Great Anthology

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A thought-provoking anthology set around the experiences of Zimbabwean women in their own country and/or as immigrants in the USA.

The sixteen stories in this collection are all linked in their theme. Each is from a woman’s perspective, each woman is of Zimbabwean background, most have emigrated to the US in hope of a better life, and most are struggling to make ends meet in their new country. The stories are told in a very blunt manner. There’s no beating about the bush, nor is there any attractive façade to cover the darkness underneath. Many stories left me infuriated, sometimes at the characters, sometimes at the situation.

The writing approach is quite varied, with first person, third person and even second person narratives. There are plenty of Shona words and phrases in the narrative. (I would have liked a glossary for these. Not all of their meanings were guessable.) The author’s note at the end is worth a read as she details out why so many of the stories are “heartbreaking, harrowing, and hopeless”.