The Book of Not by Tsitsi Dangarembga - 4 stars

[Joy D]

The Book of Not by Tsitsi Dangarembga - 4* - My Review

The Book of Not is the second book in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions trilogy. The storyline continues protagonist Tambudzai “Tambu” Sigauke’s life story. Set in colonial Rhodesia, Tambu is attending the Young Ladies College of the Sacred Heart, an elite, predominantly white missionary boarding school, where the promise of education is undermined by systemic racism. It is set in the 1970s during the Zimbabwean War of Liberation, which sought to end white minority rule in Rhodesia, and eventually led to Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. Dangarembga weaves this historical context into Tambu's personal narrative.

The tone of this book is less optimistic than its predecessor. It follows Tambu’s educational experiences, which include multiple disappointments, bullying and harassment, and an increasing sense of invisibility. Tambu is motivated to excel but finds it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain the recognition she desires (and deserves). The novel reveals how the educational system is designed to reinforce colonial hierarchies, despite its ostensible integration. It then follows Tambu into the workplace, where her boss takes credit for her work.

It is told in first person from Tambu’s perspective, which allows intimate access to her thoughts and feelings. As indicated in the title, Tambu is defined more by what she is not than by what she is, but she demonstrates remarkable inner strength. It is a difficult book to “enjoy” due to its focus on self-negation, but it exposes the myth of meritocracy and the deep psychological damage that often results. It challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about how systems of oppression function and the devastating impact they can have on individual identity and self-worth, which remains relevant in today’s world. I recommend reading these books in sequential order and look forward to the final book in the trilogy, This Mournable Body.