our view of history that we can judge them otherwise.  

In this book, it is during modern times, and many of the charities operating in Africa now are doing so with attention being paid to being thoughtful and respectful of local customs and traditions, without forcing Western values on anyone, while still trying to provide health care, education, clean water, etc., "meaning well". There are many great passages in this book where the main character reflects on work she has done, what other people are doing, and how they all fit into the African landscape, if at all.  Is it enough for them to say "we meant well" even as things remain desperate for so many people? 

When I finished the book the word that came to mind was "incredible". I really enjoyed the story and the writing and perhaps because of The Poisonwood Bible being one of my favourite books, felt more of an affinity to the subject matter.  This is one of those books that challenges you and I would recommend it.