Uchechi: The Triumph of Love

Chukwudi Eze
AuthorHouse (2011)
ISBN 9781456749453
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (5/11)

 

Growing up in a rural village of a culture that values honesty, integrity and hard work, Uchechi is excited when he wins a scholarship to go to a university in another country.  Looking forward to the opportunity to gain an education and meet new people, Uchechi is somewhat disappointed the first time that he experiences prejudice from a classmate.  This classmate’s name is Annarossa, and she was raised by a family that taught her that people from outside of her culture are not as intelligent or worthy as she is. 

Initially, she is very unfriendly and competitive with Uchechi. Even though this disappoints him and makes him feel down, he uses her competitiveness to strive to do better.  This teaches Annarossa that perhaps her family is not correct in their beliefs.  As she begins to develop a relationship with Uchechi, she learns a great deal about his values and beliefs.  She discovers that he is a man of great character and he comes from a family of people who have integrity.
           
When they begin to get very serious about each other, Annarossa’s family does everything in their power to intervene.  Determined not to lose Annarossa, Uchechi reaches deep inside himself for the strength and fortitude to hang on to her, and to continue to act with integrity.  Annarossa has to come to terms with the prejudices against other cultures that she was raised with, and what she has learned from her own experiences, especially in her relationship with Uchechi. 

“Uchechi” is a beautifully written love story that contains many lessons for people who are trying to understand prejudice.  This includes both those who are raised with it, and those who are victims of it.  The main character Uchechi teaches his readers that no matter how one is mistreated by others, especially for reasons that are false, they must hang on to their integrity, and not stoop to the level of these people. 
           
Even though the story is written with simplicity, the issues discussed are complex.  By leaving out the names of the races and the countries that are involved, I felt that the author made this story one that could be read and understood universally.  It is also written for readers of all ages.  I really think “Uchechi: The Triumph of Love” would make excellent reading material for classes that discuss cultural issues. 

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