Oprah on Say You’re One of Them
September 30, 2009
After I read Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan, I called it “important” and “significant”. I just found this video and when I saw what Oprah has to say about the first story in the book, An Ex-mas Feast, it made me think about the book and it’s impact all over again. Here’s Oprah’s video blog:
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Huh! Well, I don’t know what to say. I vividly remember this story (hard not to, as it was the first one in a string of heartbreaks) and that was not my takeaway. My biggest hangup was imagining young children sniffing something toxic to stave off the hunger pains. Maybe I need to get some motivation from Oprah, but all the stories just weighed upon me so heavily, I felt I was six feet under by the time I finished. Probably not the best book to read on vacation!
I need to get this book!!!
Interesting what Oprah has to say about this book. And it’s true, we don’t always think about these women having families, and doing what they do to help their families survive. Without education or other skills, many of these women are forced or lured into a life which is risky and demeaning.
(Please delete previous comment due to typos. Thanks!)
It’s interesting that she never thought of those things. Why would a woman subject herself to prostitution is she didn’t have to? To survive maybe?? I think Oprah’s influence has helped put books into people’s hands but sometimes I’m not sure she’s being truthful when she says some of this stuff. Turning a blind eye to it is not the same as not knowing.
I love short stories, so I thought I’d read along with Oprah and picked up the book on announcement day. (Never did that before.) My plan is to read the first story this weekend.