A Joyful Life (Rosemary Kariuki with Summer Land, Hardie Grant Explore)

During the summer break, I had the pleasure of reading A Joyful Life by Rosemary Kariuki in one day. As a woman of colour who has experienced trauma, I was worried about how I would respond to another woman of colour’s experience. Yet, on every page, I was simply inspired by the story of Kariuki, a Kenyan woman who arrived alone in Australia in 1999. Throughout A Joyful Life, Kariuki channels her pain into empowerment: ‘When you have information, you have the power of choice … With independence, you can do almost anything you want. This could be going after a particular career, leaving an abusive relationship, or in my case, leaving a war-torn country to seek a safer life.’ The importance of information and choice for her fellow Black women and women of colour continues as Kariuki outlines her community work, such as the African Women’s Dinner Dance, which she founded 15 years ago, and the African Village Market, a program that assisted migrants and refugees to start their own businesses. Kariuki uses her survivor story of sexual abuse, rape and domestic violence to highlight how marginalised women can heal and cultivate lives of hope and gratitude. With her parting advice to readers, Kariuki’s autobiography transcends the genre, becoming a practical and personal guide on finding joy in adversity: ‘When in doubt—pray, meditate, journal or simply talk to your higher self … First, start with gratitude … Second, ask for the things you need … Third, look for the miracles.’

Books+Publishing reviewer: Rayann Bekdache is a former journalist and sub-editor who has written for outlets such as SBS Voices and the Sydney Morning Herald. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews