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On a Woman's Madness
by Astrid H. Roemer
BOOK #10 “ON A WOMAN’S MADNESS” BY ASTRID ROEMER,TRANSLATED FROM DUTCH BY LUCY SCOTT, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025
Astrid Roemer’s On a Woman’s Madness tells the story of Noenka, a bold, independent woman from Suriname who refuses to conform to societal expectations. Her name, meaning “never ever,” is fitting—within nine days of her marriage, she leaves her abusive husband and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She moves to Paramaribo, the capital, where she embraces a new life, first falling in love with a man named Ramses and later with a white woman, Gabrielle.
This novel is a challenging read, both in structure and theme. Fragmented and nonlinear, it explores difficult topics such as rape, domestic violence, societal oppression, and emotional trauma. Roemer’s prose, rich with symbolism and poetic flourishes, evokes the spirit of The Colour Purple by Alice Walker. While the two books differ in style, parallels can be drawn between Celie and Nettie’s relationship in The Colour Purple and Noenka and Gabrielle’s bond. Both women in Roemer’s novel are married to men, yet their lives take unexpected turns.
The narrative is haunting, often unsettling, and carries a deep sense of restlessness. Noenka, though silent at times, is unwavering in her determination to defy patriarchal norms and carve her own path. Despite enduring both physical and emotional abuse, she refuses to succumb to societal pressures. Her love for orchids and nature offers brief moments of serenity amidst the turmoil, and her relationship with her mother—both tender and strained—adds to the novel’s emotional complexity.
This is an intense and deeply affecting work of queer literature. Roemer masterfully captures the emotional depth of her characters while weaving rich imagery and poignant themes throughout the narrative. The translation by Lucy Scott does justice to the original, bringing to life a novel that was first published in Dutch in 1982 and only recently translated in 2024.
A brilliant novel, On a Woman’s Madness is a powerful and necessary read. I sincerely hope it makes it to the shortlist!
Astrid Roemer’s On a Woman’s Madness tells the story of Noenka, a bold, independent woman from Suriname who refuses to conform to societal expectations. Her name, meaning “never ever,” is fitting—within nine days of her marriage, she leaves her abusive husband and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She moves to Paramaribo, the capital, where she embraces a new life, first falling in love with a man named Ramses and later with a white woman, Gabrielle.
This novel is a challenging read, both in structure and theme. Fragmented and nonlinear, it explores difficult topics such as rape, domestic violence, societal oppression, and emotional trauma. Roemer’s prose, rich with symbolism and poetic flourishes, evokes the spirit of The Colour Purple by Alice Walker. While the two books differ in style, parallels can be drawn between Celie and Nettie’s relationship in The Colour Purple and Noenka and Gabrielle’s bond. Both women in Roemer’s novel are married to men, yet their lives take unexpected turns.
The narrative is haunting, often unsettling, and carries a deep sense of restlessness. Noenka, though silent at times, is unwavering in her determination to defy patriarchal norms and carve her own path. Despite enduring both physical and emotional abuse, she refuses to succumb to societal pressures. Her love for orchids and nature offers brief moments of serenity amidst the turmoil, and her relationship with her mother—both tender and strained—adds to the novel’s emotional complexity.
This is an intense and deeply affecting work of queer literature. Roemer masterfully captures the emotional depth of her characters while weaving rich imagery and poignant themes throughout the narrative. The translation by Lucy Scott does justice to the original, bringing to life a novel that was first published in Dutch in 1982 and only recently translated in 2024.
A brilliant novel, On a Woman’s Madness is a powerful and necessary read. I sincerely hope it makes it to the shortlist!