King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman. Long title! This book was a fascinating read. It is written very much in the style of Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. In fact when I first started the book, I thought, wow, these people are obviously ripping off his style. They do it perfectly though and it gives this story a sort of fairy tale gloss that is very appropriate. This is true story, however, which makes is all the better. Peggy was born and raised in Ghana, moved to the United States to work as a secretary at the Ghanaian Embassy in Washingto D.C. One early morning almost 30 years later, she gets a phone call saying she has been elected king of her ancestral village, Otuam. Each village has a king selected by the elders of the village who had advised the old king. They select the new king from the line of the royal family. Families are huge in Ghana with lots of uncles, aunts and many cousins. Peggy's uncle had been the last king. The Tsiami, or the village seer, goes through the names of those eligible and performing certain rites, finds out which family member the ancestors have chosen to be the new king. Peggy deliberates over whether to accept the crown or not and she winds up taking it. Thus the adventure begins.
I loved learning about Ghanian culture, about Peggy's life and personality, and all the characters that populate this story. Peggy has to fight some deep-seated corruption and overcome many obstacles. The story is really heart-warming and just fascinating. Peggy longs to bring clean drinking water, better roads, medical care and a high school to her village and the surrounding area. It costs a lot of money and heroic persistence to get her projects off to a start. You will just love her!
If you want to help Peggy bring basic necessities to her village of Otuam, you can donate here at her website.
I highly recommend this book! For more reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
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