The Uncertainty of Hope
Reviewed by Charles Mungoshi
The Herald
'Book a welcome addition to Zimbabwean literature'
'This satisfying and thought-provoking book from Weaver Press reminds me of award-winning Ghanaian writer Ama Ata Aidoo’s novel Changes. Valerie Tagwira writes confident, inspirational prose about the predicament of women in modern Zimbabwe…. perhaps a young rival for Tsitsi Dangarembga is emerging, who shows us that modern Zimbabwe is a place where one can still hope for change.'
About The Author
Valerie Joan Tagwira graduated from the University of Zimbabwe’s Medical School in 1997.She has a strong interest in health-related and developmental issues that affect women. She is currently studying towards her membership exams for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists while working in London.
The Uncertainty of Hope is her first novel.‘It began as an exploration in creativity,something that one doesn’t practise in the medical field.Then, it became an opportunity for me to explore issues close to my heart… the challenges that women face in their day-to-dayl ives,and the obstacles that they encounter in trying to make life better for their families.’
Product Description
The Uncertainty of Hope by Valerie Tagwira, a novel which Charles Mungoshi calls 'an astonishing debut'. Through the various and complex lives of Onai Moyo - a market woman and responsible mother of three children, and her best friend Katy Nguni - a vendor and black-market currency dealer - we are given an insight into the challenges that face those who only survive by their wits, their labour and
their mutual support. In doing so Tagwira aptly captures how precarious the future is for the inhabitants of Mbare, Zimbabwe in 2005. The story of these two close friends is situated in a high-density suburb. However, the author also introduces a much wider cross-section of Zimbabwean society: Tom Sibanda, a young business man and farmer, his girlfriend, Faith, a law student, Tom's sister Emily, a health professional, and Mawaya, the ostensible beggar. With depth and sensitivity, Tagwira pulls these many threads into a densely woven novel that provides us with of some of the many faces of contemporary Zimbabwe.
Product Details
Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: Weaver Press (March 28, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1779220634
ISBN-13: 978-1779220639
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
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