Reviews

The Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu

anusha75's review against another edition

2.0

I tried hard to like this - I really did.

Vimbai is such a one-dimensional character with little personality, and I felt nothing for her (or Dumi). And I generally like flawed—even despicable—main characters.

I read critical reviews book that called the book "subversive". They spelled lazy wrong.
The big reveal was obvious right from the start

Spoiler

though I think this book would've done better if it explored the politics of sexuality, instead of going the "big reveal" route

, and I don't buy that Vimbai didn't see it AT ALL. It just felt like dishonest writing. As someone said, the cliffhangers at the end of every chapter are tacky, amateur, and don't really work because we all know what the climax is going to be. Also for a book that supposedly explores queerness, it didn't explore it at all.

Spoiler

It reduces queerness to a mere plot point. Vimbai's departure from homophobia to "there's no on-off switch for love" (award for the most unoriginal quote ever) was way too quick. And it happens over five "love is love" dialogues said by a supposed philosopher at a teen philosophy club (HOW?!). If only I could take my entire family to a phil club and time my coming out.

Plus a lot of the humour seemed punch-down, which did nothing for me.

The main reason I picked up this book was to get insights into the socio-political realities of Zimbabwe, which thankfully, the author does touch upon (though the narrative is a bit neoliberal and does nothing to implicate the capitalist class) —and this alone gets both stars.

I've heard that Huchu's sci-fi is better, and I'm going to give him another go, assuming he has evolved since this debut book.

naome's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

kayin5896's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

rai's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

majikal's review against another edition

challenging sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

millarpa's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

inathi's review against another edition

4.0

It was very easy to read. The writer is very good. The mqin character is a bit unlikable. The plot twist was very obvious but i guess that was intentional

sumayyah_t's review against another edition

4.0

An excellent book about prejudices, acceptance, and jealousy. I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 due to some of the... opinions expressed by the characters that do not mesh with my own ideals.

keeley_allen's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

natalie_nuwamanya2005's review against another edition

funny informative sad medium-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

4.0