Two Years with a Midwife in Mali 

by Kris Holloway

This book made me laugh out loud and cry (surprise!).  It provides Excellent insights into the culture, traditions and personalities of people in a village in Mali, as experienced by a young Peace Corps volunteer.  This intimate, easy-to-read narrative is special because it is not the story of a volunteer’s two years in Africa alone.  It all revolves around a special friendship the author developed with the young village midwife and health care worker.  Through this unlikely relationship, we are invited to experience the stark reality of a small village in West Africa, not unlike many others, along with the lush simplicity of daily life there.  Kris Holloway does not focus on herself, but on the people of the area and their situations.  This short book can provide a much-needed education for so many people in this country who don’t know what’s going on across the waters.