For Central African Republic, I read Co-Wives, Co-Widows by Adrienne Yabouza, and WOW, it was not at all what I expected. It’s the story of two women whose husband dies unexpectedly, so I assumed I was in for a dark, morose tale. NOPE! It was lively, funny, smart and downright effervescent.

The story is set in 2011 when the country is on the brink of a civil war that started in 2012 and continues to this day. If you live in the United States and feel like our government and elections are a bit chaotic, then spend a little time on the Wikipedia page for Central African Republic. You might come away with a new understanding of what it means to live under a “chaotic” government.

At only 124 pages,Co-wives is a fast read, but Yabouza packed the story with information about life in Central African Republic, including the CAR’s “democratic elections” and the corruption of its government and judicial system. She also weaves daily life into the story with details about clothing, food, family structure, houses, commerce, and customs surrounding grief, courtship, and marriage.

I’d like to especially draw your attention to the local tradition for Mother’s Day: the husbands wear their wives’ dresses and cook dinner. (I think I’ll stick with flowers.)

And the story itself was very interesting! It brought me along the co-widows’ journey, riling up feelings of anger and indignation, and the ending was unexpected but inevitable and emotionally satisfying.

The book was translated from French into English by Rachael McGill (great work there!), and its the first book from the Central African Republic to be translated into English. But this is not the sort of book that should only be read during a Read Around the World quest. It’s a wonderful, uplifting story with a feminist edge that I absolutely adored.