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Biography & Memoir· Rwanda

The Barefoot Woman

by Scholastique Mukasonga
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2008French
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About This Book

The Barefoot Woman by Scholastique Mukasonga is a landmark work of biography & memoir, first published in 2008. 'The Barefoot Woman' is a tribute to Mukasonga's mother and a memoir of her family's life before the Rwandan genocide. Through vivid and heartfelt storytelling, Mukasonga honors her mother's resilience and the cultural heritage of her people. The book is a poignant exploration of loss, memory, and the enduring impact of the genocide, offering readers a deeply personal perspective on Rwandan history. Themes of motherhood, cultural heritage, loss run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorScholastique Mukasonga
Published2008
Country of Origin🇷🇼 Rwanda
LanguageFrench
Category✍️ Biography & Memoir
ISBN978-0914671319
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

✍️ Biography & Memoir

True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

Explore all Biography & Memoir books →
Country of Origin

🇷🇼 Rwanda

This book is part of Rwanda's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Rwanda →

Editorial Assessment

Scholastique Mukasonga published The Barefoot Woman in 2008, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of biography & memoir from Rwanda. The book's treatment of motherhood, cultural heritage, loss, memory accounts for much of its enduring reputation. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Barefoot Woman is how it handles its central concerns — motherhood, cultural heritage, loss, memory — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Scholastique Mukasonga's role in the literature of Rwanda is well established. The Barefoot Woman can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

London Review of Books
notable · global
20080
✍️
About the Author
Scholastique Mukasonga
Rwanda
View Author →

Scholastique Mukasonga is a Rwanda author whose work in biography & memoir has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Barefoot Woman about?

'The Barefoot Woman' is a tribute to Mukasonga's mother and a memoir of her family's life before the Rwandan genocide. Through vivid and heartfelt storytelling, Mukasonga honors her mother's resilience and the cultural heritage of her people. The book is a poignant exploration of loss, memory, and the enduring impact of the genocide, offering readers a deeply personal perspective on Rwandan history.

Who wrote The Barefoot Woman?

The Barefoot Woman was written by Scholastique Mukasonga, from Rwanda. First published in 2008.

What awards has The Barefoot Woman won?

The Barefoot Woman has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Barefoot Woman worth reading?

The Barefoot Woman is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in motherhood, cultural heritage, loss.

Where can I buy The Barefoot Woman?

You can buy The Barefoot Woman on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Barefoot Woman?

The Barefoot Woman is classified as Biography & Memoir. True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

What country is The Barefoot Woman from?

The Barefoot Woman originates from Rwanda's literary tradition. Explore more books from Rwanda on our country page.

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