Harare Review of Books

224 pages.

Expected publish date: Apr 5, 2022.

Genre: Non-fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Princeton Architectural Press for this eARC.

Laetitia Ky is a feminist Ivorian artist who makes sculptures with her hair. Amazing, right? I first came across her on Instagram, where I am one of her 494,000 followers. I am always blown away by the uniqueness of her chosen method of expression, and inspired by the power of her images. (Seriously: go and see that Instagram account.) I was excited to get an ARC of her book, out April 5, in which she shares her journey through essays with accompanying photographs in her inimitable style.

The book is divided into three sections: Celebrating My African Heritage, The Fight for Justice and the Equality of the Sexes, and Self-love. The essays are short, and written in Ky’s usual direct and unapologetically feminist voice. The photographs are fantastic. (I wish I could share screenshots, but you’ll just have to wait for the book.) I savoured it over three days, and pre-ordered my own — Kindle — 1copy halfway through, although tbh I’d do many things to get my hands on a hardcover copy for my theoretical coffee table.

Buy this book! Read it, then buy it for young women, and for young Black women especially. While its message will be most powerful for young women like Ky, it is also for any woman who needs to be reminded about how to be resilient in the face all that women go through. It is a wonderful celebration, and a defiant shout.

Rated: 10/10.