A review by canarqen_defon
The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell

I couldn't finish this book. The lives of the women -- African or European -- in this are so bereft of hope and joy. They are used by the men in their lives and are left to deal with the consequences of quickly fading ardor. I did learn some interesting things about 20th century Zambian history (they had a "space" program!; I like the idea that Nkoloso was throwing a big middle finger up to Americans and Europeans, but, still, Matha leaves the program because she's pregnant and the Nkoloso character is as unsympathetic and condescending as the other men we are introduced to in this book). I really wanted to like it, but I just couldn't.