A lyrical story of one girl's journey of understanding who she is and where she comes from. Makumbi writes with razor-sharp clarity a story tackling a variety of social issues whilst weaving through a gorgeous story of folklore and intrigue. The characters' voices are incredibly unique and leap off of the page.

Kirabo is a young girl growing up in a small Ugandan village with her grandparents when she starts first asking questions about the absence of her mother, as well as her own status as a good girl. As she gets to know the local village witch, Nsuuta, Kirabo learns what it means to have a wilder self inside of her and learns the history of Nsuuta and Kirabo's grandmother. As she grows older and moves away for school, Kirabo also comes into her own independence and beauty and must decide for herself where her future lies.

I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator did a beautiful job bringing the many Uganda folklore tales to life with her words, and in terms of a lyrical, lovely book to listen to, this was certainly the one. I will say I think it took me a while to understand where we were going at first because there was so much talk about Kirabo's 'second self' I couldn't help but wonder if this was going to go down some kind of magical realism route or stay strictly historical fiction.

I enjoyed the middle part of the book a lot as Kirabo grows a bit older and goes to the city to live with her father and his family, and onward to school where she is protected from the Uganda–Tanzania War that happens during this time.

The emphasis on what it means to be a woman in this book from a woman with sexual needs and looks that can bring men to her feet but also as a sister, daughter and friend is explored thoroughly and we see that Kirabo also has a slightly unusual upbringing in many ways as her father and grandfather are very proud to educate her fully and want her to succeed in a third-level education and career rather than becoming a homemaker. I loved Kirabo's relationship with her grandfather which was very sweet.

There were some elements to the story that felt a bit unfinished or not explored enough for me - Kirabo's feelings about her absentee mother is something that is very big at the start, disappears in the middle and comes back in a not so nice way at the end and the way this all worked out was kind of sad to read. I think there were strong themes in this book and I loved learning more about Ugandan culture, history and politics but there were parts of Kirabo's story that I just wanted more on - her friendships and school life more so than her relationship with a local boy for example.

I did like the author's way of writing though, and I think I will eventually read her other book which I think is a kind of companion novel to this one (or vice versa).

This is a story of an Ugandan girls coming of age.
I loved the themes that the book explores like relationships and privilege
It is a fascinating story with some amazing characters.

"The First Woman" by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi is an engaging and immersive novel that follows the life of Kirabo in Uganda. Makumbi weaves together folklore and family drama in a captivating way, making you feel like you're right there with the characters. It's a powerful exploration of identity and womanhood that's both emotional and thought-provoking. A must-read that left me deeply touched and grateful for the experience.

Here is a book that will open your eyes. Wonderfully written. I found this book incredibly interesting.
Thank you to both the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me the book

"A powerful feminist rendition of Ugandan origin tales, The First Woman tells the story of Kirabo, the equivalent of Eve in Ugandan mythology."

Smart, headstrong Kirabo is raised by her grandparents in rural Uganda. But as she enters her teens, she starts to feel overshadowed by the absence of the mother she has never known. The First Woman explores heavy themes like feminism, sexism, womanhood, marriage, motherhood, family, loss, friendships & Ugandan culture and history and is filled with beautiful prose and dialogues (that did need a bit of getting used to but it is needed for the full effect of the story).
I enjoyed The First Woman, but there was a lot of it that confused me and I did struggle to sit through it. I could put it down and come back to it days later and not have missed reading it. There are some really important themes that are brought to life and done so very well. I love how Kirabo is such a strong, level headed girl and knows what she wants but there are places where her journey confused me.
For one, I was expecting more of a supernatural vibe as there was a part about her ‘floating’ above her fellow students and some witchcraft. I loved this element of the story but it never went anywhere which was a shame as I thought it may have been something new to learn about Ugandan culture. The family ties however were a big positive and I liked seeing how she grew up and learnt more about her identity and her family.
That being said, I did find it hard to follow the flow of the story and like I said, I did struggle in places to keep with it. There are many characters with similar names that also threw me off sometimes, having to try and remember who was who and who they were to Kirabo. If it had all been a bit tighter and fleshed out some of the themes that seem to lack slightly then it would have been better for me, but I did enjoy reading about the culture at the time and watching Kirabo grow up into a strong young female.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A coming of age story, combining Ugandan folklore and modern feminism, that takes us on Kirabo’s journey of self-discovery in a community and country that works very hard to silence her.
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This read was very much influenced by bookstagram and I was even more drawn to this book as I had never read a book by a Ugandan author. It did not disappoint and now I need to pick up ‘Kintu’ and ‘Manchester Happened’ to feel complete.

If I am honest, the beginning was slightly confusing but as this story progressed and the characters were fleshed out I found myself captivated by this story, Kirabo, all the women that surrounded her and life in Uganda. This book was more about the struggles and complexities of womanhood, as opposed to the storyline that I was expecting - it was such a deep exploration of being a female in Uganda set in the background of the war in Uganda and I loved it!

