ninaprime 's review for:

Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

3.75

informative reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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A semi-autobiographical story, "Nervous Conditions" tells of the coming-of-age of a young woman in colonized Zimbabwe as she strives to escape poverty through education, sponsored by the largesse of wealthier relatives despite pressures from her patriarchal society.  The writing is dense and stream of consciousness, and can be slow to move the plot forward because of the focus on developing the characters and setting. Dangarembga is so insightful about the pressures women face, and their struggles with ambition, belonging, and identity due to their race and class; however, Tambu can be a difficult heroine to like, even as I found her relatable in some ways. Her aunt Maiguru and cousin Nyasha, while facing similar conflicts between cultural roles and the freedoms they experience through getting degrees and living in the UK respectively. Even though I didn't unequivocally love the book, I do wish it was more widely recognized and taught in place of the frustrating "Things Fall Apart" as seminal African literature.

GU Book Club selection, July 2025.