Scan barcode
A review by ayeitsdaye
Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase
"Womb City" by Tlotlo Tsamaase is an emotionally charged and anxiety-inducing journey that proves to be a rewarding read. The prose may hinder the narrative early on, but the overall impact of the story makes this a worthwhile read and a strong debut. Bravo!
Connecting with the main character, famed architect Nelah who lives in a criminal body, took longer than expected, even with shared experiences to pull on. The anticipated depth of emotional turmoil seems overshadowed by Nelah's inclination toward risk-taking as a coping mechanism while being so closely monitored. This recklessness, while propelling the plot forward toward the inevitable, spent too long on floundering one wouldn't expect from a resilient, incredibly intelligent character like Nelah. However, I truly enjoyed her latter development, and most importantly, her rage as she struggles against a system stacked against Black women.
Nelah's stream of consciousness serves as the primary narrative vehicle, demanding effort from the reader. The prose can be a bit of a challenge to navigate, requiring persistence to fully engage with the story.
The afro-dystopian concept presented is executed with thoughtfulness and care, adding a layer of depth to the narrative that is immersive without overwhelming. Tsamaase paints an evocative exploration of the culture and systems at play without overwhelming with description. A more vivid presentation could have enhanced the reader's experience, but would've detracted from the grittiness of the plot.
The final quarter of the book stands out for its balanced pacing and graceful resolution, bringing the narrative together cohesively. Despite its initial challenges, "Womb City" culminates in a satisfying manner that leaves me eager to see Tsamaase's future work.
Connecting with the main character, famed architect Nelah who lives in a criminal body, took longer than expected, even with shared experiences to pull on. The anticipated depth of emotional turmoil seems overshadowed by Nelah's inclination toward risk-taking as a coping mechanism while being so closely monitored. This recklessness, while propelling the plot forward toward the inevitable, spent too long on floundering one wouldn't expect from a resilient, incredibly intelligent character like Nelah. However, I truly enjoyed her latter development, and most importantly, her rage as she struggles against a system stacked against Black women.
Nelah's stream of consciousness serves as the primary narrative vehicle, demanding effort from the reader. The prose can be a bit of a challenge to navigate, requiring persistence to fully engage with the story.
The afro-dystopian concept presented is executed with thoughtfulness and care, adding a layer of depth to the narrative that is immersive without overwhelming. Tsamaase paints an evocative exploration of the culture and systems at play without overwhelming with description. A more vivid presentation could have enhanced the reader's experience, but would've detracted from the grittiness of the plot.
The final quarter of the book stands out for its balanced pacing and graceful resolution, bringing the narrative together cohesively. Despite its initial challenges, "Womb City" culminates in a satisfying manner that leaves me eager to see Tsamaase's future work.