The Convert

by Danai Gurira

A young Shona girl escapes an arranged marriage by converting to Christianity, becoming a servant and student to an African Evangelical. As anti-European sentiments spread throughout the native population, she is forced to choose between her family's traditions and her newfound faith.

Genres: Plays, Religion

112 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2018

Reviews

[Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing play. I was so glad I saw this in Chicago when I had the chance. Now it has been published in American Theatre (Sept 2013 edition). It is an amazing story of a young woman in Zimbabwe in 1895. Ester coverts to Christianity as it helps her avoid being married off to an elderly man in her village by her uncle. But she takes the teachings to heart in a very devout way. Set against the backdrop of rising tensions between the local people and their white colonizers, The Convert takes parts of the premise of Shaw's Pygmalion and breaks your heart in ways that great art is wont to do. See it; read it; love it. And become familiar with the character Prudence--a great role of a middle aged, educated and cultivated black woman that should be studied and performed at length. A great voice contributing to the dynamics of this wonderful script.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in colonial Zimbabwe, this play tells the story of a young girl who forsakes her native culture and identity to teach the message of the Bible. The narrative is gripping and unpredictable, filled with fascinatingly complex characters. The idea of exactly who the convert is, and who is responsible for the conversation, is open to interpretation throughout the play. I saw this at The Young Vic and the production was nothing short of extraordinary- would recommend getting a ticket while it is still on!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished the play The Convert by Danai Gurira for my college alumni reading group. It centers on a young woman in late-1890s southern Africa, in a region being colonized by Cecil Rhodes. One technique of the colonizers was conversion of local people to Christianity. The protagonist, newly named Ester, becomes a house servant and then a convert under the direction of a fellow African villager who has ambitions in the new church. Resistance by the Zimbabwean people leads to conflict with converts as collaborators with the dominant British colonizers. The author, Gurira, has become well known as an actor in such productions as The Walking Dead and Black Panther. She was raised in modern-day Zimbabwe and imparts the story with much local detail. I generally prefer to watch a play rather than read its script, but the story was powerful enough to take me along to the end.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this play. It is set in Zimbabwe in 1895 and, as the author states in the September 2013 issue of "American Theatre Magazine", "navigates colonial, religious, cultural, traditional and gender issues". And yet it doesn't feel at all heavy-handed, just a bunch of fascinating, complex characters living their lives. My sympathies kept switching and I love that in a play. Danai Guria is particularly impressive to me insofar as she also holds an MFA in acting form Tisch. To see someone working at such a high level in two disciplines at age 35 is incredibly inspiring to me. My only regret in this play is there isn't a role I can play.

[Francesca Calarco · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Did you know that Okoye is a brilliant playwright?’ is now my go-to opening line at gatherings and fancy shindigs, and The Convert is the reason why. This is such an amazing play, perhaps even better than the stellar Eclipsed. Admittedly, I have not seen any of Danai Gurira’s work performed live (yet), but her talent as a writer makes reading her scripts more than worthwhile.

Taking place in 1896 in what is now present-day Rhodesia, we are introduced to a community in flux. The story opens with protagonist Jekesai fleeing her uncle who wants to marry her off as the tenth wife to a much older man. With the help of her aunt Mai Tamba, she is able to find solace with Chilford, a man on a mission to spread Christianity to her village. In addition, she receives employment, education, and a new name – Esther.

Esther embraces Christianity, finding Chilford and Jesus to be her saviors. But in this time and place, Christianity arrived hand-in-hand with colonialism, so this dynamic is where the real narrative tension begins. More than anything, this is a story about navigating changing power structures. Whether adhering to African tradition or western Christianity, the only constant seems to be that there is no discernible place (or path) for an intelligent black woman.

Whether it be the traditionally resourceful Mai Tamba, or the extensively educated Prudence, the women in this tale are seldom respected or even acknowledged, neither by society nor the men in their lives. Not to over simplify though, Gurira’s characters are all vibrant and multilayered, and each one provides an important perspective that helps drive the story.

I’d write more, but instead I’ll just say you should read or see this play and decide for yourself.

Rating: 4.5 stars

[Anna Štádlerová · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first "truly African" (written by a contemporary African author) book I read, and I am tempted to give it more stars just because it was so interesting to me, so new and different from what I am used to read. But if I am really trying to be objective here, the characters are a bit shallow and I couldn't get rid of the feeling that though the play is provides really interesting insight into the life of 19th century Zimbabweans, it is kind of lacking a real depth... Maybe it's just because of the characters, who in my viewpoint are nothing but "types" - there is the anachronistically emancipated feminist, the firm black believer in the good of white man, the opportunistic capitalist, the old woman who still believes in pagan gods... And the convert. No real people, just types.
Still, I am glad I read this. Also it's a super thin book, definitely readable in one day, so if you're interested in African literature, go for it.

[Laura Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unsurprisingly, in Danai Gurira’s 'The Convert,' her characters' circumstances and choices are complex, not to mention almost unimaginable. This play focuses on colonialism in Africa as well as religion. I am amazed by Ms. Gurira. How she finds time to write incredible plays alongside time-consuming projects such as 'Black Panther' and 'The Walking Dead' is beyond me!

[Nastia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guadalupe Reinas 2018 - Obra de teatro

[Juliet Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

powerful play

Extraordinary reality of the history of colonial Africa. I can see why this is on the A-level specification. Would love to see this at the threats.

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a black actor or actress looking for good scenes look no further.
The Convert has powerful two person scenes.

[Tom Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that I wasn't sure who to root for.

[Katie B-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thought provoking. Not sure what else to say yet.

Macalester Alumni Book Club December 2018.