I have to agree with those who thought there was a disappointing lack of resolution to these three stories. I am glad I finished it though, otherwise I'd be forever wondering if these women had any sort of connection beyond the fact that they are all Senegalese. Now I know they definitely don't. The language was masterful and engaging, and I enjoyed that. The meticulous psychological portraits of these women were by far the most interesting part. But at the end, even with all the mental and emotional angst they were going through, and with the weak "PS" resolution of each story, I was left thinking "so what"? The book starts out promising, but does not quite deliver. Ok, this one really wasn't my cup of tea. I gather it won the Prix Goncourt, so it'll be me - I'm sure.The biggest problem I had, right from the very start, is NDiaye's writing style. One paragraph is one sentence. I have problems reading this kind of style. My eyes are on the constant lookout for a pause, but the pause doesn't seem to come, so I'm quickly going further in order to know where we're going, but we don't seem to be going anywhere, so really I'm at loss mid-sentence, still trying to find the dot at the end of the sentence, but it doesn't seem to come, o my god, what if the dot never comes, and I'm reading a sentence that will go on for ever, and ever, and ever...Yes, it makes me really nervous.There's only one author I know of that similarly builds sentences in paragraphs, and that's Franz Kafka.But, Kafka's style is so stylized, so sparse and naked, you simply dazzle at the beauty and ingenuity of his prose.I didn't have this feeling with NDiaye's novel at all. She writes a lot. Nothing sparse about it. Thick descriptions so thick it could easily bridge the geographical gap between Europe and Senegal. Yes, I drowned in her descriptions. Sometimes I noticed I read two to three pages on automatic pilot, without remembering what I just read. But when I zone in again, I can still follow the story completely.Yes, she uses a lot of words to tell three very thin stories. The first story is about a daughter - who happens to be a lawyer- that has to visit her estranged father, and finds out her brother's in jail. The second one is about Fanta and her husband (really... You expect me to take your novel seriously if you're going to name one of the leading characters to a beverage?). She follows him from Africa to Europe, and sees her marriage unravel. The third one is about a girl who's husband passes, and because she didn't have any children she was ostracized in the community. Therefore she tries to make it to Europe, in hope for a better life.That's the synopsis for the whole book, yet she needs more than 200 pages to get it told.That's just insane. These are simple and straightforward stories. What you see is what you get. If you're looking for depth in the novel, you'll break your nose on the surface.Words, words, words.Nope. Not for me.
What do You think about Trois Femmes Puissantes (2009)?
3 loosely knit novellas, each beautifully written and tough to get through.
—Lynn
Une écriture puissante, évocatrice. Une narration originale. Très beau.
—Irise
I would describe this book as cozy and elegant.
—cutie
