The Book of Not

By: Tsitsi Dangarembga

Narrated by: Chipo Chung

FROM THE BOOKER PRIZE SHORTLISTED AUTHOR OF THIS MOURNABLE BODY and NERVOUS CONDITIONS

ONE OF THE BBC'S 100 WOMEN FOR 2020

As Zimbabwe emerges into independence, Tambudzai Sigauke embarks on her second year at the Young Ladies' College of the Sacred Heart. Determined to excel, Tambu exhausts herself with her efforts to climb to the top of the school's honour rolls. The further she pushes herself, however, the farther she feels from any reward; and the roots of colonialism threaten to trip her at every step. The sequel to Nervous Conditions is as moving, darkly witty, and riveting as its predecessor.

©2021 Tsitsi Dangarembga (P)2021 Faber & Faber

Great book, bad Shona

The book itself was great, however the narration would have benefited from being done by a native Shona speaker. The narrator is clearly not exposed to the language and being a Shona speaker myself, this put me off. I found it extremely irritating that the narrator mispronounced almost every Shona word, and interpretation of the Shona accent borderline offensive.