Nervous Conditions Summary
Tsitsi Dangarembga

Nervous Conditions Summary

Set in white-dominated Rhodesia of the 1960's, Tambu begins her story by talking about her brother's trip to and from mission school each day. She says that he complains about the trip - especially the two-mile walk from the bus station to their home - and that she could talk endlessly about all there was to do during that walk and how much she loved it. Children, including Tambu, were seldom restricted and were allowed to swim in the pools.

Tambu is the oldest daughter and the second oldest child of Ma'Shingayi and Babamukuru. Her uncle, known to Tambu as Babamukuru, is the patriarch of the family and is an important benefactor, providing money, food and education for Tambu's immediate family. The family is obliged to show earnest gratitude for the gifts, and Tambu believes her uncle to be as near an angel as an earthly person can be.... View more of the Nervous Conditions Summary