Welcome to Litsy!

1968 on the countryside in Zimbabwe, and Tambu grows up on her family‘s farm where women are responsible for the garden, the food and the kids. This year her brother dies, and suddenly a new opportunity opens up for her - attending the missionary school

A book about race, class, the different expectations between the sexes, hierarchy inside a family and friendship.

I loved this so much that I‘m already on the hold list for the next book

It‘s still Tuesday here (barely)!😂 Better late than never. Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView . 😊

1. The tagged book was probably my favorite book read this month.

2. I love a good “coming of age” novel and I particularly appreciated the female perspective from a country and culture not my own.

#Two4Tuesday

Another one from my #14Books14Weeks2023 pile. I bought this on a whim for $1 at the library, but the investment has exceeded my expectations. I loved this hard hitting coming of age novel set in late 1960s Rhodesia. Tambe is caught between childhood and adulthood, between tradition and progress, between colonialism and independence. As a Black African female, her position, despite her education and her ambition, will always be tenuous and fraught.

#weekendreads

This is what I will be reading in between errands and chores this weekend. Enjoying all three but particularly the tagged book. Fantastic coming of age story in pre-revolutionary Zimbabwe.

Kindle US sale $2.99

I was not sorry when my brother died.

#ReadingAfrica2023, #FirstLineFridays, @ShyBookOwl

#ReadingAfrica2022 #Zimbabwe @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle
Well, I can't claim this one for the challenge as at page 162 I decided I really don't care what happens with these characters, and had to bail. It's a sign you have to pay attention to when you're reading one book whilst thinking of another.
I don't think I've ever cheated on a book before - I feel a bit seedy! 😳😆

"I was not sorry when my brother died."

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl
#ReadingAfrica2022

“Each novel is a message in a bottle cast into the great ocean of literature from somewhere else.”

- From the introduction by Kwame Anthony Appiah

#ReadingAfrica2022 #Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle
I've had a bit of a hiatus from this challenge simply because I've been trying to buy fewer books, however, I saw this tagged by @Graywacke & the library had it, so I'm back in harness 😁
Coming of age in the transition from colonialism to post-colonialism is, understandably, a thread connecting several of the books I've read for the challenge. I'm interested to see how this one plays out.

#MayMoms Day 26: There is something definitely #Iconic in the way motherhood and womanity are portrayed in this novel - canonical even. Part of the book list from This Is The Canon in our #DecolonizeBookshelves2022 reading theme.

🦋tagged book: so far, it is ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me - I am not as riveted by the storytelling as yet
🦋best read in 2022: so far, Against The Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa
🦋Grateful for my library of unread books and family. 📚📚📚

This was a stunning novel, the first in a trilogy. I was impressed with Tambu's character and the narration she provides. This is a coming of age story, and while reading you can really see the processing she does as she describes how she felt at the time and how her perceptions are different now. Stellar writing! All the characters are fleshed-out humans with many facets. I can't wait to buy a copy of each of the sequels.

I‘m really enjoying this novel. Tstsi Dangarembga was recently awarded the Windham-Campbell Award for fiction. Finding out about that brought to my attention that this is the first book in a trilogy which follows the main character Tambu throughout life. I‘m pretty certain that I‘ll enjoy this and continue with the other books if I can find them. Also, I really love the painting on the cover of this edition.

#SavvySettings Day 11: If one has such a condition, it is not unlikely - inevitable even - that one is headed to the #Hospital - looking forward to reading this book for #DecolonizeBookshelves2022 of GatheringBooks.

Husband made leche flan! And yes, there‘s already a bite before I took the photo. Lols. For our #DecolonizeBookshelves2022 reading theme at GatheringBooks.

#12Booksof2021
#February

I only finished three books in February, but this is easily one of the best I read all year - cultural clashes in 1960‘s Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)

@Andrew65

This novel won the Commonwealth Prize in 1989 and was named in the BBCs 100 Books that Changed the World. It‘s set in 1960s Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and is a coming of age story of Tambudzai, a rural girl living in poverty who longs to be educated. While this novel touches on racism and colonialism, it digs deep into class and gender. Tambudzai‘s fight takes her into wealthier communities where she finds different kinds of tension and hardship.⬇️

I love it when you pick up a classic, prize winning book and it grabs you straight away. This is an early section to give you an idea of the straight forward writing of a child‘s point of view. Tambudzai, here just ten years old or so, is the embodiment of tenacity, switching off the voices of the people in her life who tell her what she can‘t do. 🙌

I was expecting dark disturbing stuff, especially when the first line is, “I was not sorry when my brother died.” Instead it‘s vibrant, and fascinates as it captures a world and then a moment - 1960‘s Zimbabwe. The clash of rural vs urban, uneducated vs educated, variations of privilege, sexism and, especially, awkward westernization. This is a terrific read...as well as a kind of classic. Looking forward to The Book of Not.

Not a typical morning on Houston, tx. Rolling blackouts expected, under-insulated pipes ok so far. (14°F) Spending part of my morning with this, which I started last night.

