A FEW NIGHTS AND DAYS. By Mbella Sonne Dipoko

 

This book essentially focuses on a young African (Cameroonian) male student in Paris, and his startling liaisons with women. He is supposed to be in love with 19 year old French girl, Therese, but this does not stop him from sleeping with her best friend (Bibi) and also with a "home girl" - from Cameroon, a woman who treats her own real "fiance" with utter contempt!

Doumbe is a writer, or an aspiring writer as some would dub it ambiguously. At least, despite his patent shortcomings he can turn it on occasionally for the edification of hapless Therese, as we read:

"Therese you know you are a sprig of green leaves and flowers, eternal charm. You are more exquisite than art, more endearing than the most tender of dreams... you know that"

Doumbe accepts that he is something of a philanderer, though this in no way makes him feel bad or guilty:

"It was a pity that Therese’s father had refused to let her build her life with mine. I know I wouldn't have been faithful to her, even after marriage; but I would have made the effort". Tosh.

 But Doumbe apparently is peace loving, and not without a sense of humour as we intermittently see.

‘’She had a son Francois...who did not want to get married. He did not want women... such a decent boy, and she would add, 'he's 50 years you know!"

When Therese dies in the end, no matter what the narrator intends, there seems to be a shocking apathy and coldness on the part of Doumbe, and Bibi, the two people closest to Therese, and who have betrayed her again and again. Incredibly Bibi then chooses to announce that she is carrying Doumbe's child! ... real class.

Not that Doumbe worries much about anything... life will always go on for him... and of course he would continue to be something of a menace to the fairer sex...

Review by Eric B.