It is always
gratifying to see iconic African writers being consistent and prolific over the
decades with their striking publications. Ngugi and Soyinka easily come to mind
in respect of this. And of course the world class Tsitsi Dangarembga whose
early classic Nervous Conditions shook the literary world in 1988. Some 30
years later (last year) Tsitsi again published another work, This Mournable Body, the third in the
trilogy of the series. It is trite to note that the distinguished lady
always writes very well with tantalising imagination anchored on reality; hence
she does not disappoint with her latest offering (The book's title latches onto
one of Teju Cole's scintillating articles,) but of course this project is much
longer and focuses on protagonist Tambu's later life, in Zimbabwe to boot.
Despair, frustration and a lot of angst is her lot as one would expect from the
author. Yet the conclusion is not really sad. Thank heavens.
