GAMWRITERS

The protagonist of the novel, Ya Rose, quits her job in her native country and travels to the United Kingdom to seek greener pastures. There, she finds life extremely hard contrary to her expectations. Consequently, she resorts to luring men into relationships with the aim of manoeuvring her way out of the awkward situation in which she finds herself.

The book is multi-themed, touching on marriage, religion, female circumcision, politics, journalism, etc. Below are excerpts:

Ya Rose is a short, slim Gambian lady. She wears a shy, timid, polite, piteous and innocent look that can deceive the most intelligent, sagacious person on earth.

Ya Rose’s mother travelled and settled abroad when she was a very young girl, leaving her under the care of her father who died later...

…When he was about to return home, Ya Rose gave him two big parcels of food and drinks meant for Pa and himself. The parcels were so heavy that he could hardly carry them. He nearly had his arms dislocated while walking to the bus stop near the house of the Tunkaras.

‘I’m always longing to see you or at least hear your melodious voice. I couldn’t sleep a wink last night because I was thinking of you after we chatted on the phone…’

‘You are beautiful and it will be very good to have you as a wife in addition to Awo who is equally gorgeous. I think history is about to repeat itself now that I’m planning to marry a second charming lady.’

‘I will be saying pleasant things to you and giving you good things to make you feel comfortable and happy if you marry me. I will transform you into a very young boy…’

‘I believe you can make me happy, but I wonder how you can turn an old man into a young lad. Do you have magical powers to do that?’

‘I don’t want my children to take interest in law, politics, writing and journalism. What about you?’

‘I personally have favourite occupations different from those but can allow my children to practise any profession to help others and earn their living in a decent manner…’

‘…It’s not wrong to retaliate, but it would be better if we could reciprocate good deeds and forgive bad ones.’

‘It’s good to forgive bad deeds but not everybody is endowed with the virtue of forgiving offences. So, it’s advisable that we try as much as possible to avoid wronging others. That way, we will not fear the bitter effects of reprisal.  It’s easier for us to control ourselves and refrain from offending others than to convince those offended to pardon us.’