Set in colonial Rhodesia in the late 1960s, 'Nervous Conditions' by Tsitsi Dangarembga follows the story of Tambu, a young girl determined to receive an education to uplift herself and her family from poverty. The novel explores the clash between traditional Shona society and the impacts of colonization, focusing on Tambu's journey alongside her British-educated cousin, Nyasha. Dangarembga's writing delves into themes of post-colonialism, cultural hybridization, and the struggles of women within a patriarchal society, providing a nuanced and insightful perspective on the complexities of identity and self-discovery.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, with Tambu as a central figure representing aspiration and resilience, while others illustrate the struggles women face in a patriarchal society.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is detailed and introspective, offering rich descriptions and profound thoughts, enabling readers to grasp cultural subtleties and emotional complexities.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around Tambu, a young girl’s pursuit of education and identity after the death of her brother, highlighting themes of gender, colonialism, and familial relationships.

Setting:

The setting is colonial Rhodesia in the late 1960s, illustrating the clash between traditional and western influences on society.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, oscillating between reflective passages and more focused events, which can lead to a disjointed reading experience.

I was not sorry when my brother died. Nor am I apologising for my callousness, as you may define it, my lack of feeling. For it is not that at all. I feel many things these days, much more than I was ...

Notes:

The protagonist, Tambu, reveals she is not sad when her brother dies, as it leads to her opportunity for education.

Tambu's life is defined by poverty and limited opportunities until she gets a chance for an education after her brother's death.

Nervous Conditions is set in Rhodesia during the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time of significant social change and colonial influence.

The novel explores the contrasting lives of Tambu, who longs for education, and her cousin Nyasha, who struggles with her identity after growing up in England.

The story highlights the role of women and their struggles against the patriarchal norms in both African and colonial contexts.

Dangarembga's writing depicts the complexities of family dynamics, particularly the relationships between women and men in a patriarchal society.

The novel addresses themes of colonialism, cultural hybridization, gender inequality, and the quest for identity.

Tambu's uncle, Babamukuru, represents the conflict between traditional African values and Western influences as he is educated in England.

The book is part autobiographical, reflecting Dangarembga's own experiences growing up in Rhodesia.

Nervous Conditions is recognized as the first novel in English written by a Black Zimbabwean woman, published in 1988.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of gender-based violence, colonial oppression, and mental health issues.

From The Publisher:

FROM THE BOOKER PRIZE SHORTLISTED AUTHOR OF THIS MOURNABLE BODY, ONE OF THE BBC'S 100 WOMEN FOR 2020

'UNFORGETTABLE' Alice Walker 'THIS IS THE BOOK WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR' Doris Lessing 'A UNIQUE AND VALUABLE BOOK.' Booklist 'AN ABSORBING PAGE-TURNER' Bloomsbury Review 'A MASTERPIECE' Madeleine Thien 'ARRESTING' Kwame Anthony Appiah

Two decades before Zimbabwe would win independence and ended white minority rule, thirteen-year-old Tambudzai Sigauke embarks on her education. On her shoulders rest the economic hopes of her parents, siblings, and extended family, and within her burns the desire for independence. A timeless coming-of-age tale, and a powerful exploration of cultural imperialism, Nervous Conditions charts Tambu's journey to personhood in a nation that is also emerging.

'With its searing observations, devastating exploration of the state of "not being", wicked humour and astonishing immersion into the mind of a young woman growing up and growing old before her time, the novel is a masterpiece.' Madelein Thien

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1 comment(s)

gildmarsh

Loved It

2 weeks

The main coming-of-age story of a girl in a patriarchal family expands to explore multiple oppressive dynamics in Rhodesia over the course of the book. I liked that, though the main character’s inner life is laid bare for us and of course there are moving scenes, the narrative is generally presented in a matter-of-fact tone that doesn’t lapse into sentimentality or melodrama and lets the events speak for themselves.

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About the Author:

Tsitsi Dangarembga is the author of two previous novels, including Nervous Conditions, winner of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize. She is also a filmmaker, playwright, and the director of the Institute of Creative Arts for Progress in Africa Trust. She lives in Harare, Zimbabwe.

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Nervous Conditions

Tsitsi Dangarembga

Book 1 in the series:Nervous Conditions