Summary

Chapter 22

Rama will soon see Aissatou who is travelling back to Senegal. Rama wonders what differences she will see in her friend, what changes her friend will see in her.

Ramatoulaye talks of her older children- Mawdo Fall is in conflict with his teacher, who finds ways to ensure a Black student is not ranked first in the class; her twins, who play tricks on everyone; Daba, who has a strong, balanced, modern marriage; Aissatou who has taken Daba’s place in looking after her siblings. Rama is grateful when Mawdo Bâ steps in with medical support when her children fall ill.

Chapter 23

Ramatoulaye grapples with being a parent of adolescents and young adults. In an effort to be modern and build trust with her children, she’s allowed the girls to wear trousers, to go to the movies unescorted, to have both female and...