Kirabo was such a complex character - I loved how strong-willed she was but at times I found her a bit mean … but I also liked her … so I wonder what that says about me. I also found myself battling my feelings on Kirabo, Sio and Gibwa - what a betrayal! Whilst I felt like her friend was well deserving of the insults, the dynamic of that friendship was an interesting and difficult one - one very characteristic of the relationships between the women in this story.

I have to say, my favourite storyline was not Kirabo’s but actually Muka Miiro and Nsuuta’s - that was one that I didn't see coming and unlike anything I have ever heard of. Nsuuta was my favourite character and way more influential in Kirabo’s life than I expected. I actually felt that the second part of the book (When the Villages were Young onwards), where we got to read more about these women was a lot more interesting than the first.

In many ways, Kirabo reminded me of Adunni and I reckon people that enjoyed The Girl with the Louding Voice would enjoy this book. Anyone else agree?

This book is said to be the companion to Kintu and if this is anything to go by, I am in for a treat!

Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi is a treasure. The First Woman uses Ugandan folklore to tell a coming of age story which centres women and what feminism means in the African context. It’s a tale that demonstrates that feminism has always existed in Africa, as well as uplifts women to show that resistance to patriarchy can be in a myriad of ways, despite outsider looking in perception. The language is rich and the story is detailed and layered. It’s incredible storytelling deserving of the time it takes to immerse yourself in the story.

Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi has done it again!

This is a beautiful exploration of gender, class, and what feminism looks like in an African context over generations of women in the same family.

Great for folks who enjoy coming of age novels.

This book was absolutely amazing. An outstanding coming of age tale that will stay with me for a very long time!

The First Woman tells the story of Kirabo, a smart and headstrong 11-year-old, raised by her grandparents in rural Uganda. It tells the story of her search for her mother, her discovery of what it means to be a woman throughout history, and the implications of her future.

I absolutely adored this book. The writing was spectacular, but the character development was on a whole other level. Kirabo has become one of my favorite literary characters as she was so smart, feisty, and not afraid to challenge societal norms. Her inquisitive nature reminded me a lot of myself and I loved following her on her journey of discovering herself as a young woman. Despite the serious nature of the topics, the author's writing still across as witty, making this very readable! Their sense of humour matches my own, which made me love this book even more. I think the highlight of the read for me had to be the manner in which some of the feminist themes were tackled. They made me feel an array of emotions, but I feel that they were all handled with care.

I can safely say this will definitely be one of my favourite books of 2021. If you're looking for an inter-generational tale that will educate you whilst you read, then look no further. HIGHLY recommend!!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

As usual, Makumbi does it again. I wish this book could be studied in schools. Especially African schools, so that women and girls can know that feminism didn't originate from the West. Our mothers have been fighting and are still fighting.

The writing is impeccable 👌🏾

"Smart, headstrong Kirabo is raised by her grandparents in rural Uganda. But as she enters her teens, she starts to feel overshadowed by the absence of the mother she has never known.

At once epic and deeply personal, The First Woman is the bold and piercing story of one young girl’s discovery of what it means to be a woman in a family, a community and a country that seem determined to silence her. Steeped in the rich folklore of Uganda but with an eye firmly on the future, Jennifer Makumbi has written a sweeping, effervescent tale of longing, femininity, and courage."

As I come to the end of the year and catch up on the fantastic books I have read, this one stands out - a real gem to behold.

This beautiful coming of age story follows the life of Kirabo, from her teenage years in 1970s Uganda, onwards.
It's the story of a woman living in a patriarchal society, and of her trying to find her identity and position in society.
I adored this novel, and felt really connected with the character, thanks to the wonderful writing of the author.
This is my first book by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, but it won't be my last.

The ultimate feminist read.
Taking place in 1970's Uganda we meet Kirabo. A young, strong female protagonist who I fell lin love with. I loved her determination and independence, she is an icon.
I learnt so much about Ugandan history and culture, it was so well written I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Normally when religion is brought into a piece of historical fiction I zone out a bit but Makumbi did an amazing job of showing how religion was used to colonize Uganada.

A really beautiful and important book that I'm recomending to everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't give out 5 star ratings often, but I knew from the moment I started this it was was going to be great! And it didn't disappoint. This is one of the most empowering book I have read in a long time. The range and depth of the female characters was truly inspired. Part saga, part coming-of-age story, part historical fiction, part feminist manifesto Wholly Brilliant! I can't believe this is the first thing I've read by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. It certainly won't be the last.

Thank you, Netgalley and OneWorld Publications for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The First Woman is my first book from the Ugandan novelist Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. Her first novel is very well received. When I read the synopsis of the book, I was intrigued. The novel tells the story of a young girl Kirabo raised by her grandparents in a rural village in Uganda. Her father is only an occasional visitor, while there is no news about her mother. As she starts to grow up, she feels the absence of her mother and is on a quest to find out more about her. She searches out Nsuuta, the village witch, to learn more about herself and her mom. Nsuuta tells her the story of women and how society tries to silence them using mythology and other tales. The First Woman is rooted in Ugandan mythology, and it paints a feministic account of what it means to be a woman in modern society and their power in the patriarchal community.

