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hi_saac's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Child abuse, and Eating disorder
Minor: Miscarriage and Vomit
iarlais's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I was rather surprised when I reached the end of the novel - for I had completely forgotten it was the first part of a trilogy, and not a standalone story. Nevertheless, I'm going to try and review it as one.
This is a less action-packed book that others I've read about colonialism in Africa. That's fine, because this story requires no action to be told. Borrowing its title from Wretched of the Earth, this work of historical fiction delves deep into the psychological consequences of colonialism by showcasing how each character is affected by them. Because these consequences are so damaging and long-lasting, it's important not to judge the characters in this novel too much, for they're all suffering under an intense mental strain. This is one area in which Dangarembga excels. She makes sure that however you feel about each character in the novel, you can at least somewhat understand their perspective. Well, except for Jeremiah perhaps.
This book is a neat piece of intersectional reading, for it reminds the reader that to be black in a colonial state is one curse, but to be both black and female is worse entirely. In Rhodesia, Tambu, Netsai, Nyasha, Maiguru, Lucia, and Ma'Shingayi all have to bear with the white supremacy of the colonists, and the misogyny of the black men in their lives. They are all doubly oppressed, and Dangarembga shows the different ways of reacting to oppression by having each woman respond in their own way.
This novel also plays around with contrasts and subversion of expectations. Babamukuru, initally oh-so-different than the comically despicable Jeremiah, turns out to still be quite patriarchal and overbearing in his own way. He is styled as God by Tambu at multiple points throughout the novel, but this high status in her perspective is eroded by his own actions over time. At first, Maiguru seems to have escaped the systemic clutches that hold Ma'Shingayi down, but the novel over time reveals the truth that her life is not as free as it seems. The opening passage of the novel makes Tambu seem callous - and she is aware of this potential perception - but her apathy towards her brother's death is slowly justified.
One aspect of this novel that I find particularly powerful is the characters' arguments against colonial rule and education - because they're not all reasonable. When one character is yelling about white people's witchcraft, but then accurately assesses how this "education" will make the student lose themselves, you realise Dangarembga knows how to make her characters human. Not everyone has the most well-thought-out critique of oppressive institutions, but they can still hit upon the general correct area when they see the damage that's being done. I've seen many people who dropped out of school who can still succinctly criticize capitalism, so this element of the novel really resonated with me.
I do think the novel has one fatal flaw, however - Tambu. Tambu, similar to a few semi-autobiographical protagonists, feels fairly bland compared to her family, all of whom have a few personality traits to offer. Don't get me wrong, she has her motivations, but overall she feels like an observer character, one for the reader to peer through so they understand the novel's setting better. She's not unlike Nick Carraway in that regard. Once the section dealing with her brother's death passes, there's not much that helps her stand out as a person. It is however thanks to her narrative perspective that Nyasha has such a massive presence in the novel, a sure blessing with regard to how masterfully she summarises the complexities of a black Rhodesian girl's situation just by refusing to back down, even when she feels she maybe should.
I also do feel the novel can feel a bit dry sometimes, which is less owed to the story and more, I think, because of Tambu's lack of character. Nevertheless, I think this is a decent first novel that superbly analyses the devastating effects of colonialism on indigenous women, one that hosts a great ensemble of characters without ever feeling overambitious.
This is a less action-packed book that others I've read about colonialism in Africa. That's fine, because this story requires no action to be told. Borrowing its title from Wretched of the Earth, this work of historical fiction delves deep into the psychological consequences of colonialism by showcasing how each character is affected by them. Because these consequences are so damaging and long-lasting, it's important not to judge the characters in this novel too much, for they're all suffering under an intense mental strain. This is one area in which Dangarembga excels. She makes sure that however you feel about each character in the novel, you can at least somewhat understand their perspective. Well, except for Jeremiah perhaps.
This book is a neat piece of intersectional reading, for it reminds the reader that to be black in a colonial state is one curse, but to be both black and female is worse entirely. In Rhodesia, Tambu, Netsai, Nyasha, Maiguru, Lucia, and Ma'Shingayi all have to bear with the white supremacy of the colonists, and the misogyny of the black men in their lives. They are all doubly oppressed, and Dangarembga shows the different ways of reacting to oppression by having each woman respond in their own way.
