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readincolour's review against another edition
4.0
The Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu is the story of what can happen when you refuse to see what's right in front of you. Vimbai is a single mother raising a child that's the result of an affair with a married man. Working in Mrs. Khumalo's salon, she's the best hairdresser in Harare. All of that changes the day Dumisani appears.
Though male hairdressers are unheard of in Harare, Dumi's charming ways with both Mrs. Khumalo and the customers immediately makes him the star of the salon. Feeling put off by this, Vimbai avoids him. However, the need for extra income prompts her to offer him a room in her house when she learns that he has no place to stay.
Both are cut off from their families, though for different reasons, and, as a result, become quite close. Dumi sends confusing messages to Vimbai when he invites her to attend a family wedding with him. His family is immediately drawn to her and embraces both her and her daughter. I really feel that Vimbai and Dumi use each other to legitimize themselves to others.
Earlier when I talked about not seeing what's in front of you, I was referring to Vimbai's refusal to acknowledge that perhaps there was something Dumi was hiding. As a reader going in knowing the back story, it was obvious by what the family was saying that there was something about Dumisani that he hadn't shared with Vimbai. However, I think even without knowing what the family was referring to or why, had she been paying attention, there were plenty of hints and signs for Vimbai to see.
When Vimbai is finally confronted with the truth, her reaction is such that she outs Dumi to those that intend to do him harm. Ultimately he must leave Harare and Zimbabwe altogether. It's not until she realizes that she will lose every aspect of him that she truly grasps the consequences of her actions.
What did you like about this book?
I loved the author's use of words and their flow. He does a wonderful job of describing not only the characters, but their surroundings.
What didn't you like about this book?
Honestly the only thing that I can find wrong is that it's not available to a wider audience of readers.
What can the author do to improve this book?
Find a publisher in the states! This is definitely a story that needs to be told.
_rusalka's review against another edition
3.0
The main reason I started reading around the world 12 years ago was to challenge my assumptions and my way of thinking, and to consider other people's experiences from perspectives that were not mine.
I got so frustrated with this book while I was reading it, as the "twist" was blatantly obvious from the first chapter. I spent the whole book waiting for the characters to catch up. I disliked the choices along the way of characters. And then when they did catch up, I completely disagreed with the reactions. I wasn't overly impressed.
But since I have finished reading and then mulled over this book, I have begun to appreciate it more. As I have realised how much I read the book with a white, western perspective, and this was not at all written from one. My norms are not norms everywhere. Where I saw negatives, in the scheme of things from the characters' world, these actions were rather progressive. Where I saw outdated views, I need to recognise in a lot of the world, they are still currently held views.
Still didn't mean I overly enjoyed the book, but did cause me to consider why I read these books and why I will continually need to. It's so easy to get complacent and think your way is the only way to view the world.
I got so frustrated with this book while I was reading it, as the "twist" was blatantly obvious from the first chapter. I spent the whole book waiting for the characters to catch up. I disliked the choices along the way of characters. And then when they did catch up, I completely disagreed with the reactions. I wasn't overly impressed.
But since I have finished reading and then mulled over this book, I have begun to appreciate it more. As I have realised how much I read the book with a white, western perspective, and this was not at all written from one. My norms are not norms everywhere. Where I saw negatives, in the scheme of things from the characters' world, these actions were rather progressive. Where I saw outdated views, I need to recognise in a lot of the world, they are still currently held views.
Still didn't mean I overly enjoyed the book, but did cause me to consider why I read these books and why I will continually need to. It's so easy to get complacent and think your way is the only way to view the world.
manaledi's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. It's not perfect, but no book is, and I'm giving 5 stars because it made me think and laugh and understand Zimbabwe and stay up late reading all combined. You really understand the characters and where they're coming from even on difficult issues.
acholaa's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
unriaan's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Despite the clumsy early stages and a very stilted prose, the novel grows into something enjoyable. The overall plot is very basic and predictable but there are moments that combine humour and sincerity in a manner that is so immense without falling prey to oversentimentality. Very accurate to the Zimbabwean experience in my opinion.
eseosaisreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
amanda_nyanhongo's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a lovely and well written book. The language is good and Huchu paints a very vivid picture of Zimbabwe. Exploring important themes in Zimbabwe: corruption, the state’s failure, the vulnerable societal conditions & the terrible homophobic culture
It explores the current realities of Zimbabwe while building the tension for the “big secret” to be revealed. It’s easy enough to figure out what the big secret is before it’s revealed. But to Vimbai, she still doesn’t manage to piece two and two together. Showing how homosexuality is a remote and unlikely idea to her and many Zimbabweans. The comparison she makes of Dumi and Philip, how Phillip is better despite him being a rapist is disheartening. But that’s the thought process of so many homophobes that homosexuality is a greater sin than anything else that could exist.
I also throughly enjoyed the reference to the colonial symbolism that still remains in the country. Dumi’s strong sense of self, his passion, pride and strong knowledge of his Zimbabwean roots.
The only thing not making me rate the book a full 5/5 is the disconnect between the narrating voice and Vimbai’s character. She learns how to use a microwave for the first time in her life after Dumi moves in with her. Yet her grammar and language when analysing the world around her is so excellent.
Overall this is a great book, which provokes some much needed dialogue in conservative Zimbabwe.
It explores the current realities of Zimbabwe while building the tension for the “big secret” to be revealed. It’s easy enough to figure out what the big secret is before it’s revealed. But to Vimbai, she still doesn’t manage to piece two and two together. Showing how homosexuality is a remote and unlikely idea to her and many Zimbabweans. The comparison she makes of Dumi and Philip, how Phillip is better despite him being a rapist is disheartening. But that’s the thought process of so many homophobes that homosexuality is a greater sin than anything else that could exist.
I also throughly enjoyed the reference to the colonial symbolism that still remains in the country. Dumi’s strong sense of self, his passion, pride and strong knowledge of his Zimbabwean roots.
The only thing not making me rate the book a full 5/5 is the disconnect between the narrating voice and Vimbai’s character. She learns how to use a microwave for the first time in her life after Dumi moves in with her. Yet her grammar and language when analysing the world around her is so excellent.
Overall this is a great book, which provokes some much needed dialogue in conservative Zimbabwe.
miszjeanie's review against another edition
3.0
Good enough read. I'm not mad at the predictability at all. I think the author does a good job of conveying human emotion. It gets a tad preachy toward the end, almost like "the moral lesson of this story is ..." . But, quick, enjoyable read for the most part.
javier_71's review against another edition
4.0
Historia entretenida y que me ha supuesto un gran cambio en el tipo de lectura.
kaychizi's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0