Reviews

Nervøse tilstander by Tsitsi Dangarembga

ahkwikwikwi's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

alea_fsl's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

lizzie_5678's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

“it was easy for me to leave tangled thoughts knotted, their loose ends hanging. I didn't want to explore the treacherous mazes that such thoughts led into. I didn't want to reach the end of those mazes, because there, I knew, I would find myself”

There are so many layers to this book to delve into, all of which make it such a thought-provoking and moving read. Ranging from the wider struggles against colonisation, to struggles within the family, to gendered struggles (especially in regards to the pressure placed on meeting expectations/doing as one should according to their gender), as well as incredibly personal and internal struggle; this book tackles a lot, but with such tact. It is so well written, and Dangarembga’s decision to make the narrative a first person, retrospective account was such a wise one, as it allows us to see how Tambu once viewed the world in her innocence, and how this may have altered in her experience. Such a good book, with some really important insights.

kennatroy's review against another edition

4.0

The book had a lot of enlightening themes on the Rhodesian experience during British occupation, but it felt like the mental health issues faced by one of the characters was rushed towards the end

greebtea's review against another edition

I have already read this, I started listening to it to consolidate my understanding as it was for school, but i decided to leave my reread for now.

tonyrg's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

darcyhendershott's review against another edition

4.0

This book was great, but it had a very large slow chunk in it.

ursulab's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

kaadie's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Not a book I necessarily enjoyed reading considering the content but a really interesting and nuanced look into Zimbabwe and particularly the effect colonization and tradition alike had on women. I really enjoyed the way in which it was written. It made the somber material quite digestible.  

jennaw's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0