This is an okay memoir-ish account of journalist Searcey relocating to Western African countries as reporter with her family and how she viewed the places and people.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

This is a wonderful memoir about a news correspondent who moved to West Africa with her family. This is during the time of Boko Haram. I found this a very interesting memoir. We are told about life in West Africa and how it was for her family. I would recommend this book to fans of memoirs.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

What a fantastic story! I currently live in West Africa for work, and I could really identify and understand some of the cultural things discussed in this memoir.

Searcy writes of the two plus years she spent as NYT Bureau Chief in West Africa . An interesting look at the workings of the paper and the prestige of landing on the front page while attempting to meet family demands. An in depth look at women abducted by Boko Haram who became wives or failed suicide bombers. An intense look at the reign of terror of Boko Haram and militants. Finding a feminist vein running through the women in an unexpected place. Leaves a lot to think about.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

When I wished for this book on NetGalley, I had no idea that when it came time to read it, we'd be in the middle of a huge, deadly pandemic. This time of uncertainty and sickness and grief is just so overwhelming and then add a serious book about West Africa on top of it and I will tell you, I felt very overwhelmed [hence this book being reviewed PAST the publishing date].

And then I started reading it and reading about the journey to West Africa [uprooting your family and moving halfway across the world is really daunting, no matter who you are] and then about the author's work reporting on Boko Haram and the women that escaped was both riveting and daunting. There were some chapters that left me practically breathless from the intensity of what she was learning and what these girls and women have gone through and continue to go through. And I started to realize, that what we are dealing with here - with the Covid-19 pandemic is what these people in West Africa [they are still recovering from the deadly outbreak of Ebola [that ended in 2016 but continues to have repercussions all over West Africa] deal with on an almost daily basis, on top of suicide bombers, corrupt governments, Boko Haram and a military that is truly not much better than the terrorists [especially when it comes to the girls they rescue and are supposed to protect]. It is difficult to wrap your head around just some of the things the author heard and saw. And it is almost all heartbreaking. And we ALL should be reading it. Because what is happening there, could happen here. We need to learn from these things and make sure that it doesn't happen here. And we need to strive to educate people. We must learn from others. We must.

I am grateful to NetGalley and to Random House Publishing Group/Ballentine for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

These tales from an intrepid reporter's sojourn in West Africa offer much to educate, inform, and awaken human interest in the incredible suffering and courageous acts that take place in the region. The glimpse behind the scenes of a reporter's work is interesting, but the portions about Searcey's personal life were at times uncomfortable to read. With her high-powered career and an urge to save the world, it often seemed that her family was of relatively minor importance -- her husband and children were ciphers to me, far less vivid than the people of her stories and even some of her coworkers. As an issue of balance, I could suggest that this thread should either have been given more space to develop, or left out entirely. Aside from that, I am grateful to have learned about some amazing people, and for Searcey's earnest efforts to bring their stories to the world.

This was a very interesting memoir about a journalist from the New York Times who moves her family to West Africa. You get to learn about how different life is there and how her family deals with the changes. The author writes about her marriage and family struggles within Dakkar while she is writing stories about a number of things going on there. This was definitely an interesting memoir and I am so glad I had the chance to read it.

This book is so empowering to working moms, as well as any woman. Seeing all the stories of the strong women and what is happening in the world puts things in perspective and makes you see the world in a new way. This book was so powerful!

In Pursuit of Disobedient Women is a fascinating account by journalist Dionne Searcy. In an effort to shake up her career, Dionne accepted the position as head of the news bureau for West Africa for the New York Times. It was quite the adjustment for her children and husband, who endured his own career struggles. Much of the book is an account of the stories she pursued, intermixed with snippets of her family situation. There were hair raising events that would make a person with less stamina blanch. It was a growing experience for the entire family and an excellent read.

Read if you: Are drawn to unusual memoirs.

I'm of two minds concerning this book. When Dionne Searcey focused on life in Senegal and the West Africa region in general, particularly those affected by Boko Haram, I was fascinated, engrossed, and moved. If there had been more of that, and less about her marital and parenting struggles, I would have given this a stronger review. However--showing the impact it had on her marriage and parenting was an important part of her story, even if it was somewhat jarring and very privileged in comparison with the work she was doing (which she does recognize).

Many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review

An intriguing memoir of a New York Times journalist who moves to Dakar with her family to take on the role of West Africa Bureau Chief. While pursuing her career, she must also juggle her children's lives and deal with a stay-at-home husband who is not always happy with his lifestyle or of putting his own career on hold.

Searcey shares the ups and downs of her marriage and her family life while traveling often in order to find the stories she is most passionate about. She researches and writes about the Chibok girls who were abducted by Boko Haram, girls held captive and forced to become suicide bombers, and the women and girls who lived in the migrant camps that were often raped and abused by men in the military. Despite concerns for her family and for her own safety, she went to great lengths to report on the lives of the women in West Africa.

In Pursuit of Disobedient Women takes readers on Searcey's journeys as she delves into the hardships that the women of West Africa endure. The book is also an honest account of the challenges that exist while living and working overseas.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher