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King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village (2012)

di Peggielene Bartels

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23930111,521 (3.71)27
Biography & Autobiography. History. Nonfiction. HTML:The charming real-life fairy tale of an American secretary who discovers she has been chosen king of an impoverished fishing village on the west coast of Africa. King Peggy has the sweetness and quirkiness of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series and the hopeful sense of possibility of Half the Sky.
 
King Peggy chronicles the astonishing journey of an American secretary who suddenly finds herself king to a town of 7,000 souls on Ghana's central coast, half a world away. Upon arriving for her crowning ceremony in beautiful Otuam, she discovers the dire reality: there's no running water, no doctor, and no high school, and many of the village elders are stealing the town's funds. To make matters worse, her uncle (the late king) sits in a morgue awaiting a proper funeral in the royal palace, which is in ruins. The longer she waits to bury him, the more she risks incurring the wrath of her ancestors. Peggy's first two years as king of Otuam unfold in a way that is stranger than fiction. In the end, a deeply traditional African town has been uplifted by the ambitions of its headstrong, decidedly modern female king. And in changing Otuam, Peggy is herself transformed, from an ordinary secretary to the heart and hope of her community.
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Took me long enough to finish, but I really enjoyed this memoir, an engrossing insider's look at Ghanaian culture. I learned so much about this part of West Africa, especially the experience of living in an animistic religious system.

The episodes and characters are slightly cartoonish and played up for comic effect - although part of this is simply the wackiness of life in a small fishing village. For the most part Bartels and her coauthor humanize the setting and characters, and the result is a book that feels personal, not saccharine or exotic.

I would definitely recommend the audio version, as reader J. Karen Thomas does a fantabulous job with the voice-acting.

A fun, satisfying read that gives life to a (willfully) misunderstood region of the world. ( )
  raschneid | Dec 19, 2023 |
This book came with an audiotape collection of other stories; I would not have selected it otherwise and thereby I would have missed a good tale. I assumed it was going to be about a white American enamoured of the chance to become royalty. The truth is far different. Peggy was born in Africa, though she works at an embassy in the US. Becoming a 'king' in Africa is not glamorous. In fact, the king is responsible for the welfare of her people, and she was hard pressed to meet the expected obligations. Because she was locally born, she was part of the culture and very aware of the watchful eye of the ancestors who would be very displeased and make life difficult if she did not follow protocol.
Although it took several years, she was able to use her knowledge of the way the world works to bring in some NGOs who provided a well and a school for her community.
A great lesson in life for any reader, read with an expresssively accented voice. ( )
  juniperSun | Aug 19, 2022 |
This book chronicles Peggilene Bartels' experience serving as a 'king' of her home village in Ghana, while also working as a secretary in the US. She learns of her ascension through a late-night phone call and soon discovers that her new role will provide both financial and personal challenges. Through the support of her communities in both the US and Africa, she prevails over corruption and sexism to improve the lives of the residents of Otuam.
It's beautifully written (if sometimes going into more detail on the family heritage and customs than might be truly necessary) and compelling. ( )
  tkatie217 | Mar 3, 2022 |
A well written account about a Ghanaian consulate secretary living win Washington D.C. who is invited to a small village in Ghana as it's next King. This should be prescribed as required reading in all B schools. The tact and skill that she employs to turn this impoverished village around, deal with rampant corruption and a host of other personal and community issues, make it one compelling read.
  danoomistmatiste | Jan 24, 2016 |
A well written account about a Ghanaian consulate secretary living win Washington D.C. who is invited to a small village in Ghana as it's next King. This should be prescribed as required reading in all B schools. The tact and skill that she employs to turn this impoverished village around, deal with rampant corruption and a host of other personal and community issues, make it one compelling read.
  kkhambadkone | Jan 17, 2016 |
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To my mother, Madam Mary E. Vormoah, who was my best friend and made me the woman I am today.

--PB
To the people of Otuam, and all the Otuams around the world, for their hope and joy in the face of poverty.

--EH
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Is the king dead?
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Biography & Autobiography. History. Nonfiction. HTML:The charming real-life fairy tale of an American secretary who discovers she has been chosen king of an impoverished fishing village on the west coast of Africa. King Peggy has the sweetness and quirkiness of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series and the hopeful sense of possibility of Half the Sky.
 
King Peggy chronicles the astonishing journey of an American secretary who suddenly finds herself king to a town of 7,000 souls on Ghana's central coast, half a world away. Upon arriving for her crowning ceremony in beautiful Otuam, she discovers the dire reality: there's no running water, no doctor, and no high school, and many of the village elders are stealing the town's funds. To make matters worse, her uncle (the late king) sits in a morgue awaiting a proper funeral in the royal palace, which is in ruins. The longer she waits to bury him, the more she risks incurring the wrath of her ancestors. Peggy's first two years as king of Otuam unfold in a way that is stranger than fiction. In the end, a deeply traditional African town has been uplifted by the ambitions of its headstrong, decidedly modern female king. And in changing Otuam, Peggy is herself transformed, from an ordinary secretary to the heart and hope of her community.

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