I haven't read as many books by African writers as I would like, but in college I took a class focused on French African literature. The only book I remember is So Long a Letter. The other two pictured, I discovered on the 1001 books list.

#IntegrateYourShelf, @ChasingOm, @Emilymdxn

I was not WOWED, but I liked it. It does provide a lot of food for thoughtful reflection, but the novel was probably far more impactful in 1988 when there were fewer African fiction authors published in the west, especially on colonialism and patriarchy. I am not feeling called to read on in the trilogy at the moment.

Ridiculous weather in MN - a gloomy freezing rain. It should be snowing. Zero motivation to get up and do anything productive so I‘m going to sit under a quilt and read.

Probably mostly UK tea loving Littens will appreciate the gift I asked for - making my morning reading time even better. 😊 I had been guessing temps the old fashioned way.

Funny how Mrs. Claus always knows just what to put in my stocking. 😉☺️👵🏻

Now back to bed because this mama is not one that anyone wants to be around without at least 8 hours of sleep.

Many happy & relaxing reads to all!

This is the story of a girl who tries to break out of poverty by becoming educated in Zimbabwe in the 1960-70s. Clearly, this is autobiographical but it didn‘t feel too non-fiction, it felt like I was reading a novel. It may be a novel. I‘m not sure. I enjoyed the story a lot but it did lack an emotional element that would have made it a 5 star read.

Today has been my favourite type of day. Up before the birds, reading, snuggled on the couch. A hot shower, & then off to brunch & a few errands. Mr. S & I happened upon a new patisserie the other day (unfortunately closed) & decided we needed to come back & investigate. We‘re tucked up, with our respective reads, quiche, French Onion soup & piping hot lattes. We‘ve been eyeing their array of jewelled desserts - now, what to choose...

#24in48

It‘s time for a stretch, another cup of tea & switching up books. I‘m reading ‘Nervous Conditions‘ for my irl book club, which meets next week. I‘m about half way through & finding the writing & story absolutely captivating. It‘s easy to see why this is highly rated & reminds me greatly of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s writing style. It‘s well worth the read, & I think will spark a lively discussion next week at book club.

#24in48 #readathon

Nervous Conditions is the story a girl that gets to be educated after her brother‘s death. It took me about 1/2 the book to get into the rhythm, but after that...I couldn‘t stop. I want to learn more about South Africa & politics of decolonization. The story‘s ending is gripping, as it examines the physical stresses that inhabit a woman‘s body. But, mostly about the many ways men get the play God with a woman‘s life and future. Nyasia is my fav❤️.

Truly excellent coming of age story, which takes on gender, race, class and colonialism. Read for Book Riot #readharder colonial literature task & highly recommend.

My pick for the Book Riot read harder colonial literature challenge. Loving it so far.

Re-read for the umpteenth time. If there was one book that changed my life, it was this. I first read it in summer 2005; tomorrow, I get to teach it for the first time, as part of a new lecture for Postcolonial Texts on my developing project on mental health, intersectionality and literature. Funny where life takes you!

#litsyclassics #litsyclassicsmatches

@Julsmarshall @parttimedomestic

I tend to get overwhelmed sometimes and then have no words to describe just how moved I am by something. There will be a still engulfing silence while thoughts and emotions swell in gratitude.
The way Dangarembga tackles mental health, African female adolescence and stradling worlds in this book is nothing short of a gift.

I spent the day writing the second of three essays due this week, not even getting to the grading necessary for my actual job, so I‘m not going to feel an ounce of guilt about this book mail! Stacks of goodness!

Okay. Let's get into it...#bookhaul stack #1. 😁

This novel is described as a modern classic, and I honestly couldn't agree more. The story is poignant and interesting, and stays with you after finishing it. Reading a colonization narrative from the point of view of a girl who sees it as a way to improve her life and change her lot in life was incredible. Dangarembga's writing is flawless. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #readharderchallenge #classicbypoc @EpicReads #litsyreadingchallenge #byawomanofcolour @jessica

A must read for racial diversity and feminine empowerment. Enjoyed this one way more than I expected to and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a novel that invokes deep thinking ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm all for any novel with complex female friendships. This one was sad, but beautiful and moving.

This is a great book looking at the late colonial period in Zimbabwe. It is an interesting look at patriarchal families, gender roles, and post-colonialism in Africa.

Just don't want to stop reading even during dinner.

Bookmail! These are all Litsy recommendations, including my personal @Liberty recommended book 🎉 and 3 of her recs for others, cuz they looked good and she's my guru.

My personalized recommendation from @Liberty ! I'm very excited--it looks good! I don't think I would have found this one on my own and I look forward to it. Thanks, master book expert!

A friend reminded me that it was two years ago this week since EACLALS. I met the author whose work probably had the biggest impact on my life. As Tsitsi Dangarembga lives in Zimbabwe, I never thought I'd meet her; so glad I did and told her face to face how much Nervous Conditions means to me.