The book review:
This is an impressive book that illustrates dozens of fascinating issues. It is based on the simple idea of letting Kenyan women speak for themselves. Author Halperin conducted hundreds of interviews in the mid-nineties and a few more in 2001–03. She culled and edited by subject into the resulting book.

Kenyan women frankly address the issues they face—from harsh childhoods to love, marriage, troublesome in-laws and abusive husbands. They comment on tribal traditions, coming of age ceremonies, including circumcision, and community pressures. They discuss education, especially the difficulties they encountered as girls trying—many unsuccessfully—to go to school and the high value they place on schooling for their children. Also, they speak of economic hard times, lack of land, the need for urban survival skills, and the almost sole responsibility for the mother to feed, clothe and educate her children. Additionally author Halperin chronicles group efforts to bolster self-esteem and economic prospects.

Men are the "heavies" in these recitations. They are the self-centered harsh fathers, the abusive drunken husbands and the corrupt unresponsive politicians. No doubt this was the reality of Kenyan culture during the last half of the 20th century, but that too is changing albeit slowly. Part of the drama of the excerpts relates to the passing of older times and behavior and the evolution to more modern relationships. Part of the tragedy of such changes is the resulting social instability. More and more women are left alone to cope with issues whereas their mothers and grandmothers relied on expanded families and long-established traditions. However, as the book shows, Kenyan women are developing new ways of cooperating.

Kenyan women speak for themselves complete with the special vocabulary that RPCVs will recognize: digging, smart, cheat, bursary, curring, etc. coupled with intermixed Swahili: shamba, matatu, kitu kidogo. Retention of such language renders the book authentic.

Although they probably were not trying, the various voices continually speak of problems and challenges, rather than joys and triumphs. Halperin too recognized that tone and sought to add a section about optimism, but without much noticeable impact. She also added several incongruous chapters towards the end allowing European and Asian women to speak, but they talked mostly about their security fears and marginalization in modern Kenya. This segued into an expanded oblique critique of the Moi regime and expression of hopes—and some initial evidence that Kibaki's tenure would dramatically change the overall political, economic and social climate for the better.

In sum, if you ever doubted that Kenyan cultural norms differed from American ones, this tome will set you straight. Those unfamiliar with Kenya will probably be astounded, but those who know the country will learn more. There will be "aha" moments when puzzlements about Kenyan attitudes or behavior become clearer. Although the book gets to be depressingly pessimistic, it remains a gem of an idea and a useful primer on how Kenyans functions.