Congo: A Story in 26 Words by John Stedman

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed The Language Secret, I was eager to dive into Stedman’s latest work. He has an incredible way of drawing readers in, and before you know it, you’ve absorbed new knowledge without even realizing it. In this book, Stedman takes 26 simple words—from A to Z—and uses them as a lens to explore the deep meaning and cultural impact they hold in the Congo. Each word opens a window into the country’s rich history and diverse experiences. While I may never get the chance to visit the Congo, this book allowed me to ‘live’ there briefly, seeing beyond the surface to truly understand the land and its people.

This is a must-read for history buffs, amateur etymologists, or anyone who loves learning about different parts of the world!

SUMMARY

Congo. One name. One mighty river. Two countries. A combined surface area greater than that of the whole of Western Europe. 250 languages. Infinite complexity.

In the 2011 edition of the Human Development Index, the Republic of Congo was listed in 137th place. Its neighbour and near namesake, the Democratic Republic of Congo, was last of all: 187th, behind such bywords for chaos and conflict as Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen.

What is it like to live in these countries? How to make sense of their complex history, language, society and culture? This book attempts to do just that through the eyes of an English couple who were living in Congo at that time, using 26 words taken from the languages spoken there to examine the realities of life in places that rarely impinge on Western consciousness.

Memoir, sociological study, travelogue, meditation, paean of praise to the resilience and resourcefulness of the Congolese on both sides of the river. A Story of Congo in 26 Words is all those things and more: a detailed examination of themes as diverse as climate, colonialism, cuisine, culture, education, economy, ethnic makeup, family, fashion, infrastructure, music, natural resources, politics and racism.

A unique blend of anecdote and analysis, personal experience and lexicographical research, A Story of Congo in 26 Words is an indispensable guide to the two countries that take their name from one of the mightiest rivers on Earth.

This review was first published in jenniereads.com. We publish with their kind permission.