Title: The Surgeon Who Married Maria and Other Stories
Author: Joshua Nyang’au Araka
Year: 2020
Genre: Short Stories
Publisher: Toz
Reviewer: Abigael Kibanga
Joshua Nyang’au Araka’s The Surgeon Who Married Maria and Other Stories is a captivating collection of short stories that reflects African culture, traditional beliefs and everyday life experiences.
The collection comprises stories such as Nyagenke’s Rain God, When Meat Choked Kerandi, The Surgeon Who Married Maria, The Thief, A Devastating Deluge, Nyagenke’s Bad Boy and When the Bridge Caved In.
As one reads through the book, each story entertains while at the same time imparting valuable moral lessons.
Through these narratives, Araka explores a variety of themes, including suffering and pain, motherly love and care, hope, social support and community values.
These themes are presented through practices such as traditional healing, marriage and other aspects of African society.
One of the most striking stories is The Surgeon Who Married Maria, which highlights how women were traditionally undermined in some communities and denied opportunities that were reserved for men.
“She has to; women are not allowed to witness surgery,” Obare said calmly, but with finality evident in his voice. (Chapter 22)
This statement illustrates the barriers women faced in traditional societies.
Ironically, in modern times, women have excelled in professions that were once considered exclusively male domains, including medicine and surgery.
The stories also examine gender roles within traditional communities.
Women were often viewed as more humble and spiritually suitable than men and were therefore sent to the hills to pray to the gods of Nyagenke whenever the community experienced prolonged droughts.
Men, on the other hand, are at times portrayed as greedy. This is particularly evident in the story When Meat Choked Kerandi.
“A quarter matumbo (intestines) and a quarter steak,” said Kerandi.
Driven by greed and impatience, Kerandi decides to eat the meat raw, a decision that ultimately leads to his death.
The book is particularly engaging because it is easy to understand and closely relates to real-life situations.
The author employs simple language throughout the stories, making them accessible to a wide audience.
He also uses vivid descriptions that enable readers to visualise events clearly and remember the characters with ease.
“Once they stepped out of the gate, Agasa was astonished by the scene that greeted him. The deluge had washed away his uncle Makombi’s homestead. Agasa perched on the fence that survived the destruction and watched the water that had covered what was once Makombi’s homestead.”
Such descriptions allow readers to create clear mental images of the unfolding events, making the stories more vivid and enjoyable.
Overall, The Surgeon Who Married Maria and Other Stories is both educational and entertaining.
It addresses important societal issues while promoting positive moral values.
I would highly recommend this book to students and other readers because it not only provides enjoyment but also encourages reflection on social issues and the importance of good character.
-The reviewer is a University Student on Attachment at Kisii Press Club