Let's take the back cover, for instance. It says, "Dangarembga's (not to mention that the author's last name is misspelled on the back...) witty prose dances and sparkles on the page with brilliant clarity as she articulates Tambu's continuing search for self-knowledge in confronting inequalities and prejudice head-on."
When I first read this, I conjured images in my head of Tambu really making a statement at Sacred Heart by standing up for the rights of Africans, becoming a leader figure, maybe tutoring young white girls in her spare time. I pictured rebellion, reform, something really Hallmark-Channel-rags-to-riches-esque. I know I don't always live in the world of harsh reality - I'm rather optimistic, actually - but it's amazing to me how these words put that image in my head, and now that I've read part of the novel, I note that 'dancing' and 'sparkling' are not really words I would use to describe the intensity of the curfew or the shame expressed by Tambu.
I really don't think that Tambu is tackling her problems head-on either. She is not the strong heroine that this cover is making her out to be (I understand that it's hard for her to be), but as much as I complain about her character development, her troubles give her dimension. Most of the time, I think she's pathetic and whiny, but I also feel for her. I feel humiliated on her behalf, I feel angry on her behalf - she makes us feel like she does -- confused. I'm not so sure Dangarembga wanted us to see things with 'brilliant clarity.'
That being said, I feel like I shouldn't read the backs of books anymore. Their descriptions are sometimes accurate and sometimes not. (Book of Not, anyone?)
I tenuously agree with your assessment of Tambu's characterization, but I have to reserve a little more patience for her. I think Tsitsi does a fantastic job of portraying a young woman deep within the grips of depression. Tambu is finding herself consistently more and more unwillingly filling the shoes of Nyasha in the first novel. She is straddled ambivalently between two worlds and the strain of which is ripping her mind in two. I certainly think she lacks strength but there is a reason for this. Dangarembga intended this portrayal, is she was strong and overcame these psychological dispensations then there wouldn't be as much to glean from her experience. I don't know just a thought.
ReplyDeleteNo, I definitely see what you mean. Actually, I just re-read what I wrote and it does come across as rather unforgiving. I can't imagine being in the position that she is in, and I think that your statement of that she is "consistently more and unwillingly filling the shoes of Nyasha" is spot-on. I keep forgetting that Tambu is not the first character that we've seen experience these struggles and I am glad for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with you on your point that optimistically, we would like to imagine Tambu "standing up for herself..." etc. But based on her increasing passivity in "Nervous Conditions", it doesn't surprise me that she is becoming more morose and beginning to withdraw into herself. Now that you have pointed it out, the back of the book is rather misleading. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I have a slightly different version, but I don’t have that same synopsis on the back of my book. Nonetheless, I felt the same thing when I received my copy of the “Book of Not.” I thought it would really show Tambu blossoming as a student and a person. Wrong! This girl has some serious problems and there is just no sugarcoating it. I would even prefer the Hallmark/Lifetime version to all the embarrassing things she goes through, when she is exposed on the toilet seat in front of all the white girls. I would’ve been mortified! I also agree with E.Hitt about expecting more discussion about the war, which seems to be in the background most of the time. Hopefully, the third installment will address what happens if not at the end of “Book of Not.”
ReplyDeleteAs far as the “dancing” and “sparkling” used to describe the curfew and Tambu seem to be the polar opposite of what you would expect, especially after reading those scenes. I guess this is what they mean by not judging the book by its cover?
yeah i have to admit i hardly glanced at the back till you mentioned it, that was cool. And I feel you, it seemed to me that Tambu's insensitivity came on rather abruptly in the end of Nervous and it is unexpected to have seen it so prolifically in this novel. I wonder what that to Dangarembga in the like 12 years in between the novels that would shade her character so.
ReplyDelete*I wonder what happened to Dangarembga in the last 12 years or so..*
ReplyDelete