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Question of Power
Question of Power | Bessie Head
4 posts | 4 read | 8 to read
In this semi-autobiographical novel, Head tracks the protagonist Elizabeth's struggle to emerge from the oppressive social situation in which she finds herself, and from the nightmares and hallucinations that torment her. Elizabeth, like the author, was conceived in an out-of-wedlock union between a black man and a white woman of social standing - a union outlawed by her country of birth, South Africa. Elizabeth leaves South Africa with her young son to live in Botswana, a country that has escaped some of the worst evils of colonial domination. But in rural Botswana she is once again faced with a constricting social system as the villagers are suspicious of her urban ways and frown upon her individualistic behaviour. They also bear her ill will on racial grounds because she is light skinned like the 'Bushmen' who are a despised tribe there. Elizabeth suffers not only social isolation but intellectual deprivation as well. One of the few people with whom she can converse as an intellectual equal is the American peace corps volunteer, Tom. During the four years in which Elizabeth is plagued by mental, social and economic challenges, it is Tom, and her own love for and obligation to her young son that help her to survive this ordeal.
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review
andrew61
A Question of Power | Bessie Head
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Pickpick

This was a challenging rd abt a woman Elizabeth who moves from SA to Botswana after learning of her mixed heritage. She has a yng son + joins a village grp growing food yet also troubled by vivid hallucinations which dominate the narrative. Echoing the writers own life this is both troubling + hypnotic so while I struggled with the story I was determined to finish.
#authorborninafrica #booked2022 @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

rockpools The most exciting thing about the Jubilee Reads list was seeing Bessie Head on there. I loved Maru, but have to admit to being a bit daunted by this one. One day… 2y
andrew61 @rockpools I have only read when rain clouds gather which was a straightforward narrative but very good. I'll give maru a try. I found this one in a charity shop the cover grabbed me but v interesting. 2y
Cinfhen The cover is REALLY striking!! Great review 💖 2y
35 likes3 comments
blurb
andrew61
Question of Power | Bessie Head
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#BookMoods #4wordtitle
Looked down at my current read and hey presto!
A demanding read so far but interesting picture of a fractured mind. My review will be later on in the week and after I've given it some thought.

Leftcoastzen Love the cover! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Cool cover ❤️💙💜💛🖤 2y
Cathythoughts It is an interesting picture of a fractured mind ! 2y
andrew61 @Cathythoughts yes and it's definitely making my head ache a little as I try and work out what is going on. 2y
30 likes4 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
Question of Power | Bessie Head
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I don‘t think I‘d ever read anything by Bessie Head but I loved this short story in World Lit textbook! (Tagged book is a novel) #TeachersOfLitsy

rockpools She's been one of my favourite 'new-to-me' authors of 2017. Maru was awesome! 7y
72 likes1 comment
blurb
JenP
A Question of Power | Bessie Head
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#lyricalApril #madworld As I psychologist, I don't like to read about mental illness in fiction for two reasons. First, it's what I spend my days working with and I like my reading to take me away from work. Second, it's often not accurately portrayed. This novel was well done an an interesting look at mental illness from an African perspective. I reviewed it on the blog: https://thereadersroom.org/2015/04/08/read-around-the-world-botswana/

Cinfhen Nice review, sounds very compelling...but like you reading about mental illness is not something I find "entertaining" or enjoyable ? 8y
JenP @Cinfhen it was not an enjoyable read. An important book but hard to read 8y
Cinfhen Cover is amazing 8y
43 likes4 stack adds3 comments