Review of Serwah-The Saga of an African Princess by Frances Ademola

SERWAH is Rita Akoto Coker’s first published novel. It is a simple love story set in Ashanti in the 18th Century. Serwah, the princess of Antoa and Prince Owusu of Bomah were betrothed when they were children, but fell madly in love when they finally met in their teens. True to the saying that “the path of true love never runs smooth” they had serious problems after their formal engagement, but love and wisdom won through, and they lived happily ever after. Rita Akoto Coker brings to the simple story many resources. Her considerable royal connection gives the novel an authentic voice. Knowing the courtesies, intrigues and traditions of a royal household, she guides her readers through the courts of Antoa and Bomah with confidence, inviting them to eavesdrop on royal meals. Her remarkable gift of character portrayal, combined with her narrative skill makes the story flow on with effortless ease, in good and fluent English. Added to these are her powers of observation and imagination. Owusu and Serwah are both strong-willed and though pining for each other, they do not speak to each other for a whole year, nor do they break their engagement. While Owusu allows himself to be seduced by the scheming Princess Pokuaa, and finds consolation with other women, Serwah resists the persistent overtures of Prince Appiah and finally sends him off with a flea in his ear for peddling rumours about Owusu. Serwah emerges the stronger of the two lovers. Rita Akoto describes her as “docile on the outside but she was as fierce in temperament as a mother tigress when angered….. Those who knew her could testify to this, she had learnt to balance compassion with wisdom, love with judgment and mercy with punishment”. The reconciliation of the lovers is presented with great tenderness and delicacy. Serwah makes the first move, a public and traditional one at the funeral of Owusu’s uncle, then later that evening we see the final and private reconciliation, and all Owusu could say in his mind over and over again is “This is home”. Other characters are also brought to life by Rita’s deft pen. Appiah and his scheming cousin Pokuaa are sufficiently devious and plausible, and other minor characters are creatures of flesh and blood, speaking in character and effectively communicating with the reader. There is cohesion in the communities presented to us of village life in 18th Century Ashanti. SERWAH would make a good film and should be captured on celluloid. There is a simple beauty and power in the writer’s unpretentious style. A touching love story from the past is just what is needed in these brittle days of politics and commerce, and we await a sequel to SERWAH. Rita Akoto Coker is a novelist with a great future and this first historical novel will give delight to many readers for a long time.