This novel also plays around with contrasts and subversion of expectations. Babamukuru, initally oh-so-different than the comically despicable Jeremiah, turns out to still be quite patriarchal and overbearing in his own way. He is styled as God by Tambu at multiple points throughout the novel, but this high status in her perspective is eroded by his own actions over time. At first, Maiguru seems to have escaped the systemic clutches that hold Ma'Shingayi down, but the novel over time reveals the truth that her life is not as free as it seems. The opening passage of the novel makes Tambu seem callous - and she is aware of this potential perception - but her apathy towards her brother's death is slowly justified.
One aspect of this novel that I find particularly powerful is the characters' arguments against colonial rule and education - because they're not all reasonable. When one character is yelling about white people's witchcraft, but then accurately assesses how this "education" will make the student lose themselves, you realise Dangarembga knows how to make her characters human. Not everyone has the most well-thought-out critique of oppressive institutions, but they can still hit upon the general correct area when they see the damage that's being done. I've seen many people who dropped out of school who can still succinctly criticize capitalism, so this element of the novel really resonated with me.
I do think the novel has one fatal flaw, however - Tambu. Tambu, similar to a few semi-autobiographical protagonists, feels fairly bland compared to her family, all of whom have a few personality traits to offer. Don't get me wrong, she has her motivations, but overall she feels like an observer character, one for the reader to peer through so they understand the novel's setting better. She's not unlike Nick Carraway in that regard. Once the section dealing with her brother's death passes, there's not much that helps her stand out as a person. It is however thanks to her narrative perspective that Nyasha has such a massive presence in the novel, a sure blessing with regard to how masterfully she summarises the complexities of a black Rhodesian girl's situation just by refusing to back down, even when she feels she maybe should.
I also do feel the novel can feel a bit dry sometimes, which is less owed to the story and more, I think, because of Tambu's lack of character. Nevertheless, I think this is a decent first novel that superbly analyses the devastating effects of colonialism on indigenous women, one that hosts a great ensemble of characters without ever feeling overambitious.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Miscarriage, Racism, and Misogyny
tina94's review
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Religious bigotry, Eating disorder, Sexism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Grief, Excrement, Miscarriage, Infertility, and Child death
lara_bk's review
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Racism, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Colonisation
translove's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Physical abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Racism, and Colonisation
Minor: Vomit
whatjaimereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga is undoubtedly a masterpiece, and I am so grateful to last year’s Booker Shortlist for bringing it to my attention.
This is a short novel, but every word is placed with intent, there’s no question that this is a modern classic which will stand up to the test of time. Nervous Conditions is a semi-autobiographical novel that chronicles an important moment in Zimbabwean history, the turn of independence, through the eyes of a teenage Tambudzai and her extended family. The discussions of gender, (post)colonialism, race, and mental illness are incisive and deeply impacting. Tambu’s character was designed to be relatable to the masses within Zimbabwe, and the realisations of the dominance of poverty, particularly through the eyes of an increasingly-educated protagonist, will be unforgettable.
Dangarembga treats each of her characters with kindness and generosity, despite the hardship with which they are faced. This is deeply reminiscent of the recent article written by Simukai Chigudu for The Guardian which I bang on about all the time; so if you read and enjoyed that, I definitely recommend moving onto this. Actually, I recommend this to everyone, there’s no way that you can go into this book without benefitting from its richness and the knowledge that it imparts. Undeniably accomplished, outstandingly realised, and a true privilege to have read.
This is a short novel, but every word is placed with intent, there’s no question that this is a modern classic which will stand up to the test of time. Nervous Conditions is a semi-autobiographical novel that chronicles an important moment in Zimbabwean history, the turn of independence, through the eyes of a teenage Tambudzai and her extended family. The discussions of gender, (post)colonialism, race, and mental illness are incisive and deeply impacting. Tambu’s character was designed to be relatable to the masses within Zimbabwe, and the realisations of the dominance of poverty, particularly through the eyes of an increasingly-educated protagonist, will be unforgettable.
Dangarembga treats each of her characters with kindness and generosity, despite the hardship with which they are faced. This is deeply reminiscent of the recent article written by Simukai Chigudu for The Guardian which I bang on about all the time; so if you read and enjoyed that, I definitely recommend moving onto this. Actually, I recommend this to everyone, there’s no way that you can go into this book without benefitting from its richness and the knowledge that it imparts. Undeniably accomplished, outstandingly realised, and a true privilege to have read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Excrement, Grief, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Miscarriage, and Vomit
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