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dannythestreet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I find it interesting that we barely get to hear the main character's point of view, her thoughts or feelings. She is mostly just describing things as they are. I think it's characteristic of the way she was brought up, taught not to be a burden, to obey and do as told without complaining or thinking too hard about it. As a contrast we have Nyasha (the best character in the book) who is being endlessly abused by her father, yet she cannot keep quiet, refuses to be "good". What's happening to her at the end is heartbreaking yet unfortunately not surprising, he is a victim of this system same as all of them are.
Overall, the book offers some helpful insight into life in Zimbabwe, blackness, womanhood, poverty, education, family relationship and more
It's not my favourite book but definitely worth a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Death, Racism, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Self harm
agnela's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Pregnancy, Racism, Animal death, Infidelity, Self harm, Violence, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Colonisation, Misogyny, and Sexism
theoreticalsiren's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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? No
4.75
This book was infuriating at times, hilarious at times, emotional, and representative of issues that have plagued my own family — and presumably many African families — for generations. The initial chapters move a little slow, but what really carried me through to the end was engaging with Nyasha and Tambudzai’s differing responses to issues that impact both of them in very similar ways. I found myself loving the fact that they were made to represent this line between “traditional” familial expectations within African households and a natural tendency to push back against identities that were imposed on us by the many colonial forces we have been exposed to for generations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Violence
melli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Vomit, Violence, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Colonisation, Child abuse, Sexism, Self harm, Misogyny, Mental illness, Racism, and Pregnancy
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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