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Synopsis
This much awaited second novel from one of the most acclaimed Zimbabwean writers of her generation is already fulfilling the promise of her first novel "Nervous Conditions", par excellence. "Bira" traces Tambu's continuing quest to redefine the personal, political and historical forces that threaten to destroy the fabric of her community - and reveals how its aftermath still be-devils Africans today. Dangarembga's authorial voice delves into the education system, the liberation struggle and attitudes of contemporary Zimbabweans in an incisive and insightful examination of a system calculated to poison and destroy the African sense of self. A distinguishing feature of "Bira" is its radical position in underscoring the complexities and contradictions inherent in colonialism and globalisation. The novel chronicles the plight of the main protagonist Tambu in trying to find her identity and meaning of her existence.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought copies of 'Nervous conditions' and 'The Book of Not' on the same day. I was captivated by the first book, and I could not put it down until I was done with it! The richness & insights of the book lied in the ever so engaging dialogues between Tambu and Nyasha... the power, strength and determination they showed proved to be inciting...when I turned to 'The book of not', I found it difficult to read... I could not recognise the voices of Tambu and Mai, Tambu's mother. Time had passed, and a war had started, but the change in the characters' voices I thought were more to do with the time the author (Dangarembga) took to write this sequel than to the characters' own development... Nevertheless, once again I did not close the book until I was done with it. The second is more incisive on the issues concerning colonization & post-colonization in this region of Africa... and all along I wished the spirit of that very young Tambu back in her homestead tending her corn would have been able to conquer all the absurdities of this world! I cannot wait for the next novel from Tsitsi Dangarembga (I once read it took her this long for she lacked a room of her own to write... I hope she has it now!!)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed Nervous Conditions and was pleased to find this sequel. I did not enjoy it, unfortunately. Perhaps the years have been unkind to Tsitsi, but what comes across throughout this book is a bitterness that is barely concealed. Tambu is no longer the little girl we are fond of and feel indignant about when she is mistreated. She is a cold, isolated and inhibited woman, not at all what one comes to expect from the previous book. I struggled to keep reading this book to the end, and once I did finish it I only felt relief, not the pleasure that usually comes from a good read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this sequel to 'Nervous Conditions'. I did find the first chapter quite hard to make sense of at first (I'm still baffled slightly by Netsai's exploding leg), but once I got into it I found the narrative comlpetely captivating and was unable to put the book down. Darambenga is truly amazing at creating such life-like characters that I found myself completely immersed in Tambu's situation.
I would say that it is true that Tambu's voice is very different from her voice in 'Nervous Conditions', but that is a reflection of Darembenga's skill as a novelist rather than a criticism. The narrative follows Tambu's character and watches as it is morphed by the Western eduction that she is provided with. What we are left with at the end of 'The Book of Not' is a Tambu who has become completely alienated from her birth mother and the culture she was born into- whilst at the same time she is alienated from the Western 'white' culture that her education has attempted to initate her into.
A great book - completely unforgettable!
I would say that it is true that Tambu's voice is very different from her voice in 'Nervous Conditions', but that is a reflection of Darembenga's skill as a novelist rather than a criticism. The narrative follows Tambu's character and watches as it is morphed by the Western eduction that she is provided with. What we are left with at the end of 'The Book of Not' is a Tambu who has become completely alienated from her birth mother and the culture she was born into- whilst at the same time she is alienated from the Western 'white' culture that her education has attempted to initate her into.
A great book - completely unforgettable!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Compelling story
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story evolved naturally and gradually, the author painting the picture of growing up fractured between two cultures during the Zimbabwean... Read more
Published on 24 May 2009 by Vile Ripper
The Book of Not
So disappointing! I loved Tsitsi's first novel (Nervous Conditions), but - as is quite common, sadly - the sequel has little of the power of the first book. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2007 by Mr. S. Reynell
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