'It was about how, at last, I recognised the connection between mutilation and enslavement that is at the root of the domination of women in the world'.

Brilliant book. Suprisingly easy to read seeing as it deals with such a complex culteral and social issue of female circumcision.


Excellent! Interesting! and informative!   August 1, 2003
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Reading Possessing The Secret of Joy prompted me to focus on Alice Walker for my university studies. The book articulates the voice of many women who have been circumsised, it tracks the life of Tashi an African tribes women who relocates to America. Walker successfully brings to light a subject that is too often ignored or unrealised- a 'taboo'. This book is a must read, it is incredibly powerful and I was unable to but it down.


Excellent! Interesting! and informative!   August 1, 2003
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Reading Possessing The Secret of Joy prompted me to focus on Alice Walker for my university studies. The book articulates the voice of many women who have been circumsised, it tracks the life of Tashi an African tribes women who relocates to America. Walker successfully brings to light a subject that is too often ignored or unrealised- a 'taboo'. This book is a must read, it is incredibly powerful and I was unable to but it down.


amazing book!   January 17, 2003
after reading the colour purple and being addicted to it, i thought i would give this book a try to find out more about tashi and her life after arriving in america. i was not disapointed, and ended up reading the book in one day because i just couldnt put it down. a brief synopsis of this book would be that it follows tashi's journey to america and deals with how she copes living in such a different culture. anyone who has read the colour purple will remember that previous to her journey to america she received the female intiation ceromony, and the book discusses how she copes with that when living in a culture where it is not the social norm. be warned this book is very sad in places, and the only book that has made me cry but was well worth reading.