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janehaggis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.0
A good read following the life of Vimbai, a hairdresser and single mother in Harare trying to make a life in a world of poverty, hyper inflation, corruption and shortages. Her life is transformed when Dumi gets hired by Vimbai’s salon. A man who cuts women’s hair differently and seems to threaten Vimbai’s position and future. As their relationship changes, a secret emerges that challenges the very core of Vimbai’s being. This is a first novel which works quite well to give a vivid picture of the precarious struggles of most Zimbabweans in living a life. The book also turns on the narrow religious conservatism that imbues much in Zimbabwean life. The author folds in whiteness and race skilfully as a thread through the story as well as the distortions of the post colonial dream. The story rushes to its end and leaves a few ends hanging but ultimately an enjoyable read.
laura_pc's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
booksandbones's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jendewind's review against another edition
4.0
I was interested in this book because I have visited Harare, Vic Falls, and other places in Zimbabwe and I wanted to relive some of that experience. I think that the author paints a clear picture of the capital and what daily life is like. This is not by any stretch a cheerful book! It deals with some tough issues like corruption, governmental issues, assault, womanizing, discrimination and fear of homosexuality. Overall, the book was well done.
repenapatapa's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
brb gonna become a hairdresser
sipho_md's review against another edition
3.0
A somewhat predictable outcome to an otherwise engaging and well written story. I really appreciated the familiarity of the places mentioned in this book; this really is a book set in Harare amidst the political and economic crisis of the mid 2000's.
Perhaps the interweaving of these narratives feels forced in some places and there are times where it feels like the characters are caricatures based on common stereotypes: from Vimbai, the township girl to Dumi, the "spoilt" the private-school educated child of privilege and Michelle, the spoilt sister.
The ending also felt rather abrupt and doesn't in my opinion provide a whole lot of closure.
Despite all this, The Hairdresser of Harare is a fun read, especially for a Harare-raised Zimbabwean like me.
Perhaps the interweaving of these narratives feels forced in some places and there are times where it feels like the characters are caricatures based on common stereotypes: from Vimbai, the township girl to Dumi, the "spoilt" the private-school educated child of privilege and Michelle, the spoilt sister.
The ending also felt rather abrupt and doesn't in my opinion provide a whole lot of closure.
Despite all this, The Hairdresser of Harare is a fun read, especially for a Harare-raised Zimbabwean like me.
ksangabriel15's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This was a quick and quirky little story. It was an easy and simple read, even with the lack of translations for things that — in my opinion — needed translating. (But that’s what translate apps and websites are for, right?)
I thought the story moved at a decent pace, though there were a couple of points where I hadn’t realized that the supposed amount of time in the story had actually passed. I did find the big reveal kind of obvious, but I can say that I definitely didn’t see any of the events playing out the way they did. In fact, you might even say I was surprised.
I went from frustration to pity to plain shock and by the end, I almost didn’t want it to end. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for something short and simple with a twist or two, or more specifically something set in Zimbabwe.
This was a quick and quirky little story. It was an easy and simple read, even with the lack of translations for things that — in my opinion — needed translating. (But that’s what translate apps and websites are for, right?)
I thought the story moved at a decent pace, though there were a couple of points where I hadn’t realized that the supposed amount of time in the story had actually passed. I did find the big reveal kind of obvious, but I can say that I definitely didn’t see any of the events playing out the way they did. In fact, you might even say I was surprised.
I went from frustration to pity to plain shock and by the end, I almost didn’t want it to end. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for something short and simple with a twist or two, or more specifically something set in Zimbabwe.
niniwa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Sexual violence, and Homophobia