MY FATHER'S DAUGHTER. By Mabel Segun

'Biographies - make that autobiographies - of eminent Africans can be tantalising. Such memorable works include those written by Nelson Mandela, Wole Soyinka, Es'kia Mphahlele, Wellesley Cole, Mamphela Ramphele and Ngugi Wa Thiong'o. The only woman mentioned here, Ramphele perhaps illustrates the fact that such works involving women are thin on the ground - especially in Africa. This particular book, My Father's Daughter was written long ago by one of Africa's early illustrious female writers. She would, as a young woman study with the likes of Chinua Achebe, at the university. Somehow this book of hers became categorised as a book for the young, though it is much more than this, despite the fact that the protagonist is a girl. She is a perceptive, perspicacious girl, rather privileged, considering the time and society. This was many many decades ago in Africa when the marvels of electricity could not even have been dreamed of. But the girl here, daughter of a parson is comfortable, inculcated with both religious and (western) education tutelage - from an early age. The protagonist is intelligent and sensitive, and even at a very young age enterprising and innovative. Yet the picture here is essentially of sedate life which alas later morphs into trenchant tragedy when her father dies! But the rudiments of a successful life has been put in place, the girl has learnt many lessons, including basic chores and responsibilities, and a penchant for education.'