Another Woman's Daughter

Another Woman’s Daughter By Fiona Sussman (A Novel)

The story takes place during the 1960's apartheid South Africa. The story begins with a woman named, Celia who is a black servant worker for a white family in the suburbs of Johannesburg. The racial segregation occurring at the time led to turmoil in South Africa, but Celia was comfortable with her job which enabled her to raise her youngest daughter Miriam and take care of her faraway family. But, unfortunately, Celia‘s life made a drastic change when her employers decided they wanted to move to England to escape the political turmoil of South Africa and they asked to take her child Miriam with them. Even though Celia would never want to lose her only daughter she allows her employers, the Steiner’s to take her daughter believing that Miriam will have a more promising future. Little does Celia know this decision will define both their futures as she struggles to fight against the turmoil and violence of South Africa while Miriam struggles against the quiet racism of England - until she feels the longing of her lost heritage and returns to Africa.

This novel definitely had me in my feelings as a held on to each word with anxiety, longing and understanding. The main characters Celia and Miriam are a perfect example of how life never goes as expected but it's important to push through and fight. Even though Celia was lied to by the Steiner’s she still fought day in and day out to somehow see her daughter even though all the odds were against her. Miriam on the other hand, had her own struggles as she faced unexpected racism from her classmates and peers the moment she arrived in England as she was the only black girl in her class and neighborhood. Her only true friend was an Indian girl named Zelda whose bright and strong personality gave Miriam guidance when everything seemed gloom. I felt a connection with Miriam as she struggled with her identity. As a young black girl or boy it is very easy to be confused about oneself when society has already considered you a second-class citizen. It's hard to love yourself when society says you should hate yourself. It's hard being black in society and even harder when you're surrounded by people who remind you of that every day.

I had my doubts when I first laid my eyes on the summary of this book and realized it was written by a white woman. I simply did not feel that a white women would be able to convey the struggles of being an African woman. The struggles of hating yourself and feeling different because of your skin color. My doubts quickly dissipated the moment I began to read farther into the lives of the characters. The connection I felt with Miriam truly solidified that Sussman was able to break past her own world and enter a new. She successfully created characters that were believable and crossed racial boundaries in a way that shows we all still face struggles when it comes to accepting ourselves.

A character that truly touched my heart in this book and reminded me of my own mother was Celia who relentlessly fought all the turmoil thrown at her just to get a chance to meet her daughter again. Celia was the embodiment of a loving mother just trying her hardest to love and support her children no matter the means. Celia’s strength and courage throughout the novel brought me to tears at times because it simply reminded me of the struggles my mother faced for me and my siblings. It made me realize how hard it is to be a mother. As my mother always said “I'm learning as I go. I wasn't given a handbook and parenting isn't easy. I'm going to make mistakes.” Which I couldn't agree with more. We often seek so much from our parents when their only human just like us. They are going to make mistakes.

I without a doubt recommend this book. Sussman touched upon many different aspects that I know woman can relate to such as their first sexual experience, abortion, love, acceptance, motherhood and sacrifice. This novel will have you shocked and in tears by the final pages as a secret is uncovered and we see the unyielding love of a mother and child.