A review by theoreticalsiren
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

4.75

This book was infuriating at times, hilarious at times, emotional, and representative of issues that have plagued my own family — and presumably many African families — for generations. The initial chapters move a little slow, but what really carried me through to the end was engaging with Nyasha and Tambudzai’s differing responses to issues that impact both of them in very similar ways. I found myself loving the fact that they were made to represent this line between “traditional” familial expectations within African households and a natural tendency to push back against identities that were imposed on us by the many colonial forces we have been exposed to for generations. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings