Reviewing AJ Walkley’s Novel “Vuto”

When Women Writers, Women Books contributor AJ Walkley asked if I would be interested in reviewing her novel Vuto, I jumped at the opportunity. After working with her on a guest post, I had already gained an interest in the novel – and this interest was well warranted.

In short chapters that alternate between the point of view of Samantha, a compassionate American Peace Corps’ health volunteer, and Vuto, a rebellious Malawian mother of three deceased children at the age of 17, Vuto tells a story of connection – the connection between mother and child, the connection between women, and the connection between human beings. After the death of her third child, Vuto is pushed into the ultimate act of rebellion when she forces her husband, an elder of the fictional Thonje tribe in Malawi, to recognize the existence of his now-deceased daughter, a practice unheard of in the culture.

“… and, for the first time since my wedding, I looked Solomon straight in the eye until he looked back.” (13)

This act is scorned by many, and as a result of her rebellion, Vuto is attacked by her husband in the night. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for Vuto, Samantha has picked this night to speak with Vuto. Having seen the misery in the woman’s eyes earlier, Samantha approached Vuto to share her sympathy. When Vuto’s husband attacks, Samantha’s immediate response is to act – she stabs Vuto’s husband with a knife, and kills him.

The twists and turns that follow give us insight into the minds of Samantha and Vuto, practically opposites in experiences, points of view, and thought processes.

Emotions are palpable throughout the novel. Samantha’s voice is one of the most realistic I’ve ever read, and is the answer to “what would a white American woman do if she ended up on the run in Malawi?”

One of the highest points of this novel is the introspection. Walkley is good at realizing the importance of recognizing outsider versus insider perspective. It can be all too easy to judge a supposed-third world country, and Samantha is aware of this. She often questions her own judgments, making her relatable and a reliable narrator.

“Was I wrong to believe Vuto was right when her culture and her people disagreed? Who was I to insert myself into the situation at all?” (22-23)

The focus on the female connection makes this novel one worthy of review on Women Writers, Women Books. Throughout the novel, there is an undercurrent of an innate bond between women. Vuto explores the female experience of not being protected within society. The side-story of a peace corps volunteer who is raped and tossed aside is explored, showing that it is not only Third World countries that ignore their duties to their women. 

“In Malawi, men kill. In Africa, men kill. In this world, men kill. In this world, women give life.” (70)

There is also an underlying critique of continued colonialism. Villagers are named after American fast food restaurants, and the pushing of white religion onto Malawians is discussed. These small details are what add beauty to this novel. It is a story of two women, but it is also the story of two worlds, the American world and the Malawian world, and what happens when the two are forced to merge.

Morals are questioned as more opinions are added to the novel. We meet Ali, who believes that murder is murder, and thus believes that Samantha should be punished for her crime. Is killing ever the answer? Or should we always respond with nonviolence, even when faced with violence?

Furthermore, the novel asks: when do we let go of the rules placed upon us and go with what feels right? What would you do if you were faced with such a situation? Walkley encourages us to ask ourselves these troubling questions and to wonder, what does it mean to do the right thing?

What choices do we have? Samantha questions her choices and what they mean as her story continues and gets more and more complicated because of those choices. By the end of the novel, we see Samantha wondering what the value of choice really is. Is it better to be protected, and not make a choice at all? Or is it better to act with honesty and put yourself at risk?

For more information about the novel, check it out on GoodReads.

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Rachel C. Lewis wrote this during her Editorial Internship for Women Writers, Women Books. She is an English major at Elon University in North Carolina and interned for about six months virtually, making a rich contribution not only to Women Writers, Women Books, but also the new journal, When Women Waken.

Tags: AJ Walkley, review, Vuto

Category: Book Reviews