The Hairdresser of Harare
Like very good dark chocolate this is a delicious novel, with a bitter-sweet flavour.
Vimbai is a hairdresser, the best in Mrs Khumalo's salon, and she knows she is the queen on whom they all depend. Her situation is reversed when the good-looking, smooth-talking Dumisani joins them. However, his charm and desire to please slowly erode Vimbai's rancour and when he needs somewhere to live, Vimbai becomes his landlady. So, when Dumisani needs someone to accompany him to his brother's wedding to help smooth over a family upset, Vimbai obliges. Startled to find that this smart hairdresser is the scion of one of the wealthiest families in Harare, she is equally surprised by the warmth of their welcome; and it is their subsequent generosity which appears to foster the relationship between the two young people.
The ambiguity of this deepening friendship - used or embraced by Dumisani and Vimbai with different futures in mind - collapses in unexpected brutality when secrets and jealousies are exposed.
Written with delightful humour and a penetrating eye, The Hairdresser of Harare is a novel that you will find hard to put down.
ISBN 9781779221094 | 196 pages | 216 x 140 mm | 2010 | Weaver Press, Zimbabwe | Paperback
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Reviews
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‘... a subtle and refreshing story of life in contemporary Harare ... a novel of morality, prejudice and ambition told with humour and tragedy.’
- Brian Chikwava, author of Harare North
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"From the beginning The Hairdresser of Harare dives into a world so alive and full of feeling that it is hard to reconcile the image with that of dying Zimbabwe which is so often portrayed in the news...Tendai Huchu has crafted a wonderful novel out of a simple, yet emotionally complex situation. He is described as " a qualified podiatrist" – and it can safely be said that anyone who reads his work will hope that this future is focused solely on literary endeavours."
- Cape Argus, South Africa
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"When the rich and famous need the best hairdresser in Harare, they come to Vimbayi here at Makhumalo's Hair and Beauty Salon. Her secret is simple and taught to her by the master herself. A satisfied client, Mrs Khumalo keeps telling her staff, is one who walks out of the salon feeling like a white woman...A stunning debut, funny, dramatic with a powerful punch in the end."
- Drum, South Africa
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"Despite the heavy — and controversial — issues that The Hairdresser of Harare raises, it won’t be a book where the prose weighs you down; Tendai Huchu’s writing style is approachable and smooth."
- On a Book Bender
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"I absolutely loved this book! There is pure entertainment value in the book, the characters are unique and setting was painted richly by the author. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the political climate in Zimbabwe, a situation that hasn't been in the news recently."
- Panda Reads
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"The Hairdresser of Harare catapults us into the world of Zimbabwe’s elite society, where stereotypes and prejudices are as abundant as the lavishness. It tactfully tackles the issue of homosexuality that most African literature shies away from."
- Good Reads
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"When I agreed to review this book, I figured it would just be an interesting read. What I didn't expect is how much I would love the smooth writing style and humor that make up the story!"
- Bookerella
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"If you haven't read anything that might be classified as African Literature and want to start, then I recommend The Hairdresser of Harare. This was my first foray into this genre, as well as my first book by Mr. Huchu, and I hope it won't be my last for the genre and this author."
- The Book Diva's Reads
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"I devoured this book over the course of two days in a matter of hours, and am struggling to find any criticisms to level at it. This is a great piece of contemporary fiction."
- Booked Up
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"If you’re open to a different read, a literate story that explores difficult ideas and opinions, this is a book that’s well worth the read. It’s a refreshing addition to the bookshelf, and one that will leave you both entertained and enlightened."
- Bibrary, Book Lust
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"The book is really well written and I strongly recommend others to give it a read. It is much more mature than my usual YA genre, but I truly enjoyed it and wish more knew of this African jewel - it truly deserves much more attention."
- Borough of Books
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"The Hairdresser of Harare is written with a delightful light touch and the author's affection for his characters shines out. This is a wry and touching portrait of contemporary Zimbabwe, combining wit and depth, and it deserves the highest praise."
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- The New Internationalist
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"There is a strong element of witnessing to The Hairdresser of Harare—a desire to testify, perhaps, to how precarious life is for the marginalized of all kinds in Zimbabwe. Not just gay people, but young women, unwed mothers, people whose families and tribal affiliations are in conflict with the current ruling parties, poor people of all kinds. But it would be simplistic and do a disservice to the book to file it under the label of “what it is like to be gay in Zimbabwe.” It is the evolving nature of Vimbai and Dumi’s relationship that is at the core of the novel, the thread holds the story together. They come together, support each other, sometimes fight each other, sometimes even fail each other. It is not a simple relationship by any means, but Vimbai and Dumi are not simple people. And love, in whatever form and whatever the culture, is rarely a simple thing."
- Bibliobuffet.com
