Scan barcode
_rusalka's review
3.0
The main reason I started reading around the world 12 years ago was to challenge my assumptions and my way of thinking, and to consider other people's experiences from perspectives that were not mine.
I got so frustrated with this book while I was reading it, as the "twist" was blatantly obvious from the first chapter. I spent the whole book waiting for the characters to catch up. I disliked the choices along the way of characters. And then when they did catch up, I completely disagreed with the reactions. I wasn't overly impressed.
But since I have finished reading and then mulled over this book, I have begun to appreciate it more. As I have realised how much I read the book with a white, western perspective, and this was not at all written from one. My norms are not norms everywhere. Where I saw negatives, in the scheme of things from the characters' world, these actions were rather progressive. Where I saw outdated views, I need to recognise in a lot of the world, they are still currently held views.
Still didn't mean I overly enjoyed the book, but did cause me to consider why I read these books and why I will continually need to. It's so easy to get complacent and think your way is the only way to view the world.
I got so frustrated with this book while I was reading it, as the "twist" was blatantly obvious from the first chapter. I spent the whole book waiting for the characters to catch up. I disliked the choices along the way of characters. And then when they did catch up, I completely disagreed with the reactions. I wasn't overly impressed.
But since I have finished reading and then mulled over this book, I have begun to appreciate it more. As I have realised how much I read the book with a white, western perspective, and this was not at all written from one. My norms are not norms everywhere. Where I saw negatives, in the scheme of things from the characters' world, these actions were rather progressive. Where I saw outdated views, I need to recognise in a lot of the world, they are still currently held views.
Still didn't mean I overly enjoyed the book, but did cause me to consider why I read these books and why I will continually need to. It's so easy to get complacent and think your way is the only way to view the world.
manaledi's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. It's not perfect, but no book is, and I'm giving 5 stars because it made me think and laugh and understand Zimbabwe and stay up late reading all combined. You really understand the characters and where they're coming from even on difficult issues.
acholaa's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
unriaan's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Despite the clumsy early stages and a very stilted prose, the novel grows into something enjoyable. The overall plot is very basic and predictable but there are moments that combine humour and sincerity in a manner that is so immense without falling prey to oversentimentality. Very accurate to the Zimbabwean experience in my opinion.
eseosaisreading's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
amanda_nyanhongo's review
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.
miszjeanie's review against another edition
3.0
Good enough read. I'm not mad at the predictability at all. I think the author does a good job of conveying human emotion. It gets a tad preachy toward the end, almost like "the moral lesson of this story is ..." . But, quick, enjoyable read for the most part.
javier_71's review against another edition
4.0
Historia entretenida y que me ha supuesto un gran cambio en el tipo de lectura.
kaychizi's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
loushouseofthoughts's review
3.0
"Denial is a river in Egypt, your husband's gay!"
I enjoyed this book. It was written well for most parts and illuminated me in the context of how Vimbai was raised and the society of Zimbabwe that she's raising her kid and living in. I really loved the manner in which the author introduces Vimbai, her work as a hairdresser which highlights how vain she can be, but at the same time, insecure and tends to project it alot on her clients. Essentially, her obsession with vanity is a cover for her perceived shortcomings as a black woman, particularly beauty standards, as there isn't enough representation then for black African women.
I loved how relatable the various characters were, like Mrs Khumalo, my favorite, just hit home and brought back all the memories of spending long hours on Saturdays at the salon. It was interesting how the author subtly tells on the radical state of government that believes they benefit their society, yet the only the elite truly enjoy "normal" life.
I did not find Dumisani as a character in this story, as interesting as Vimbai. I wonder if it is to do with the late introduction of him being a main character and so I had not been prepared to be directing alot of attention towards him as a reader, but I do find him quite lovable and his actions are quite admirable too. I also felt that the story seemed to forget how they introduced Vimbai, and her responses and actions felt erratic and inconsistent with her persona. I would have loved a Dumisani pov in order to gauge his thoughts and feelings, as I couldn't find him personable beyond the fact he's kind and gay. But the greatest quality of this book is that, it doesn't appeal to a particular plot but more rather a discussion or an overview as to how conservative the society is in Zimbabwe and this is is just a story born out of the circumstances there, so I did like this story.
I enjoyed this book. It was written well for most parts and illuminated me in the context of how Vimbai was raised and the society of Zimbabwe that she's raising her kid and living in. I really loved the manner in which the author introduces Vimbai, her work as a hairdresser which highlights how vain she can be, but at the same time, insecure and tends to project it alot on her clients. Essentially, her obsession with vanity is a cover for her perceived shortcomings as a black woman, particularly beauty standards, as there isn't enough representation then for black African women.
I loved how relatable the various characters were, like Mrs Khumalo, my favorite, just hit home and brought back all the memories of spending long hours on Saturdays at the salon. It was interesting how the author subtly tells on the radical state of government that believes they benefit their society, yet the only the elite truly enjoy "normal" life.
I did not find Dumisani as a character in this story, as interesting as Vimbai. I wonder if it is to do with the late introduction of him being a main character and so I had not been prepared to be directing alot of attention towards him as a reader, but I do find him quite lovable and his actions are quite admirable too. I also felt that the story seemed to forget how they introduced Vimbai, and her responses and actions felt erratic and inconsistent with her persona. I would have loved a Dumisani pov in order to gauge his thoughts and feelings, as I couldn't find him personable beyond the fact he's kind and gay. But the greatest quality of this book is that, it doesn't appeal to a particular plot but more rather a discussion or an overview as to how conservative the society is in Zimbabwe and this is is just a story born out of the circumstances there, so I did like this story.