38 pages • 1 hour read
Bessie HeadMaru
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1971A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Maru by Bessie Head, Margaret, a Masarwa woman raised by a Scottish missionary, becomes a teacher in the village of Dilepe, where she confronts and challenges deep-seated racial prejudice. Through her relationships with key figures Maru and Moleka, who vie for her affection, Margaret's integrity and courage gradually influence the villagers to reconsider their biases against the Masarwa people. The novel explores themes of race, gender, and class dynamics, as Margaret seeks acceptance within a society entrenched in discriminatory beliefs. The book contains depictions of racial prejudice and mentions slavery.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Bessie Head's Maru is acclaimed for its poignant exploration of racial prejudice and human connection in Botswana. Reviewers praise Head's evocative prose and deep character development. However, some critique the pacing and occasional lack of resolution. Overall, Maru remains a powerful narrative on transcending societal barriers.
Who Should Read Maru?
Readers who enjoyed the exploration of complex social issues and rich cultural settings in books like Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe or Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi will appreciate Maru by Bessie Head. The novel delves into themes of identity, love, and prejudice in a Botswanan village, ideal for fans of literary fiction and African literature.