“Silence perpetuates abuse.” It’s rather cliché but has and will continue to ring true.
Budding Zimbabwean writer Amanda Tayte-Tait Marufu’s new book ‘At What Age Does My Belong To Me?’ seeks to address this social problem.
The book tells of harrowing personal experiences of abuse and the attendant traumas. But it has a more positive outlook.
“The vision around ths book was to create something that ignites people to speak out, to start conversations. I’m hoping that people don’t just read it, but they talk about it with their friends, that they gain something from it,” Amanda told Inside Business.
“Because for a very long time abuse has been happening but nothing has been done about it. We don’t talk about it enough; it’s been swept under the rug. And that’s been my motivation.”
Amanda gives us an insight into her new piece:
“At What Age Does My Belong To Me? This is the question I dissect in the book. From a lens of a patriachial society and featuring a lot of personal stories.
“The book is in two parts, the first being a suicide letter and the second detailing life after suicide I seek to walk through sexual abuse, mental health, sexuality and more. Weaving from a personal diary feel into cold hard facts and statistics,” she said.
The book comes with a free book companion featuring stories and resources from other authors across Africa from South Africa to Nigeria namely: Takunda A Chimutashu (ZenTheMaster) who was also the editor, Carol T Marufu, Munira Maria Makarow, Mpho Mashego aka Zawadi, Mary K, Lolo Cynthia, Nobuhle N Nyoni, Prince Rayanne Chidzvondo, Imungu Kalevera and Dr Nyarai Paweni that are aimed at healing, learning about forgiveness, mental health and self love.
Early readers of the book had this to say:
“In this haunting memoir “At What Age Does My Body Belong To Me”, endlessly talented filmmaker, producer, author, and blogger Amanda Tayte-Tait Marufu characterises the oppression (and triumphs) of women, the horrors of physical and sexual abuse, and the ongoing struggle to surmount the triple jeopardy of sexism, mental health stigmatisation and prejudication, as well as queerphobia, which is why it must become a quintessential novel for young people.” – Chris
#enthuse You can find the full book review here: https://bit.ly/2M4neak
“Amanda! Wow, I cried this Is powerful so beautiful, and brilliant! I love how you can make us laugh in the midst of this. “you are not Bob the builder ” I could relate, and even found out something about my past self by reading! Thank you so much and bravo Amanda this is a much-needed healing book. I am sure many will benefit from it myself included.” – Muriel
“Fuck the patriarchy indeed. That was liberating, thrilling… Idk man, it was DOPE!
And the part where you talk about… I want to say Rae?… But that awesome woman, I could practically see her.
People like that exist?!!! Living embodiments of the primal aspects of life. Myths… Legends. I want to be like her. And the conclusion, pairing it with a contrast to the start.
Once powerless, now willing to bite the hand of the “good natured” asshole.
YES! the “i know…can i kiss you” CHILLS! you gave me a crush on someone i never met.” – Zen The Master
“It was important for me to tell this story because we live in a world that’s always willing to stay silent and yet abuse doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We all see it, feel it and experience it at varying degrees and it’s important that we stop saying silent and instead speak out and begin creating the change. Loud, proud and out in the open,” concludes the talented writer.
Where to find the book:
Paperback:
E-Book: https://books2read.com/At-What-Age-Does-My-Body-Belong-To-Me
BONUS: Free Copy of Book 2: https://books2read.com/u/3GA60d
Download the PDF: https://payhip.com/AmandaTayteTait
For Harare Local Orders WhatsApp: +263775495676