Written in 1988 by South African writer Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions is a coming of age story for the narrator, Tambudzai. The oldest daughter of a native Shona family living in the British colony of Rhodesia during the 1960s, Tambudzai has her heart set on getting an education as a means of developing her independence. To achieve her goals Tambudzai, or Tambu, goes through the trials and tribulations associated with the autocratic authority exercised by the …showed first 75 words of 752 total…

…showed last 75 words of 752 total…little wonder why she sought other means of gaining independence and power. Although her style of writing was a bit difficult to follow at times, considering the subject matter - a woman fighting against dual oppressive systems - I understand how Dangarembga is considered one of the top female authors of all time. It is because of the adversity the characters in the novel experience that I believe this novel is aptly titled Nervous Conditions.