Nervous Conditions PDF book by Tsitsi Dangarembga is a semi-autobiographical novel first published in 1989, by the Women’s Press in London. It has become an iconic piece of African literature and one of the most widely acclaimed African novels of all time.
The novel revolves around the life of a young woman, Tambu, who is growing up in Zimbabwe before and during its struggle for independence from colonial rule. It focuses on the theme of gender inequality in African society and how it affects female characters’ outlooks on life.
It has also been praised for its insight into race, poverty, and violence prevalent in many post-colonial countries. The novel has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into multiple languages including French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. The book is available in paperback format as well as in digital formats such as eBooks and audiobooks.
Table of Contents
Nervous Conditions Summary
The book starts with the story of Tambu, a young girl living in Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe) with her family. She lives in an oppressive patriarchal society and struggles to rise above the expectations placed upon her as a woman. Her father passes away leaving her mother alone to support their family.
Tambu’s older brother Nhamo is sent to school, while she stays at home and takes care of the family. She longs for an education of her own but is not allowed to due to her gender. Tambu eventually finds a way to get access to education by agreeing to take care of her aunt’s daughter Nyasha. Nyasha has grown up in England and is now returning to Rhodesia for a visit. She is rebellious and outspoken, which her family finds threatening.
Tambu struggles to keep up with Nyasha’s education as she has never been schooled before. While staying with her aunt Baby and uncle Babamukuru, Tambu also becomes aware of the racism and class divisions of Rhodesia’s society. Nyasha is also exposed to this and struggles to come to terms with how different her life at home in England is compared to her life in Zimbabwe.
Details of Nervous Conditions Book
| Book | Nervous Conditions |
| Author | Tsitsi Dangarembga |
| Original language | English |
| Originally published | 1988 |
| Category | Bildungsroman |
| Publisher | The Women's Press |
| Total Pages | 204 |
| Format | PDF, ePub |
Multiple Languages Editions of Nervous Condition Book
Nervous Conditions book has been translated into numerous languages, including French, German, Spanish, and Dutch. The English translation was published in 1989 by Heinemann Publishing House.
| Book Editions | Check Now |
|---|---|
| English | Check Price |
About the Author
Tsitsi Dangarembga is a Zimbabwean author and filmmaker. She was born in 1959 in Mutare, Rhodesia (now known as eastern Zimbabwe). Dangarembga wrote her first novel, Nervous Conditions, in 1988.
She start his career as an actor and went on to become one of the first female filmmakers in Zimbabwe. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Cambridge University and began writing her first novel, Nervous Conditions when she returned to Zimbabwe in 1985.
In an interview with the Zimbabwean newspaper, The Herald, Dangarembga stated that she wrote Nervous Conditions in order to explore and express her own struggles as a young girl growing up in an African country. She wanted to show the world her experience of living in a colonial society and its effects on African women.
Nervous Conditions PDF Free Download
If you are looking for a pdf file of the Nervous Conditions book, it is available here for free to download. Just click on the download button below to save it.
Similar Books to Nervous Conditions Book
- The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta
- We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo
- Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- The Book of Memory by Petina Gappah
- Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta
- Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- An Elephant in the Room by Rayda Jacobs
FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the main theme of Nervous Conditions?
The main theme of Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga is the struggle for autonomy, identity, and self-expression within the framework of colonialism and patriarchy.
What is the climax of Nervous Conditions?
The climax of Nervous Conditions occurs when Tambu discovers the truth about her family’s history and realizes the power of education in allowing her to write her own story.
What happens at the end of Nervous Conditions?
At the end of Nervous Conditions, Tambu is confronted with the reality that education does not guarantee equal opportunities and rights for women.
What is the setting of Nervous Conditions?
The setting of Nervous Conditions is Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in the 1960s. The novel takes place over a span of several years, mostly in the rural village of Nyasha.
What is the genre of the Nervous Conditions book?
The genre of Nervous Conditions is African Literature, with elements of social realism and coming-of-age drama.
