Book Review by Isaac Thok

Book review of “I AM MY MOTHER’S WILDEST DREAM”:

Nyajuok Tongyik Doluony is a mother of three phenomenal children. A retired Nurse from the Army, community leader, mentor, successful entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s rights.

This book is an eye-opening personal life story that you wouldn’t find on Google internet. I was hooked, captivated, motivated and inspired. I had to read this book for 11 hours straight (220 pages).

Nyajuok Tongyik Doluony, book had upended my world with truth and honesty. This book had unapologetically challenged our Nuer male dominated patriarchal society practices which are deliberately tilted toward Nuer men world views.

This book is quite stunning, a masterpiece that asks South Sudanese fathers to reflect on what they owe to daughters who enter into their lives.

As a Nuer man and father of daughters, this book had grounded me, challenged me, and made me question my Nuer fatherly believes and values. Why do we fathers have concerns about the dowries when our daughters get married instead of being more concerned about what life would be like for our daughters at the hands of other men?

I can’t imagine how challenging it might have been for her to tackle the voice of a patriarchal society! She bravely and fearlessly refused to listen to other voices, instead she followed her own.

The heart of this book is a portrait of a mother and a daughter. As a young woman Nyajuok survived and flourished after abuse, pain, betrayal, treachery and humiliation by men who were supposed to protect, celebrate and love you.

Nyajuok highlighted the sacrifices of her mother in two refugee camps. Her mother made sure that she (Nyajuok) and her siblings would have better lives. It's a quiet fascinating and authentic story that would make you emotional.

I Am My Mother's Wildest Dreams, is a nail-biter, provocative and intriguing, it's a must-read book by South Sudanese fathers in particular.

In the 21 century, we should not continue putting the price tags on our daughters, sisters and nieces. The pain that come with our cultural practices as Nuer people is evidently narrated on this young womans’ life story.

With an unapologetically realistic delivery packed with emotion. I have no doubt that this book will be met with resistance by some (possibly Nuer brothers) and slapped with a “controversial” label, but if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to walk in young Nuer woman shoes, then I feel like this is an unflinchingly honest place to start with.

Joy aches and pain chuckles in every chapter, and the entire book leaves you with the impression of silk, which is so nice because it was made by a living thing that had something on her mind to change the lives of the next generations.

Nyajuok Tongyik Doluony, you're incredible, champion, inspiring and role model to our daughters.

You're not just a daughter with a pretty face, sister, mother, friend, nurse and a U.S. Army Caption. You're a humble soul, who is trying her level best to make sure that this world is a better place for our daughters.

I take my hat off to Nyajuok Tongyik Doluony for writing this book.”

• Isaac Thok Moses