See what others are raving about Mari’s works
… a beautiful tale of perseverance and survival, and really an easy and enjoyable read!
… moving and compelling, heart-wrenching and hopeful.
Every page is a compelling reading, not only in terms of the resistance history of the Namibian people, but their cultural history as well.
This is a book of the love of family, the desire to live, resilience and getting a helping hand along the way. A must-read not only for those who want to know more about the history of the Herero people, but for everyone who loves a good novel.
… [A] standout historical novel … fascinating and heartbreaking narrative … by turns joyous and tragic … Mama Namibia is a heart-warming but wrenching story.
Goodreads Reviews
… a compelling story despite the horrific events it portrayed. Recommended reading!
… a fascinating compelling read on the genocide of the Herero people.
… worth every bit of time a reader gives it.
… profoundly engaging and an absolute masterpiece. … I could not hold back the tears at the end.
You ever meet a book that will just change you from the inside out? Stick to the bonds of your soul long after you read the last word on the very last page? This is one of those books. Jahohora’s story is one for the ages.
Amazon Reviews
Could not stop reading this engrossing book.
Mama Namibia weaves together the parallel paths of the young Herero girl, Jahohora, and a Jewish doctor serving in the German army in South West Africa during a shameful period of plunder and genocide — and does so with simplicity, humanity and a visceral feeling for the land and people.
… I found myself thoroughly drawn into the story, and I didn’t want to put it down. … The book has obviously been meticulously researched.
Articles on The Genocide that Quoted Mari or Mentioned Mama Namibia
Articles about Mama Namibia
“Mama Namibia, More than Novel About Genocide.”
Matundu-Tjiparuro, Kae. New Era (Windhoek), Sept. 20, 2013.
“The Tale of Jahohora Told in Two Books.”
Mukaiwa, Martha. The Namibian, Oct. 13, 2015, Windhoek, Namibia.
Blog Mentions
“Germany’s Place in the Sun.” November 2015.
Jan. 3, 2016
“It’s always the season for book reading”. May 3, 2014.
“Land of the Saggy, Baggy Elephant: Namibia.” Nov. 15, 2015.
Nov. 29, 2015
Miscellaneous Mentions of Mama Namibia
“Herero and Namaqua Genocide.”
Comment on the article “But no Genocide?” July 18, 2016.
Reading list for Dr. Stefan Ihrig’s fall 2016 “German Colonialism, Late Imperialism and Racial Theories: Pre-Histories of the Holocaust?”