Currently, I am reading Chanda's Wars by Allan Stratton. The main character in my book is Chanda. Chanda is a teenager, raising her two younger siblings in Bonang. Her father died in a mine explosion when she was young, and her mother died from AIDS. We find out that in the past, Chanda's mother was to marry an abusive man her family arranged her to. When her mother refused, her relatives believed she had set a curse over the family, so she moved away from Tiro and to Bonang where she married Chanda's father. When her mother developed AIDS and died, it left Chanda with a hard life, being a mother to her brother and sister, without any support from relatives. Chanda begins having nightmares where she is in Tiro, the main city close to her villiage where her relatives live. In the dreams, her mother's warning her to save her siblings from Maniki, a rebel with a large gang who robs and murders in the territory. The dreams begin to terrorize Chanda so she visits numerous possibilities as to why she's getting these dreams. She decides that the best way to settle her troubles is to visit Tiro, and mend her family feud.
Chanda, her brother, Soly, and their sister, Iris head out on the journey only to find when arriving, her family has set up yet another arranged marriage, for Chanda this time. When Chanda refuses, the family thinks Chanda has set another curse on them, and tries to send them off, back to Bonang. Meanwhile, Madiki and his rebel gang are said to be in the area, so the main road closes down, leaving no way for Chanda and her siblings to get back home. Chanda stays and awaits for the roads to reopen at the General Dealers while Iris and Soly go back to the family compound with their relatives. While they are separated, Mandiki strikes, and kidnaps many of the children in the village, including her brother and sister. It is up to Chanda now, to listen to her mother in her dreams, and go rescue Soly and Iris before it's too late. Her dreams were a warning to her ahead of time, to show her what would take place in the future.
Truly a great summary of the book. You have included many important details that could convince a reader to read the book, and seems like you really understood the story.
ReplyDeleteGood job!
Well, I'm not sure concise is the right word... I'm guilty of writing a lot as well, but Mrs. McConkey DID give a pretty clear limit to the length of this particular blog post...
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming this takes place in Africa, but a more general description of WHERE in Africa (e.g. North Africa, Central Africa, or the name of the country) would be appreciated.
My book, "The Ear, The Eye and The Arm" also focusses on a group of three siblings and has references to tribal beliefs such as curses. At one point, the children endure a witch trial and watch as another person being tested for witchcraft is persecuted and threatened after she fails the test. They believe that she has placed a curse on the village. This gross hatred and ignorance is a truly awful thing. We can only hope that ignorance like this will one day cease to exist.
It would be pretty interesting to read about Chanda's struggle with the rebel. What's his name? You've spelled it as "Maniki", "Mandiki" and "Madiki". I'd like some clarification.
Your summary gives me all the info I need to read and enjoy the book, but where is the review? I'd be interested to hear your own thoughts on the book.
This a good summary, but I'm going to have to agree with Callum and say it's a bit lengthy. You could probably start by taking out the parts on how Chanda's parents died if you wanted to shorten it, as long as you mention Chanda is an orphan. I did enjoy reading it, though I usually prefer a fair bit of details relating to a book before I start it.
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