Reviews - This Mournable Body

335 reviews for:

This Mournable Body

Tsitsi Dangarembga

3.36 AVERAGE

erin_roark's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

stephanielynnrp's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars

hesmc's review against another edition

3.0

challenging informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

desarroi's review against another edition

3.25

tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

kdominey's review against another edition

3.5

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lucyannunwin's review against another edition

3.0

This Mournable Body is a beautifully written, psychologically insightful but, for me, excruciatingly uncomfortable story.

The main character, Tambudzai, is trying to prove herself in Harare and forget the village homestead she grew up in. The trouble is that Tambu is deeply unlikeable: from the very start when she witnesses a sexual assault on a bus, through her bitterness, pride and snobbery it’s clear that this is a deeply flawed character. But it’s written in the second person, putting you, the reader, in the shoes of this sour, selfish woman.

It’s clever and it’s skilful, and I suppose if I were braver it would be an amazingly route to empathy, but I’m afraid it just made me defensive and distressed. The critical consensus is that This Mournable Body is a masterpiece, but be sure to go into it ready to be bracingly challenged and with your sense of self intact!

michaela_coffee's review against another edition

4.0

What an interesting look into the life of a Zimbabwean woman and the struggles faced by young adults as they strive to find success but remain tied to their homes.

I must read the other two books written by Dangarembga to fully grasp the themes discussed. Neo-colonialism and the spread of 'eco-tourism' throughout Africa really made me think about how developed nations still impact developing nations.

So much to reflect on. And research.