Kui Murage
1605 Whispering Brooke Drive
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Dear Sue Monk Kidd,
Your book brings a smile to my face as well as tears to my eyes. My two heroines are represented in your book: my mother and my Cucu (grandmother), who share many similar morals with each other. My parents were born and raised in Kenya, and your book highlights the pride I take in my history and heritage. Your book gave me a broader view of grief and how it affects everyone, but in different ways. It gave me a different perspective about the suffering in the world, as well as the arrogance we hold towards others in pain, such as the arrogance we hold towards those involved in the modern day genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
My mother is a strong woman, both physically and emotionally; she holds our family together. Rosaleen mirrors my mother; they’re strong at mind, and are kind-hearted. When Rosaleen and Lily take this adventure through life, they encounter many obstacles, which they overcome together. Like them, my family has overcome many obstacles that were thrown at us. My dad died when I was 5 years old. My sister and I were young, and my mom was left to support us emotionally. My mother glowed when it came to handling us. In the end, it was her strength and wisdom that allowed our family to persevere. Through hills and valleys, joy and grief, my mother kept us together.
My Cucu is greatly reflected through August. They both take pride in their history and are very open. Both my Cucu and your August were open to others; my Cucu supported disadvantaged children, allowing them to go to school. She valued educationand has lived, and still lives, her life, not only worrying about herself and her family, but also worrying about others. My Cucu witnessed and played a part of the Mau-Mau Rebellion. The Mau-Mau Rebellion (1948-62) was the uprising against the British by Kenyans. As many were killed all around her, she was able to keep her strong mind through hard times. Like my Cucu, August was able to keep a strong mind when she lost her sister. I look up to August and Cucu, as they are able to be concerned about themselves as well as others, when many wouldn’t. Today, my mother takes after her and helps young people go to college and takes pride in her history.
Your book presented a roller-coaster of grief and joy. Grief jumped out at me when each character was coping with loss. You included different ways someone could cope and recover from loss. What truly amazed me was the arrogance of the people around the grieving. This greatly reminded me of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Many have died, and many more will die as the world watches in silent horror. When Rosaleen was taken to jail for a minor offense, she was maimed while the security guard knew what was happening. As the people of Sudan are molested, and die from starvation, our country watches not wanting to take action, for this genocide has little or no affect on America. Even today, I’m sitting here writing to you, and questions are ringing in my head: are we (our country) really that selfish? Or is it instinct? And I conclude, none of the above. Our choice is either to approach with a business sense (as our country has) or take it to heart.
I have continued to appreciate my history, admire my mother and Cucu, and you’ve opened my eyes and made me aware of the world around me.
Sincerely,
Kui Murage
Copyright (c) The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Used by permission.