Blessing Musariri

Before I read this book, all I could honestly say that I knew about Zimbabwe was:
1. It is in Africa.
2. It is fun to say Zimbabwe.
3. I can spell it.

Now I know a teeny, tiny bit more. Realistically, what I know could fit on the point of a pin with room left over. But some of what I learned involved taking out time from reading to check out some things on YouTube. What The Great Zimbabwe is (reallying amazing historic site) and what it looks like. What sadza is (interesting) and how you cook show more it. What madore is (eeewwww) and how you cook it. How the Shona language sounds. What a Rhodesian Ridgeback looks like (it's a dog, yeah, I thought dragon, too, go figure.)

But what was also fun in the book was how similar spoiled teenagers are everywhere. Whiney, entitled, complaining, judgemental, resistant to parental advice, resistant to new experiences. OK. Not all of them and not all of the time, but these elements exist in all teenagers who are exploring the ins and outs of becoming responsible adults. Don't get me wrong. I adore teenagers. They have such a zest for life and watching them discover things for themselves (because they haven't yet learned the legitimacy of the "learn from the experiences of others because there's not enough time to make all the mistakes yourself" adage). Plus you can actually talk with teenagers because they have views and opinions and you can learn so much from them.

It was delightful to see what problems the kids in this story had and how they defined those problems. We see them learning the mistakes they made about this different environment and recognizing that some of their problems they may well have created themselves. I found myself wanting to call out "stop, stop, stop, you are being stupid and are going to get really hurt". Then comes smiling when the main character steps up to the plate to do the proper thing and her feeling the honor associated by others to it. And also smiling when her parents deservedly get their come-uppance.

Really excellent story. show less

Excellent narrative voice, but Meticais is so utterly annoying.