The book was brilliant with lots of quotes that will make you think about women and their value in modern society. The story is a valuable lesson in what it means to be a woman in today's world and how they need to survive in a patriarchal society that is determined to silence them. The story is also quite intimate, taking us through the lives of the female characters as they navigate the reality in front of them. It is a bold portrayal of the strength of different kinds of women, each with their principles held high. What one woman might think of as being submissive and powerless is that woman's form of resistance against the injustices happening to her and her family. The showcasing of passion and strength to protect one's family is varies from woman to woman, but their goal remains the same. The knowledge imparted by the lives of the women and their actions is incredibly thought-provoking. Every time I read through the pearls of wisdom revealed in the novel, I had to stop and think about the brilliance of it and how beautifully and smartly the author delivered them.

The book was brilliant with lots of quotes that will make you think about women and their value in modern society. The story is a valuable lesson in what it means to be a woman in today's world and how they need to survive in a patriarchal society that is determined to silence them. The story is also quite intimate, taking us through the lives of the female characters as they navigate the reality in front of them. It is a bold portrayal of the strength of different kinds of women, each with their principles held high. What one woman might think of as being submissive and powerless is that woman's form of resistance against the injustices happening to her and her family. The showcasing of passion and strength to protect one's family is varies from woman to woman, but their goal remains the same. The knowledge imparted by the lives of the women and their actions is incredibly thought-provoking. Every time I read through the pearls of wisdom revealed in the novel, I had to stop and think about the brilliance of it and how beautifully and smartly the author delivered them.

The characters were fascinating and wonderful to explore. The character study this book provided is amazing. The pacing is slow, and it takes some time to round out all the details and bring together the story. Even though it is slow-paced, it still creates interest in the reader.

Overall I had an amazing time reading this book. The novel is an incredibly honest and intimate look at Ugandan women, their position in society, and how each generation resists in their own way towards the oppressive patriarchal system. The characters were splendid and were a delight to study. I loved the depiction of the culture and the insight it provided to the readers. I also believe this is a book that is bound to make people think and discuss more. Jennifer will be an author on my watch-list, and I hope to get to her first book soon. My rating for the book is 4.5 stars, and I highly recommend checking this novel out. If you love reading slow-paced character studies, then you need to pick this book up.

At once a coming of age tale of modern feminism and an epic sweeping tale wrapped in mythology and folklore, The First Woman is so many things all at once. Through no fault of the book's, I found parts of it difficult to access because of my own ignorance, but for that I'm grateful as I felt I learned from the book socially and politically, as well as reading an entrancing novel.

Growing up in a small Ugandan village in the seventies, Kirabo's world is far removed from modern 'western' life. Her father, Tom, and Aunt Abi visit from the city but life at home in Nattetta is still strongly traditional, following a way of life that has remained largely unchanged. Tribal hierarchies are still firmly in place, with men in charge as the owners of the land and animals which represent wealth, but the women still tell stories, passed through the generations from mother to daughter, of when they were as powerful, if not more so, than men. Kirabo wants more from life than her village can offer, and when her father sends her to boarding school she looks well on the way to achieving it, but two things still unsettle her - the identity of her unknown mother, and her love for a village boy, Sio.
The First Woman is a coming of age tale with strong themes of women's friendship and independence. It's one of those titles that you start out assuming it refers to the heroine, Kirabo, but could equally belong to others - the Ugandan version of Eve in the creation myth, Kirabo's mother (as the mother of Tom's first child), Nsuuta the first love of Kirabo's grandfather, or the country's first female president ( a role Nsuuta believes Kirabo could achieve). As the titled is multi-layered, so is the story itself.

The story centres on Kirabo, on one girl finding her own way to adulthood, and understanding her place in the world by discovering both her past through her mother's identity, and that of her family through the friendship and rivalry of grandmother Alikisa and the 'witch' Nsuuta. On the side though I learned a lot about Ugandan history - from the influence of missionaries, Idi Amin's dictatorship and the war which ended it, to its culture and traditional way of life, and the conflict, at both a personal and wider level, between that culture and the new 'modern society' of the cities.

I hadn't heard of Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi before I caught her event at this year's online Edinburgh Book Festival. Hearing her talk about and read from The First Woman, I decided to track it down and explore more by this author billed by the festival as 'Uganda's First Woman of Fiction'. I'm really glad I did.

Powerful and insightful

Kirabo’ is a girl growing up in Uganda. She was abandoned by her mother and she is affected by this of course. Her family can't understand why but she wants to find out more about her. Kirabo is a strong character and we see her want to obey her family but also follow her heart.

There's lots to love in this book as we learn about Uganda and the story of Kirabo who is lots of women rolled into one character. Add in some folklore, local magic and emotional upheaval and you have one good book,

I love Makumbi's writing. This is not my first book from her and I was never disappointed. This is the story of an extraordinary woman. It's very inspiring, emotional, very well written. Gret characterization. I'm very impressed.

Definitely recommended. Thanks a lot to NG nad the publisher for this copy.