Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Some of the commentary on colonialism isn't subtle, but the character development is so artfully woven. I hated Babamukuru and felt Nyasha's pain. Gives you a real insight into internalized racism and the kind of thinking that can make you start to hate yourself and the world you come from.
emotional
reflective
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
Coming-of-age + feminism intersections in Zimbabwe, pretty much means I was destined to really like this, and I liked it more than I expected. A pleasant surprise was my getting along very well with both the narration on the audiobook as well as finding the authorial voice for the character having a lot of personality in the prose work, which can really flatten out in this format.
It is fairly challenging, but in the ways you expect. And it has the device in which an older, erudite version of the narrator is telling the story, so the reading isn’t stuck with a childish and simple voice. I really like that; it’s almost a requirement for me these days in coming-of-age. The protagonist is whipped and harmed in other ways during her struggle to find some measure of autonomy, primarily through education. The characters are well realized; the plot, probably predictable but executed well. It falls into the solid bit of writing camp, for me.
It is fairly challenging, but in the ways you expect. And it has the device in which an older, erudite version of the narrator is telling the story, so the reading isn’t stuck with a childish and simple voice. I really like that; it’s almost a requirement for me these days in coming-of-age. The protagonist is whipped and harmed in other ways during her struggle to find some measure of autonomy, primarily through education. The characters are well realized; the plot, probably predictable but executed well. It falls into the solid bit of writing camp, for me.
reflective
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
read this for English class, but honestly I really liked it! some of her descriptions of surroundings can be a little overwrought at times, but the characters are AMAZINGLY written. you end up feeling both frustrated with and sad for every single character. it is beautiful to see the world through the eyes of Tambu--as someone whose voice remains consistent yet shifts as she grows up. Nervous Conditions gave me a lot of perspective on "growing up" and family, and I couldn't recommend it more as a subtle view into the perils of colonialism.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Violence