Nervous Conditions: The Split
Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions is the second novel we read in my class. This novel also takes place in Africa, Zimbabwe to be exact, and has the central theme of what happens to a country post-colonization. It is a poignant novel written very literally. For me, this novel was not a favorite. I generally prefer fantasy and surrealism over realism and I found Tambu's story thought provoking, but quiet tedious to read.
For many people in my class, this novel was a breath of fresh air from the nonsensical and in-cohesive thoughts of Mrs. Curren in Age of Iron. It is much easier to follow because it is written without myriads of metaphors and is, overall, much more straightforward.
Nervous Conditions follows the story of Tambu, an African girl from a small village and farm who is then presented with the opportunity to go to school at a mission run by English missionaries. Tambu's story intertwines with many of her family members as she discovers the split in identity and the "nervous condition" colonization has caused between white and black. This theme of Africans trying to find their place in a suddenly white world but also keep their culture and customs is what makes Dangarembga's novel really worth reading. Although the storytelling was hard for me personally to get into and follow, the ideas in this book about race, identity, and gender rolls made me glad I had the opportunity to read it.
So, if you enjoy learning knew things and if you especially enjoy learning about different cultures, eating disorders, gender rolls, and identity crisis, then you will definitely appreciate Dangarembga's cutting contemporary novel.