The Hairdresser of Harare: A Novel (Modern African Writing Series)
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About this book
In this delicious and devastating first novel which The Guardian named one of its ten best contemporary African books Caine Prize finalist Tendai Huchu (The Maestro the Magistrate and the Mathematician) portrays the heart of contemporary Zimbabwean society with humor and grace. Vimbai is the best hairdresser in Mrs. Khumalos salon and she is secure in her status until the handsome smooth-talking Dumisani shows up one day for work. Despite her resistance the two become friends and eventually Vimbai becomes Dumisanis landlady. He is as charming as he is deft with the scissors and Vimbai finds that he means more and more to her. Yet by novels end the pairs deepening friendshipused or embraced by Dumisani and Vimbai with different futures in mindcollapses in unexpected brutality. The novel is an acute portrayal of a rapidly changing Zimbabwe. In addition to Vimbai and Dumisanis personal development the book shows us how social concerns shape the lives of everyday people.
