Nervous Conditions
4 journalers for this copy...
"I was not sorry when my brother died." So begins Tambu, narrator of Nervous Conditions, as she looks back on her childhood. Tambu grew up on her family's impoverished farm within a traditional native society; her determination to receive an education, however, brings her into contact with British colonialism in the form of mission schools. As an African woman, Tambu comes to understand that oppression has many forms; it is never simple and solutions are hard to come by. The patriarchal traditions of her own culture oppress women, while British colonial education takes native children from their parents, literally and figuratively. Tambu grows maize to earn her school fees because there is only enough family money for her brother, only to have her brother steal her produce and give it to friends. She tells of her cousin Nyasha, raised in England and brought back to Rhodesia; unable to live in either culture, she self-destructively turns her struggle inward. Tambu talks of how she herself has changed. Despite the pain and oppression that she has witnessed, Tambu loves her country. Bitterly, with barely repressed irony, she points out wrongs, and then lovingly describes a pathway, a pool, the face of a woman. A strong, intelligent, loving girl/woman, Tambu is a character to stay with and care about, even — perhaps especially — as the conditions she describes enrage us. — From 500 Great Books by Women; review by Erica Bauermeister
Thanks so much for your donation Vasha!
This book is now part of the 1001-library. If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the 1001-library bookshelf.
This growing-up story is told in a very adult voice, with hindsight and analysis: it's the words of a woman who's gone a long way from the poverty of her childhood and seen a lot of the world, but remembers that her family kept telling her not to forget them. This story is proof enough that she didn't. She speaks of the women and the landscape with love, but doesn't spare the men from scorn, not even her uncle Babamukuru, whom she admired so much growing up. Now she can see clearly how oppressive he was, but she is fair and seeks to understand why he was the way he was. There are no white characters in this story, they're only mentioned in passing with bitter irony.
In transit.
Journal Entry 5 by frutz at Mersch / Miersch, Kanton Mersch Luxembourg on Wednesday, January 26, 2011
This book arrived in the letterbox today. Thank you so much for sending it to me Vasha! I look forward to reading it soon.
I found this a good read, very interesting insights into the life of African women and the oppression they suffer from, which sometimes is so anchored into the families and society view of the word that it isn't even percieved as an oppression. The author doesn't just make accusations, but sees and describes the interwoven and historical aspects of this oppression. The characters and their struggles are very moving and give you a lot to think about.
This book is now back on the 1001 library bookshelf and can be borrowed by PMing frutz:)
If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the library bookshelf.
I send this out to lemon-crisis today, who chose it from the 1001 Virtual bookbox
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
Arrived safe and sound today, thanks frutz! And thanks for the bookmark too =]