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crankylibrarian's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Racism, Misogyny, Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
calarco's review
4.0
‘Did you know that Okoye is a brilliant playwright?’ is now my go-to opening line at gatherings and fancy shindigs, and The Convert is the reason why. This is such an amazing play, perhaps even better than the stellar Eclipsed. Admittedly, I have not seen any of Danai Gurira’s work performed live (yet), but her talent as a writer makes reading her scripts more than worthwhile.
Taking place in 1896 in what is now present-day Rhodesia, we are introduced to a community in flux. The story opens with protagonist Jekesai fleeing her uncle who wants to marry her off as the tenth wife to a much older man. With the help of her aunt Mai Tamba, she is able to find solace with Chilford, a man on a mission to spread Christianity to her village. In addition, she receives employment, education, and a new name – Esther.
Esther embraces Christianity, finding Chilford and Jesus to be her saviors. But in this time and place, Christianity arrived hand-in-hand with colonialism, so this dynamic is where the real narrative tension begins. More than anything, this is a story about navigating changing power structures. Whether adhering to African tradition or western Christianity, the only constant seems to be that there is no discernible place (or path) for an intelligent black woman.
Whether it be the traditionally resourceful Mai Tamba, or the extensively educated Prudence, the women in this tale are seldom respected or even acknowledged, neither by society nor the men in their lives. Not to over simplify though, Gurira’s characters are all vibrant and multilayered, and each one provides an important perspective that helps drive the story.
I’d write more, but instead I’ll just say you should read or see this play and decide for yourself.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Taking place in 1896 in what is now present-day Rhodesia, we are introduced to a community in flux. The story opens with protagonist Jekesai fleeing her uncle who wants to marry her off as the tenth wife to a much older man. With the help of her aunt Mai Tamba, she is able to find solace with Chilford, a man on a mission to spread Christianity to her village. In addition, she receives employment, education, and a new name – Esther.
Esther embraces Christianity, finding Chilford and Jesus to be her saviors. But in this time and place, Christianity arrived hand-in-hand with colonialism, so this dynamic is where the real narrative tension begins. More than anything, this is a story about navigating changing power structures. Whether adhering to African tradition or western Christianity, the only constant seems to be that there is no discernible place (or path) for an intelligent black woman.
Whether it be the traditionally resourceful Mai Tamba, or the extensively educated Prudence, the women in this tale are seldom respected or even acknowledged, neither by society nor the men in their lives. Not to over simplify though, Gurira’s characters are all vibrant and multilayered, and each one provides an important perspective that helps drive the story.
I’d write more, but instead I’ll just say you should read or see this play and decide for yourself.
Rating: 4.5 stars
mmatti300's review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
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