SCARLET SONG BY MARIAMA BA (BOOK REVIEW)

SCARLET SONG BY MARIAMA BA

Scarlet Song, a novel written by Mariama Ba centers majorly on theme of love, interracial marriage, traditions among others. It is 42 years old having been first published in 1981by Les Nouvelles Editions Africanes.

The novel begins by painting a picture of the upbringing of Ousmane Gueye who is a Senegalese and of the black skin complexion. As depicted, Ousmane grows up in humble background in which he was resilient and hardworking enough to flourish in academics. This is despite him being the helper of his mother Yaye Khady and thus being a laughing stock to some of his agemates. On the flipside, Mireille a daughter of a French diplomat in Senegal has obviously grown up in a different environment from Ousmane. The two fall deeply in love with each other right from high school. They fight for their love against all odds. For example, when Mireille is deported to France by his father because of their affair, the two love birds still keep their candle of affection lit by peening letters to each other and sending presents. Eventually Ousmene travels to France and two marry each other. Even in their marriage they face obstacles especially from Ousmane’s folks. Hell breaks loose when Ousmane begins to channel his affection elsewhere in pursuit of his inner self, something he could not find in a white woman.

 

The novel is set in post-independence period. It revolves around majorly urban and rural Senegal and a bit of France. The different characters are distinctively built up, gradually they significantly aid in the narration of the tale. It employs a linear plot which makes it easy to digest. It is rich in language and authenticity in the African taste.

Here are some of my favorite quotations from the book;

“One imagines the birth of happiness to be accompanied by some great spectacular upheaval. One can imagine it flowering in the most luxurious setting. Yet happiness is born of a trifle, feeds on nothing. Enormous value is set on it. It's acquisition seems to demand a high price”.


 “He was poor, it is true. But poverty is not an infirmity. Neither is it a criterion for respectability. How do you judge a person's superiority? A man's greatness? Surely by his intelligence, his heart, his virtues!”


“'One must take risks. Progress demands changing the way people think. Life requires taking risks. There's no reason why I should fail, simply because other people have not succeeded.”


“ Misfortune 'delivered it's packets' at every door, rich or poor, humble or honored.”

 “I say to myself that happiness does not fall into one’s lap. It must be deserved. It must be worked at.”

“ When you want a lot, take a little...….when you want a lot, you must give a lot.”

“ Friendship has a more constant code of behavior than that of love, Friendship can be stronger than the affection born of blood -ties, A brother and sister are not necessarily friends. Time does not leave it's mark on friendship. Love can become exhausted by crossing stormy waters, and rarely emerges unscathed from such trials.”

“It's as impossible to pinpoint the moment when a feeling dies as it is to recognize the exact moment of its birth … what kills an emotion may have as little justification as what gives rise to it..”

 

I fail to find any negative sentiment to paint on this book. The font type and size are seductive enough to the eyes of the reader. The book is well divided into parts making it articulate to the reader.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It took me through a roller-coaster of emotions. I laughed and giggled, frowned and when I got to the last page, the last word, the full stop, I nearly shed tears. It had been a while since I read a book that disoriented and at the same time calmed me emotionally.

If you are after West African Literature, after a novel that will arrest your attention throughout, a novel to entertain you, a novel to challenge your beliefs , an insightful novel, then Scarlet Song by Mariama Ba is the one for you. I recommend 99.9999%.