The Girl Who Can

by Ama Ata Aidoo

Published 11 March 2003
In this collection of short stories, Aidoo elevates the mundane in women's lives to an intellectual level in an attempt at challenging patriarchal structures and dominance in African society. Written from a child's perspective, Aidoo subverts the traditional beliefs and assumptions about the child's voice. Her inimitable sense of style and eloquence, explores love, marriage and relationships with all the issues they throw up for the contemporary African woman. In doing so, she manages to capture the very essence of womanhood. - Challenges patriarchal structures and dominance in African society - Portrays a child's perspective on traditional African beliefs

Changes

by Ama Ata Aidoo

Published 1 November 1993
"Changes" is a spirited and poignant story about Esi, an independent woman who leaves her husband, Oko, because he intrudes on her time and personal space. Confronted with the difficulty of finding love and companionship on acceptable terms, Esi meets Ali and falls in love, but she must decide if she is willing to make the changes necessary for a relationship. In "Changes", the renowned Ghanaian writer, Ama Ata Aidoo, addresses various issues in contemporary African women's lives: love, career, betrayal and family, without offering simple solutions.