75. The Purple Violet of Oshaantu by Neshani Andreas
Title: The Purple Violet of Oshaantu Author: Neshani Andreas Genre: Novel/Rural Publishers: Heinemann (African Writers Series) Year of Publication: 2001 Country: Namibia For the African Reading Challenge The Purple Violet of Oshaantu is a novel that catalogues everything that is absolutely wrong in marriage: extramarital affair, domestic abuse, disrespect, disinheritance, widow-molestation, superstition, economic destitution, and more. Told by Mee Ali, whose marriage is perfect and exemplary, we follow her observations of the marriage life of her friend Kauna, who at the beginning of her marriage to Shange was considered as beautiful as the Purple Violet flower that grows in Oshaantu. However, everything went sour when Shange took on a mistress and began spending his nights away from home. Kauna became lonely, physically and emotionally distressed. She lost respect in the community because her women friends blame her for allowing her husband to leave her for another...