Reviews

Gappah is a new writer to me, but I'm going to have to read more from her in the future, because this was fantastic. I read a lot of short stories, and every so often I read a collection of them that reminds me so much of why I like the form. They're small, polished pieces of narrative, that often end in interesting ways, and they are sometimes, as they are here, a concentrated study of character. Whether it's the woman who takes her neighbour's baby, the man who loses his job and starts building coffins, or the problems of navigating bureaucracy and trying to salvage some sort of financial security in a country where inflation is running rampant, every protagonist here is utterly believable. They're all compelling, even if they're not always pleasant, and the social and political undercurrents running through the book as a whole are well-explored and finely observed.

I understand that the author has written at least one other book (according to the catalogue of my local library, anyway) and it's going on my to-read list, because this was thoroughly enjoyable.

anetq's review against another edition

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4.0

Stories from Zimbabwe - from independence to hyperinflation. Most rather cynical about the times and prospects; whether they are about politics, the lying media, AIDS, Political inner circles, or survival of the poor in the townships. Life is not easy, but the stories are well written.

juca's review against another edition

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informative sad tense fast-paced

4.0

agotakristof's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 stars. One of the shorter ones in the series (48 in print 23 on Kindle). This one revolves around a woman who's lost her mind but somehow is pregnant, in Zimbabwe, under Queen's role. Old lady is coming for a visit and Govt is busy cleaning up the slums to make the place look nice. Rest of the story is about the fate of these people and the poor woman. Nice intro to the author's brand of fiction.

msaari's review against another edition

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4.0

Zimbabwea monesta näkökulmasta: on eliittiä ja rahvasta, ulkomaille muuttajia ja häntä koipien välissä kotiin palaavia, harhaanjohdettuja ja viisaita. Mainio kokoelma, hauska ja traaginen ja viihdyttävä. Mukaan mahtuu monenlaista tunnelmaa, taikauskoa ja internet-aikaa, elämää hyperinflaation keskellä ja vallankumousten ympärillä. Jos Afrikkaan tutustuminen kiinnostaa, tämä on mainio valinta.

juniperusxx's review against another edition

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4.0

Raikas ja persoonallinen kokoelma tarinoita Zimbabwesta, kulttuurista, joka on itselleni hyvin vieras. Kuvaavia välähdyksiä ihmisistä yhteiskunnan eri portailla. Kurjuutta ja ongelmia ei piiloteltu, mutta kirjoitusten sävy oli jopa humoristinen, kokonaisuus ei muodostunut lainkaan ahdistavaksi. Yleissivistävä lukukokemus!

bottismelly's review

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dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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