Reviews

The Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu

Only show reviews with written explanations

anuradha10's review against another edition

3.0

The book is easy to read without being mindless. Huchu's characters highlight the indignity of colonialism and the struggles of inhabiting developing nation. Though the book is ten years old, Robert Mugabe's rule only ended in 2017, making this a heartbreaking and relevant novel even now. The 'twist' was very obvious and the story loses its steam about halfway through. However, I believe the twist is significant considering the laws and politics of the country. I liked all the main characters and especially enjoyed the depictions of female camaraderie. I look forward to reading more works from this region and hope the situation improves.

tinybiscuits's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The description of everyday life in Zimbabwe is incredibly rich, that part makes it worth reading. But the actual storyline had so much build up to what I found to be a miniscule infraction

ireeeeeene's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

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

1.5

mollyan's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective 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

3.0

b00kr3vi3ws's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

The story starts by giving us a look into Vimbai’s life, background and psyche. She is a single mother, struggling to make a good live for herself and her daughter. She works for Mrs.Khumalo as a hairdresser – the best in Harare. She is mostly in control of her life and almost content with it when enters one Dumisani. Dumisani soon takes over her position in the Salon. In her personal life, bills that need paying keeps piling up. Before she realizes it, Dumisani is living with her as a paying guest. Their animosity slowly turns into friendship because of Vimbhai own nature and also because of Dumisani…

What happens then? Read it to find out the secrets that some of the characters have been keeping. You have to read the book to feel the betrayals portrayed in it. The characters develop in front of our own eyes and sometimes you see things coming and sometimes (especially if you are like Vimbhai) things just take you by surprise.

What I liked best is that this book gives us a glimpse of Zimbabwe. If you think your country has problems – well then you are not alone. The country’s problems and turmoil is depicted in a fantastic manner.

Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws

ana_vci's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

4.25

henriettaenam's review against another edition

Go to review page

Themes: Homosexuality, business, competitiveness, friendship, single motherhood, rape, corruption, government oppression and family drama.

I must say that I was intrigued with how this book dealt with different themes and still didn’t make me distracted.

In the beginning I was in suspense because of few hanging and suggestive sentences.
Then I could actually predict because if the many hints.

I liked that everything the author wanted to write about was well done.
I did feel the grand reveal of the main theme was delayed for a short story like this one and so the end seemed rushed to me.

I did learn a thing or two about Zimbabwe and it was nice.
yes, read it