A review by serendipitysbooks
A Question Of Power by Bessie Head

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

A Question of Power was a challenging read both thematically and structurally. Elizabeth was born in South Africa, the result of a mixed race relationship which was illegal at the time and resulted in a traumatic childhood. After an unhappy marriage she fled to Botswana where she suffered a mental breakdown. Reading about the events contributing to her breakdown was emotionally challenging; keeping track of the plot and distinguishing what was part of Elizabeth’s actual reality and what was the product of her mental turmoil was both intellectually and emotionally challenging. The links between race, oppression and mental illness were clearly shown.

Content Warnings