Nervous Conditions

Nervous Conditions, Book 1

By: Tsitsi Dangarembga

Narrated by: Chipo Chung

A modern classic in the African literary canon and voted in the Top Ten Africa’s 100 Best Books of the 20th Century, this novel brings to the politics of decolonization theory the energy of women’s rights. An extraordinarily well-crafted work, this book is a work of vision. Through its deft negotiation of race, class, gender, and cultural change, it dramatizes the "nervousness" of the "postcolonial" conditions that bedevil us still. In Tambu and the women of her family, we African women see ourselves, whether at home or displaced, doing daily battle with our changing world with a mixture of tenacity, bewilderment, and grace.

©1988 Tsitsi Dangarembga (P)2021 Faber & Faber Ltd.

Thoughts I’ve never had to think before

Yikes I can’t believe that I’m giving 5-stars as that’s generally reserved for wow outstanding books. But when I was thinking “why is this only 4 stars instead of 5?” I didn’t have a good reason…

This book was less of what I thought it was going to be about, but so much more of things I’ve never had to think about. Great perspectives, the accents made it easier for me to follow along and yeah. I’ll be listening to the rest in the series!

Incredible!!

A great story and superb narration. one of the best audiobook I ever have read.

Horrifying and hopeful all at once

This story of a black girl growing up in Rhodesia in the 60s and 70s is painful, and yet in it’s very human way, also upbeat. Gripping, and very well performed.

Beautifully told—apartheid and the emancipation of women

Thoughtful and engaging story about the results of colonialism and the economic and physical apartheid it imposes on colonized peoples juxtaposed with the awakening of the ideals of emancipation told through the voices of the women in one family who are subjugated by both racism and the expectations of traditional culture.

Beautiful. Awesome. Enlightening.

I absolutely loved the pronunciations and the voice of the actor. I enjoyed listening and reading alongside. This was extremely well done and the writing is superb. Loveeeeeeeeee this story.