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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Written in 1988, set in the sixties when Zimbabwe was still Rhodesia, this novel follows two girls, who are cousins, in a mission school. One is the narrator, looking back at her life in the school from a more informed perspective. There is just enough of the mature commentary to remind us of the incomplete version of the younger girl.
The first section describes Tambu's life on the family farm while her brother goes to school and her attempt to grow enough corn and sell it to get her own school fees. The next section shows her in the mission school living with her uncle, the headmaster, rooming with her cousin, Nyasha. The third section I will leave unidentified, for it would be a giveaway.
In the second section as Tambu waits for her aunt, the description of the uncle's house conveys the difference between the conditions of the native population and the privileged black population. Only very indirectly do we get indications of the white population. The events that follow reveal the identity issues the two girls face.
I have just learned that a sequel was published in 2006 and look forward to reading it.
The first section describes Tambu's life on the family farm while her brother goes to school and her attempt to grow enough corn and sell it to get her own school fees. The next section shows her in the mission school living with her uncle, the headmaster, rooming with her cousin, Nyasha. The third section I will leave unidentified, for it would be a giveaway.
In the second section as Tambu waits for her aunt, the description of the uncle's house conveys the difference between the conditions of the native population and the privileged black population. Only very indirectly do we get indications of the white population. The events that follow reveal the identity issues the two girls face.
I have just learned that a sequel was published in 2006 and look forward to reading it.
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This tense, vivid novel demonstrates what it is to be Black, poor and female in the 1970s Zimbabwe, and, by extension, sheds much light on human condition. Tsitsi Dangarembga makes a long-term project of this story, returning to it in two sequels I can't wait to read.
This is a modern classic in African Literature and now rivals Salt Houses for my favourite book of the year. Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga is a semi-autobiographical bildungsroman based in 1960s and 70s post colonial Zimbabwe (what was then known as Rhodesia).
Nervous Conditions intertwines topics of : colonialism, misogyny and patriarchal cultures (most [though not all!] cultures are patriarchal, but lots of cultures are not patriarchal in the same ways and we can see the differences between the ones she experiences), as well as capitalism and poverty, the adult vs. child, religious morality, internalized racism, mental health, motherhood and probably others that overlap as well as contradict.
I underlined lines on almost every page and wrote notes on half of those, probably. It's a book well suited for analysis, conversation and deep thought, but it's also one that aligns you emotionally with this small person who seems so confused and wants the best for herself and others, in every situation.
This is over a five star rating for me. I think everything in this book is very thoughtfully crafted and intricately highlighted. It's beautiful and deserves all the praise it's gotten.
Nervous Conditions intertwines topics of : colonialism, misogyny and patriarchal cultures (most [though not all!] cultures are patriarchal, but lots of cultures are not patriarchal in the same ways and we can see the differences between the ones she experiences), as well as capitalism and poverty, the adult vs. child, religious morality, internalized racism, mental health, motherhood and probably others that overlap as well as contradict.
I underlined lines on almost every page and wrote notes on half of those, probably. It's a book well suited for analysis, conversation and deep thought, but it's also one that aligns you emotionally with this small person who seems so confused and wants the best for herself and others, in every situation.
This is over a five star rating for me. I think everything in this book is very thoughtfully crafted and intricately highlighted. It's beautiful and deserves all the praise it's gotten.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Very understated plot- the real stuff is in the application of Tambu's journey.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
a very interesting semi-autobiographical novel that explores themes such as race and gender in 1960s zimbabwe, then rhodesia. the focus on how colonisation affects an individual down to the level of interpersonal relationships and relationships with the self in this specific context was also explored through the fascinating characters of this story. tambu as a character was very likeable but ultimately also very frustrating, as she would often give into regressive norms (although from her perspective it made sense, to an extent).
overall this book is a great start to the trilogy; however, i do wish nyasha's issues were explored better rather than wrapping up in a rush at the end. the mental debates and dilemmas from both nyasha and tambu were worth looking into in this regard.
overall this book is a great start to the trilogy
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes