Book- Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter
Author-J. Nozipo Maraire
Genre- Epistolary Fiction, historical fiction
No of pages -208
Rating -4/5
Zenzele : A letter for my daughter is in the form of a letter from a Zimbabwean woman Shiri, addressed to her daughter Zenzele who leaves for Harvard.
Shiri shares her experiences growing up in an apartheid society. She also expresses her insecurities as a mother sending her daughter abroad. She acknowledges the generational divide between them but believes it is important to pass on the knowledge of their rich heritage to Zenzele.
Zenzele is as a headstrong girl who questions certain practices in her culture.
Shiri comes across as a gentle and loving mother. Though she didn’t participate in the freedom struggle, Shiri has a lot of wholesome stories to share.
The book has a poignant and reflective tone. The author’s writing transports the readers to rural Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) during apartheid.
I enjoyed reading about Shiri’s childhood and her encounters with the various characters who were part of the fight against apartheid.
Shiri’s letter speaks about the generation divide, a mother’s insecurities, racism, friendships,love and loss. The book’s central theme is African culture and how one is always connected to their roots no matter how far they travel.
This book celebrates African culture and reminds readers that no matter how far we travel, we carry our roots and history within us. Rather than distancing ourselves from them, it encourages us to embrace our cultural identity with pride.
-By Soul Sword-
The Writers Room 