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A review by amanda_nyanhongo
The Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu
4.0
This is such a lovely and well written book. The language is good and Huchu paints a very vivid picture of Zimbabwe. Exploring important themes in Zimbabwe: corruption, the state’s failure, the vulnerable societal conditions & the terrible homophobic culture
It explores the current realities of Zimbabwe while building the tension for the “big secret” to be revealed. It’s easy enough to figure out what the big secret is before it’s revealed. But to Vimbai, she still doesn’t manage to piece two and two together. Showing how homosexuality is a remote and unlikely idea to her and many Zimbabweans. The comparison she makes of Dumi and Philip, how Phillip is better despite him being a rapist is disheartening. But that’s the thought process of so many homophobes that homosexuality is a greater sin than anything else that could exist.
I also throughly enjoyed the reference to the colonial symbolism that still remains in the country. Dumi’s strong sense of self, his passion, pride and strong knowledge of his Zimbabwean roots.
The only thing not making me rate the book a full 5/5 is the disconnect between the narrating voice and Vimbai’s character. She learns how to use a microwave for the first time in her life after Dumi moves in with her. Yet her grammar and language when analysing the world around her is so excellent.
Overall this is a great book, which provokes some much needed dialogue in conservative Zimbabwe.
It explores the current realities of Zimbabwe while building the tension for the “big secret” to be revealed. It’s easy enough to figure out what the big secret is before it’s revealed. But to Vimbai, she still doesn’t manage to piece two and two together. Showing how homosexuality is a remote and unlikely idea to her and many Zimbabweans. The comparison she makes of Dumi and Philip, how Phillip is better despite him being a rapist is disheartening. But that’s the thought process of so many homophobes that homosexuality is a greater sin than anything else that could exist.
I also throughly enjoyed the reference to the colonial symbolism that still remains in the country. Dumi’s strong sense of self, his passion, pride and strong knowledge of his Zimbabwean roots.
The only thing not making me rate the book a full 5/5 is the disconnect between the narrating voice and Vimbai’s character. She learns how to use a microwave for the first time in her life after Dumi moves in with her. Yet her grammar and language when analysing the world around her is so excellent.
Overall this is a great book, which provokes some much needed dialogue in conservative Zimbabwe.