Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway
If you haven’t read Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway yet, I highly recommend it. Monique and the Mango Rains is the nonfiction account of Kris Holloway’s time spent as a young Peace Corps volunteer in Mali. The village women endure backbreaking work, little food, unhappy marriages, little health care, and must birth their babies in unfathomable conditions. No running water, no medical equipment, no emergency equipment, and a concrete slab to give birth on. The mortality rate for both women and babies is high. One in twelve for mothers. Can you believe that?! Such a risk to carry and birth a child in Mali. But if the mother survives childbirth, it’s unlikely that the child will. One in five children die before the age of five. That thought just breaks my heart. This is one of the those books that makes me thank my lucky stars that I was born in the country that I live, if simply because of the health care available. 
More than just an account of midwifery in Mali, Monique and the Mango Rains is more about the unlikely friendship between Kris and Monique, the local midwife. For two years they not only work together but they create a very special bond. Both learn much from each other and while reading about the health care was disheartening, I was awed with their friendship and devotion for each other. I was also struck with Monique’s beauty. Just looking at her photo, especially the one on the book cover, I can see the energy that she radiates.
I’ll let this video give you a glimpse into the life of Monique:
Monique passed away while giving birth to her fifth child in 1998. In the decade that has since passed a new clinic called Clinique Monique was completed in June 2007, it’s purpose is to conduct prenatal consultations, perform minor surgeries, and provide gynecological and obstetrical care.
According to the book’s website (which is really fantastic) the clinic is continually in need of basic supplies, medical equipment, and funding to train staff. Through the website, you can make a donation directly to the clinic. So here’s the deal: for each comment left on this post I will donate $1 to the clinic, up to $50 which is enough to pay for a set of medical instruments.
It’s been ten years since Monique passed so it seems fitting now that we can do our small part to demonstrate that her works life will continue on.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Category: Book Reviews, Memoir/Biography, Nonfiction
Tags: Africa, E-H Author, female author, M-P Title, Non-Fiction, published 2008, review copy, videos
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I adored this book. It was so personal and something that I can’t even describe. Thank you for your great review!
on August 10th, 2008 at 7:39 amI’ve seen this book a lot lately… I think I’ll finally wishlist it, thanks for your review!
on August 10th, 2008 at 8:11 amWow, I have not heard of this one, but I’ll have to add it to the list. What an amazing story! And so cool that you are going to donate money!
on August 10th, 2008 at 9:13 amYou’re the second blogger I’ve seen that enjoyed this. I’m going to have add this to my ever-expanding TBR list. Thanks a lot!
No, really. Thanks and thanks for doing what you’re doing with donating money to the clinic with your comments.
on August 10th, 2008 at 11:56 amSounds like an excellent book. Wonderful review, and I’m definitely adding it to my TBR.
on August 10th, 2008 at 12:57 pmI don’t remember hearing about this book before but it sound really good.
Very generous gesture on your part as well!
on August 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pmSounds like a great book, but… I won’t be reading it. I absolutely can not read about this subject or really anything where children and babies die. This means I miss out on a lot of important stuff, but I just can’t do it.
on August 10th, 2008 at 6:17 pmI loved this book too! What a great way to contribute to a great cause. I love that you use your blog for good!
on August 10th, 2008 at 8:29 pmI’ve been curious about this book but hadn’t heard any reviews until I visited your blog tonight. It sounds incredibly touching, though sad. I’ve already added it to my list of books to read. Thanks for your review, and your donation-per-comment idea is wonderful.
on August 10th, 2008 at 10:17 pm[...] $1 to the clinic, up to $50, which is enough to buy a set of medical instruments. Check it out here. [...]
on August 11th, 2008 at 6:00 amIts always great when a simple book can lead to contributing to a much necessary cause such as this. I’m glad the website offers donations directly to the clinic and not via middle-men.
on August 11th, 2008 at 9:08 amI think it is wonderful that you are donating money for every comment! I haven’t read this book yet, but I plan to when I live with my sister (Jen from Devourer of Books) for a couple of months. I definitely won’t be at a loss for things to read at her house! But with her review and now yours, this book is definitely at the top of my list.
on August 11th, 2008 at 9:14 ambrilliant. I may look for this one in the library (if they get it). I saw Devourer of Books offered to match donations, so I’m headed back there to let her know I posted a comment here.
on August 11th, 2008 at 10:44 amWow! What you are doing is wonderful. Thanks for reviewing this book.
on August 11th, 2008 at 11:02 amThanks for a great review! I’m sure Monique’s village will appreciate your generosity.
on August 11th, 2008 at 12:44 pmi had never heard of this book before I read your review! Every thing you do makes me admire you more! donating money to the organization directly and not through third parties is an amazing idea! i am going to read this book right away and see if there’s something i can do too! you are soo totally inspiring!
on August 11th, 2008 at 2:02 pmWhat a terrific thing to do. I’m putting this book on my wishlist right now.
on August 11th, 2008 at 11:20 pmThis is already on my wishlist. Glad to see you recommend it.
on August 13th, 2008 at 1:05 amWow. Thanks, Natasha, for your kind words about my book and your generous offer to match posts. What a novel way to raise money! And it goes so far in Mali. It’s women like you, who care about their sisters in Africa, that will bring about the change we need to see in this world! Ande Zellman, editor of the Literary Ventures Fund, told me about this blog and how wonderful it was.
Many thanks,
on August 13th, 2008 at 7:43 pmKris Holloway
Thanks everybody for your awesome thoughts!
Thank you very much Kris for stopping by and your kind thoughts. Stories like that of Monique’s affects me deeply. My pregnancies are so odd (I have only half of a uterus) that I’m pretty sure that if I did not have access to great health care I and my baby would not be able to survive childbirth. It breaks my heart to know that the technology exists but yet so many people in the world do not have access to it.
on August 14th, 2008 at 9:33 pmThose statistics are heartbreaking and it makes you wonder how we are so lucky to be where we are–there just doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. I’ll definitely check this one out. Thanks again Natasha!
on August 16th, 2008 at 6:21 pmNatasha, great idea. I also read Monique and the Mango Rains and it truly touched me. It’s an amazing book, and one I’ve been telling everyone about!
on August 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pmThis book is now on the top of my list of books to read. Thanks for your generosity!
on August 21st, 2008 at 7:01 amNatasha – I saw that you and Jen (DofB) were mentioned in Shelf-Awareness today … I hope this generates even more interest in the clinic work … awesome job spreading the word!
on August 21st, 2008 at 7:01 amI plan to go out to my local independent bookstore and purchase a copy. Thanks for the recommendation. A “big pat on the back” for the generous contribution you are making.
on August 21st, 2008 at 7:10 amI saw the mention on Shelf Awareness today. Thank you for your excellent work!
on August 21st, 2008 at 7:10 amI’ve heard about this book but after seeing the blurb in Shelf Awareness this morning, I’m going to have to add it to my ever-growing list of books to read. Your generosity is admirable!
on August 21st, 2008 at 7:24 amWhat a great book title, and a great cause.
on August 21st, 2008 at 8:21 amsaw you and devourer of books on Shelf Awareness and wanted to be a part of what you are doing here. Thanks to you both for donating.
on August 21st, 2008 at 8:34 amI already commented, but was excited to see your generosity mentioned in today’s Shelf Awareness!
on August 21st, 2008 at 9:04 amThis is what I love about good books, they call us to be better people. I’ll be picking up a copy of this book in the near future. Thanks for your generous spirit!
on August 21st, 2008 at 1:05 pmThanks so much for doing this:)
on August 21st, 2008 at 2:19 pmCheers to you for your generosity. Monique is a Literary Ventures Fund-supported book. When we saw all the blog philanthropy (bloganthropy?) activity our publicist made sure the folks at Shelf Awareness knew about it. Thanks so much to all you big-hearted readers!
on August 23rd, 2008 at 12:31 pmI’m so excited to read this book. I got it a couple of weeks ago and it has been sitting on my shelf. I will make it a priority. I know the first few pages had me hooked. I was sad to see that Monique had already passed.
on September 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pmI’m getting this book for my sister-in-law for Christmas.
on September 8th, 2008 at 7:54 pmThank you thank you for reviewing this book. I just finished it a couple of days ago and really LOVED it. I have been telling everyone about the interesting stories in this book. What a remarkable women Monique was.
on September 17th, 2008 at 9:30 pmLaura H. – You’re welcome! I’m glad that you enjoyed it. I get nervous when people actually read my recommendations, so I’m happy.
on September 17th, 2008 at 10:09 pm[...] my pleasure to receive books from Literary Ventures Fund for review and was delighted to discover Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway through their efforts, a book which I really [...]
on September 27th, 2008 at 11:15 pmMy bookclub chose this book as our Nov selection. We thought this story was well told. We loved Monique and what she was able to accomplish for her village. We wished we could have met her and heard her talk about her experiences. Kris did a great job of describing a totally different world than our own. We would love to hear Kris speak if she ever comes to the SF Bay Area.
on November 21st, 2008 at 7:47 pmMy daughter (who is now in Malawi, Africa for 3 months doing an internship in a refugee camp) recommended this book. I chose it for my book club without reading it. After reading I have found myself thinking about it a lot. I loved this book. Next week I’ll find out if the other members enjoyed it as much as I did. And, like Nancy from the SF Bay Area, I would love to hear Kris speak.
on February 13th, 2009 at 12:40 pmI am actually studying this book for one of my classes and got attended Kris’ lecture!
on February 17th, 2009 at 10:32 pmA fantastic book, and a true depiction of what childbirth means for many women in Africa.
on March 3rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm[...] reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger [...]
on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:08 amI had to read this book for my anthro class and ended up loving it! It is a truly touching novel.
on December 8th, 2009 at 8:59 amIt changed my life!
on December 15th, 2009 at 12:12 pmI read this book for my written communication and global issues class – it is a great book. I completely agree with your comments on it!
on January 25th, 2010 at 11:28 am