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margaret21's review against another edition
3.0
These dark little stories, often comic, are set around Rotten Row, Zimbabwe's Criminal Division, and centre on the people who work there, and those who for good reasons and bad pass through. There was much to enjoy. Clever characterisations, clever changes of voice ('From a Town Called Enkeldoorn' is entirely written as comments on a web forum, for instance), and above all, the introduction to each story with a quote from the Bible, written in Shona (I love 'Buku yaMuprofita Jeremia' - that's 'The Book of Jeremiah' to you) make these stories, often of an underclass, to be page turners. In the end though, some of these tales got a bit samey-samey and I didn't finish the book. I would if I had my own copy, by picking the stories up again from time to time. But it's from the library, and they want it back.
miszjeanie's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this novel. In Rotten Row, Pettina Gappah writes a collection of short stories which are invariably snapshots into the lives of multiple Zimbabweans both within and out of the country. It is thrilling that most if not all the characters are linked in some way to another character. Gappah's writing is darkly comical and captures beautifully the nuances of African culture and humor.
It is not a book for everyone. Rotten Row is best enjoyed slowly by a reader who enjoys short stories and is willing to go on a ride into unfamiliar territory. As is typical of Gappah's books, there is generous use of indigenous language and I wished many times that I could understand to get even more out of her writing.
Still, a solid four star read, because as it is with short story collections, there were a couple of stories that honestly bored me to tears.
It is not a book for everyone. Rotten Row is best enjoyed slowly by a reader who enjoys short stories and is willing to go on a ride into unfamiliar territory. As is typical of Gappah's books, there is generous use of indigenous language and I wished many times that I could understand to get even more out of her writing.
Still, a solid four star read, because as it is with short story collections, there were a couple of stories that honestly bored me to tears.
gugsnbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was an absolute pleasure to read.
A collection of short stories that are not only only complete in themselves but have links and are interconnected throughout all the stories in the book, this book was interesting, rich and nuanced. Every story had it's own voice and style which kept me engaged.
It's always refreshing to have an authentic and layered approach to, in particular, Zimbabwean stories - where the tendency is usually to be shallow and one-sided. Gappah, achieves the perfect balance.
I highly recommend this book!
A collection of short stories that are not only only complete in themselves but have links and are interconnected throughout all the stories in the book, this book was interesting, rich and nuanced. Every story had it's own voice and style which kept me engaged.
It's always refreshing to have an authentic and layered approach to, in particular, Zimbabwean stories - where the tendency is usually to be shallow and one-sided. Gappah, achieves the perfect balance.
I highly recommend this book!
shonatiger's review
4.0
Quite enjoyed it when the individual stories began to be tied together. Before that, struggled a bit. A good read!
jenno's review against another edition
This took me a long time to read and it's not the books fault.
I just have a hard time reading short stories and feel like they either just pass me by without me paying any attention or wanting more out of a story. Some stories have stuck with me and I found Gappah's writing to be good. I enjoyed being in Harare for most of this book even though the topics changed a lot.
Something flew over my head but I'm still really glad I read it.
I just have a hard time reading short stories and feel like they either just pass me by without me paying any attention or wanting more out of a story. Some stories have stuck with me and I found Gappah's writing to be good. I enjoyed being in Harare for most of this book even though the topics changed a lot.
Something flew over my head but I'm still really glad I read it.
samsam123's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories set in contemporary Zimbabwe. This was the first work I have read by Petina Gappah, and after reading it I went and bought her other works, In particular, I liked the first half of the book dealing with capital crimes. I think my favourite story was the first one in the collection called "The Dropper". The second half of the collection held my attention less so than the first, and I would have been happy with just the first section. What is especially nice about this collection is that all the stories circulate around the issue of crime and morality, and the stories subtly build on each other ias characters from one story suddenly passing through another, which lends to a picture of the vibrancy of the street Rotten Row, and the pervasiveness of justice and injustice. Although at times bitterly sad, this work is also quite funny. If you like short stories that are dark yet funny, this is a great collection to pick up.
sipho_md's review
4.0
An enjoyable collection of short stories all dealing with crime, in some form or fashion.
Most of the stories are set in Harare and are particularly charming because of the familiarity of the names and places. Gappah also does a masterful job of intertwining some of these accounts together.
This is definitely worth a read, especially if you're a Zimbabwean who grew up in Harare.
Most of the stories are set in Harare and are particularly charming because of the familiarity of the names and places. Gappah also does a masterful job of intertwining some of these accounts together.
This is definitely worth a read, especially if you're a Zimbabwean who grew up in Harare.
annitikkala's review
4.0
A great, fresh find! For someone not closely familiar with the culture of Zimbabwe and its local languages, following the stories may seem difficult at first, but this trouble is soon forgotten. The themes of crime and justice are universal, as are the humane characters Gappah describes: they love, they cheat, they laugh and they mourn. Although the topic is rough and the inequality and corruption present in the stories at points extremely frustrating, this book made me laugh more than any other in awhile! Recommended to anyone looking for a new perspective and at the same time a world that is very much familiar.
enyanyo's review
4.0
[a:Petina Gappah|2796270|Petina Gappah|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1454446570p2/2796270.jpg]'s series of vignettes is a highly entertaining albeit heartbreaking portrayal of the lives of (fictional) everyday Zimbabweans. I loved how she uses a unique voice for each story and how previously seen characters kept popping up in new stories. There is a sad comic quality to this collection, which I found haunting.