By Chisomo Phiri

‘What Kind of Girl?’ a debut memoir published by a Malawian author based United States of America, Caroline Kautsire, in 2020 is still receiving positive feedbacks from many readers across the world.

What Kind of Girl? is a sweeping coming of age story about a girl in Malawi who must tangle with the gender restrictions, religious institutions, American cultural attitudes, and African traditions that seek to define who she can be as a woman.

It is also a tale of how one girl’s story in a distant country in Africa can become all of our stories. The book illustrates how people struggle to fit into cultural normals.

When asked what motivated her to write the book, Kautsire said:”I was 27 and my experience around Malawians made me realize I needed to come to terms with my identity and to help others figure out their own identities, too.”

She said the book is still available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Austin Macauley Publishers Website for purchase.

What people say about the book

Pınar Ündemir:”A beautifully written memoir, flawlessly fluid, and relatable. Caroline Kautsire takes you on her adventures, fighting social constructs, traditions and boys. A page-turner, that is engaging and entertaining.

“A story young men and women should read, as they are not alone in their struggles to fit in.

“Caroline writes in a way that can touch all readers, a gift that is admirable.”

Evjo Gjura:”I had such a pleasant time reading What Kind of Girl?. Caroline writes so effortlessly and her story reads like water- very fluid. A story about a young child growing up in two worlds in every which way, culturally, religiously and her battles between the masculine and feminine ideals of society.”

About the Author

Caroline Kautsire is originally from Malawi, Africa, and is currently an English literature and writing professor at Bunker Hill Community College and Bay State College in Boston.

Apart from an author, Caroline is also a stage actress and director. She was once nominated for best-supporting actress by the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres for her performance as Trinculo in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Caroline also teaches public speaking and has given several inspirational talks at colleges in Boston.