Shameless

by Futhi Ntshingila

Novel - weaved around a prostitute

Genres: Africa

Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Paul Lothane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a prostitute, a woman of the night who somehow does not have feelings of guilt or worthlessness despite what she does; believing she's some sort of therapy for her (mostly) grateful male clientele. The author should be commended for the way she convincingly portrays the major female protagonists of this work: Thandiwe (the prostitute), Zonke, and Kwena (film-maker).

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the story of Thandiwe is told through Zonke. It starts at the end whereThandiwe is in hospital with a gunshot wound to the neck and is visited by Zonke who then zigzags back and forth, through the past and present, bringing us to how the Thandiwe's story ended.

"Shameless"...what a loaded, heavy title. Futhi wrote this story with the bravado Thandiwe possessed. No airs and Grace's about it. No sugar-coating the unrealised dreams of most black women post-1994. Those of us with tertiary qualifications were alive with the possibilities Affirmative Action and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment will bring to our lives making manifest dreams of houses, sanitation, free quality healthcare, free education to us township folk. The frequent defeaning sounds of "A better life for all" had us standing in the long queues under the baking sun voting for a difference in our lifetime. A pipedream for the majority of poor black people.

Futhi explores the repressive partriachal society we still live in. A society which still devalues the black woman. A society which black women still stifle and stunt the potential of a black child.

Very clever of Futhi to tell Thandiwe's story through 3 voices. The main story-teller is Zonke, later we get introduced to Kwena, who films a documentary of Thandiwe's life and then we get to hear Thandiwe's story from Thandiwe's point of view though their filming sessions. A sassy young woman, Thandiwe. Very brave and resourceful. Peddled affirmative action of a different kind. Made questionable choices and let go of a great opportunity because she didn't want to be "the token black". I found that action very extreme. I would've made a different choice and fought from within. A fighter of note this Thandiwe.

Well written. Easy to read. A pause and reflect kind of book. I found Zonke's going back to her village, having left a decade or so ago, very brave. I still have places I have not been to due to childhood trauma. Their going back to the river, Mvubukazi, was such a spiritual journey for Thandiwe and I think that it brought them, Zonke and Thandiwe, full circle.

Through this story, Futhi demonstrated that a teachable spirit can get you so much closer to your dreams. Kwena met Thandiwe with the idea of "interviewing some pussy seller" but left an inspired and empowered person with both fingers on the pulse of her dreams.

I enjoyed this story so much. Very inspirational. I'd highly recommend it for teens and young adults.

[Boitshepo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of Thandiwe, who works as a prostitute, is told from the pov of Zonke and Kwena.

Zonke is Thandiwe's childhood friend, and Kwena is a filmmaker who finds Thandiwe on the streets of Yeoville, and by a stroke of luck they strike an agreement wherein Thandiwe agrees to be Kwena's study on Thandiwe's life as a prostitute.

Zonke, on the other hand, relates the story of growing up with Thandiwe in the villages in the 80s in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

The novel is short, and while reading I thought that the author writes like a journalist. I found out at the end that she actually used to be one. It's a potentially eye-opening read depending on what one has been exposed to, though a bit vague. I wished it could have been longer to allow the reader to develop a stronger relationship with the characters. It read like a reported true account more than it did like a novel.

I wouldn't dismiss it though. Plus it's a quick read which I also imagine teens in high school having an interesting time dissecting in class.

Oh and, the title of the book refers to how Thandiwe feels about her career so maybe people who are judgy towards prostitutes would do well to read this. Although, some may come out more judgy when they look at how Thandiwe came to choose this trade.

I personally hate that people see prostitution as something to forgive if a person had no other option. And that one cannot choose to choose it. Thandiwe gives them the middle finger.

[Leke Giwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book with haunting ideas; for example when the character, Kwena reflects on later in the book: “She said Thandiwe had taught her to push past her fears and her shame – shame about her career and her choices, her life, friends and family – and be the best possible person she could be…the shameless ones are free from illusions. They have mourned the loss of innocence. They choose survival in the periphery”

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky to be introduced to the author and this book at the recent World Conference for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The book describes the lives of three young South African Ladies. It was an interesting read and provided a couple of new pieces to the puzzle that is post-apartheid South Africa.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.