Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Dr. Kosi J. Avotri and Nella P. Avotri, authors of Child of Polygamy.

 Good day Dr. and Mrs. Avotri and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.

 Dr. and Mrs. Avotri: We are delighted and honored to participate.

Norm:

Why did you feel compelled to write this book and how did you get the inspiration for this book?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:    

 We have the impression, (right or wrong), that people outside Africa do not know much about Africans, and do not have many books written by Africans, from which to obtain authentic information. We think our book will provide some of that information in an entertaining manner.

Norm:

The book reads more like a biography than a novel.  Was that your intention? Why did you make that choice?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:

The short answer is yes. The information in the book can be provided in a textbook, but that will limit its use only to “students”. A biography may work, but we felt that a biography of an unknown African girl will not fare well in a market where many famous people and celebrities have biographies circulating. Thirdly we do not want to offend any person who may feel treated unfairly. A novel gives us the freedom to provide information that is true but not totally accurate in its detail.

 Norm:

How much real-life did you put into the book? Is there much “you” in there?

 Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:

All of the “skeleton” of the book is real-life, though all the events did not occur exactly in the order presented in the book. Most of the events described were observed or experienced by one of us, but none of the characters represent us. 

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

 Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:

This is our first book and we had a lot of apprehension about writing it and exposing ourselves to public criticism for any deficiencies reviewers and the reading public may find. It took several years for us to decide that any criticism will be worthwhile if some people find the book informative and entertaining.

Norm:

Do you believe that polygamy should be abolished?

 Dr. and Mrs. Avotri: 

My wife’s answer is definitely yes, but I feel otherwise. I think polygamy is a social practice that is acceptable to some cultures and individuals but not to others. The practice is declining spontaneously because of changing economic realities. In societies that still practice it, polygamy (like adultery) should be discouraged but not criminalized by declaring it illegal.  

Norm:

What is the underlying message or theme of the book? What do you hope readers will carry away after reading your book?

 Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:

We hope that readers will recognize that Africans have reasons for doing what they do, even if they sound “primitive” to outsiders. Secondly, we hope that readers will see how traditional societies maintain social justice and peace without prisons and executions. Thirdly readers will appreciate that family life and problems are similar in both monogamous and polygamous families

Norm:

Did you have a hard time fleshing out characters initially?

 Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:

Not much. We were both raised in the society and know individuals who fit the characters we wrote about. However we did not include much physical description of the characters but concentrated on what they did and said.

Norm:

Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book?

 Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:

Since we personally observed or heard about events described we did not have to do much research beyond verifying dates and years.

 Norm:

You include some very detailed dialogues in the book. Where did that dialogue come from?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:

The dialogues represent our recollections of what people in the society we grew up in would typically say under the circumstances described.

 Norm:

Do you have anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri: 

There is more to say about Safia and her society. The people really live their religion, and the conflict between their traditional beliefs and Christian beliefs is an ongoing personal conflict for many people.