by Alice Walker
First published 1992
Tashi, a young African woman, is subjected to the tribal custom of genital mutilation. Severely traumatized, she immigrates to America, where she spends the rest of her life struggling with madness and fighting to reclaim her reality. Walker's powerful narrative explores the lasting psychological impact of this cultural practice and Tashi's courageous, if often painful, journey toward healing.
Genres: fiction, abuse, 20th-century, african-american, african-literature, contemporary, 21st-century, cultural
Vibes: dark, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, trauma-recovery
Setting: Africa, United States
286 pages · Paperback · The New Press
Content warnings: abuse, mental-illness, violence