Customer Reviews

Songs to an African Sunset: A Zimbabwean Story

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I took someone's advice in reading this book. I liked it a lot; it was helpful in understanding the AIDS health issues in southern Africa, as well as cultural, and political situations. My teenaged daughter wrote an excellent school report and radio dramatization based partly on reading this book. I heartily recommend the book to anyone trying to understand more about the country of Zimbabwe and its struggles today.

I found this book to be very very interesting! It's a great insight into how the Zimbabwean people manage to combine their traditional ways in the modern world - and the ensuing problems that arise.

This is one woman's story who returns to her birth country after living in western society. Her insights into the differences (and similarities) between Africa and the West are enlightening.

A fantastic read which combines reality and history!

I experienced many different emotions while reading this book. Oftentimes, I found humor where it wasn't expected--the author's 1000 brick punishment for the man who had stolen her bedspread, the feminist caricatures, as well as, the antics at the baby shower (who'da thunk it? ). Similarly, I was also discouraged where it wasn't expected--the medical student who wanted to marry the author's, likely HIV+, sister-in-law (discouraged because if he didn't understand/care about the risk he was taking, how could any of his other relatives?). Furthermore, I was also unpleasantly surprised at the author's depiction of rampant infidelity in the book.

Finally, I particularly enjoyed the stories about the author's mother. She appears to be a particularly savvy and strong woman. Specifically, I found the story of her first beer quite remarkable.

Overall, I've assumed this book to be, like "I, Rigoberta Menchu," auto-biographical in nature and non-fiction that's *based on* the truth of a people. Unfortunately, I don't know if that's a good assumption.

The complex journey back to Sekai's roots in this autobiography, begins with her taking a trip back to Zimbabwe to visit her family. The book revolves mainly around the events that happen to her and around herin Zimbabwe. I think that the theme of the book is really re-discovering your roots, and finding your true heritage. I found this book to be very easy to relate to, as i am familiar with the land of Zimbabwe and some of the phrases and words used in the book. Many of these elements are the foundation of Sekai's complex story, which captures your attention instantly.
My only critisism about the book is that sometimes the author goes so deeply into a subject, that she gets slightly off track. I personally was drawn into the book by the authors use of catchy sentences and complex ideas that made me want to keep reading.
In conclusion, I'd recomend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story with a cultural and ethnic flare to it.

This book gave me a front row seat in an African village. I could smell the food and hear the sounds of her homeland.

I enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to everyone. I think that those who have visited that region will especially appreciate this book. The stories will immediately immerse you a into Zimbabwean way of life.

Nzenza retuns to Zimbabwe after many years abroad in Australia. She brings with her a husband and child. As they learn the ropes of Zimbabwe and meet her extended family in the village, Nzenza id dealing with family members that are either dying or have died, most from AIDS. It is a touching book, composed of seperate tales, but connected stories.

She speaks very clearly of her appreciation of the village and her love for the people there. At the same time she speaks from the knowledge that she can not return to live there, having spent too much time in Western cities with conveniences that the village lacks. I enjoyed the portraits of the village she paints and could easily see the picture she laid out.

The stories of AIDS and it's debilitating effect on Zimbabwean life was saddening. I can only hope future portraits can touch on a Zimbabwe that has conquered this disease.

Nzenza is one of our women who went to the West, but realized she belong in soil of her people, the beautiful country of Africa. She reccounts how much misery the West has brought t Africa, but is able to rediscover true African life, family traditions, witchcraft, etc. She has come back to her truly natural life and the place where she belong to, the earth that nurtured us for all generations, our true mother. Brothers and Sisters, you can't miss reading her experience if you don't feel like this. Read and feel. And I became very emotional when reading that book. Speak to our African hart, sister Sekai.

I think the subject matter has potential- an african female expatriate coming back home (Zim) after life in the 'West'. Unfortunately, the writing feels very disjointed and uninspiring. I also got the sort of nagging feeling I get reading national geographic or hearing someone on tv talk about 'Africa'. Her gaze on her own culture just felt somewhat imperialistic/euro-centric. This is not because she criticizes certain aspects of her country (after all, such Nigerian greats like Chinua Achebe, Soyinka, Helon Habila, Ngozi Adichie, etc., do that- self-reflection is needed!), but because her character/her voice in this book feels insincere. For one thing, I was not impressed with her husband. If none of his friends (or himself for that matter) understand her african centeredness, why is she with him in the first place?
So I think the writing is not-so-great, the subject matter is interesting but not covered critically and reflectively (if that's a word) enough, and I almost wonder why she wrote this book.