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Le meilleur coiffeur de Harare
Vimbai règne sur le salon de coiffure de Mme Khumala, jusqu'au jour où débarque le génial Dumi. Jalousie, colère, et bientôt attirance se succèdent dans cette comédie de classe extraordinairement vivante. Tendai Huchu réussit un portrait magistral et énergique d'un Zimbabwe rongé par la corruption et l'inflation.
Tendai Huchu est né en 1982 au Zimbabwe et vit aujourd'hui en Écosse. Le meilleur coiffeur de Harare est son premier roman.
« Pour être une coiffeuse prisée, il n'y a qu'un secret : lorsqu'elle quitte le salon, votre cliente doit avoir la sensation d'être Blanche. »
Tendai Huchu est né en 1982 au Zimbabwe et vit aujourd'hui en Écosse. Le meilleur coiffeur de Harare est son premier roman.
« Pour être une coiffeuse prisée, il n'y a qu'un secret : lorsqu'elle quitte le salon, votre cliente doit avoir la sensation d'être Blanche. »
301 pages, Pocket Book
First published October 12, 2010
104 people are currently reading
6254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 489 reviews
March 13, 2016
This book wasn't at all what I expected. The first half of the book gave a very good idea what everyday life is like in Harare and that was the best thing about it, however the story was being milked with a twist that was obvious from the start. It dragged on it seemed like forever. I was waiting for something to happen. Finally when the mystery is revealed to the main character, she reacts badly and does something that is just mean and spiteful. As a result the consequences are tragic. I'm not really sure what the author was trying to say with this book. On lighter note, it's a quick read but the writing style is nothing to write home about. I think I'll try his second novel to see if it is any better. I wouldn't especially recommend this book. It's just ok.
August 14, 2013
The Hairdresser of Harare had a Nollywood feel that was refreshing to see in literature form. with the high drama, the wahala, the women gossiping, etc. It was easy reading; I started and didn't want to stop. This book also reminded me of the Aya series, in that it was was in a part of Africa (Zimbabwe), did not pretend that Africa didn't have problems, yet showed everyday life (i.e. not war, disease, and horrible death) and focused on everyday issues. I loved this, and it drew me in. And it's another book (like Chimamanda's Americanah) where I loathed the main character, and that was cool. It's in first person, so it's an even more interesting exercise in perspective. Plot-wise, I could see the ending from a mile away. The prose was a bit amateur and there were sections that felt repetitive or useless, but the story flowed well enough. This book is pretty short but good fun.
November 25, 2016
I don't know how to feel about this. I was enjoying the story so much & then it just fell flat for me. The whole book was building towards the "big twist" of the story (which after a while I could predict), and then after the twist was revealed, it was like the story had nowhere else to go or nothing more to offer, like the entire story was crafted around that twist instead of the other way around. The writing style was okay, but only just. Did I like the narrator? Small. And even less after what she does to Dumi when she discovers his secret. It could've been better as a love story but that obviously wasn't what the author wanted. The end was rushed and I don't even see the point of it. The scenes and setting are colourful, though. All in all, I'm annoyed that a book that was 5-star (in my mind) for 75% of the way managed to turn to this in the last quarter.
September 2, 2015
I almost gave it five stars but because it was obvious what was happening, I think really a 4.5. Wonderful use of language though some words are African. Usually either they are explained or easy to figure out. It's a really good book about all kinds of love, some kinds of hate. Zimbabwe is a country being destroyed by the very leaders brought to power by the fight for independence. There are shortages of everything. The money is devalued every day. The government ministers have thugs to handle problems to their power or electability. But, this book is about the government only as it touches & rides over human rights. Mostly it's about a beautiful unwed mother whose daughter is a charmer. The father is a creep and out of the picture most of the time. Her life is poor and she does the best she can with what little she has. There are family feuds and healing and broken hearts. Also it's about hairdressing, kindness and prejudice and her handsome rich hair-dressing coworker and their relationship. The book is enjoyable entertaining educational and definitely worth reading. I expect to and I hope to hear more from this young author.
May 28, 2019
آثار صرفا رئالیستی چندان با سلیقه ی من جور نیستند. من از ادبیات داستانی، چیزی بیش تر از عکاسی از محیط پیرامون شان انتظار دارم.
این رمان کوتاه هم از همین نوع آثار است.
اما چرا باید این کتاب را خواند؟
متاسفانه ذهن ما پر از کلیشه هایی درباره ی مردمان دیگر شهرها و کشورهاست.
همه ما آفریقا را به سرزمینی با کشورهایی تا سرحد گرسنگی فقیر و جنگ زده با دست های پر از جانوران جورواجور می شناسیم.
اما در اینجا با نویسنده ای روبرو هستیم که داستانی از آفریقایی دیگر برایمان روایت می کند.
زیمباوه ای که بعد از انقلابش، درست مثل کشور خودمان درگیر مشکلات اقتصادی و معیشتی، فساد سیاستمداران، مشکلات شهرنشینی و .... می باشد؛
تصویری بشدت معاصر و زنده و پر کشش،از آفریقای امروز.
این رمان کوتاه هم از همین نوع آثار است.
اما چرا باید این کتاب را خواند؟
متاسفانه ذهن ما پر از کلیشه هایی درباره ی مردمان دیگر شهرها و کشورهاست.
همه ما آفریقا را به سرزمینی با کشورهایی تا سرحد گرسنگی فقیر و جنگ زده با دست های پر از جانوران جورواجور می شناسیم.
اما در اینجا با نویسنده ای روبرو هستیم که داستانی از آفریقایی دیگر برایمان روایت می کند.
زیمباوه ای که بعد از انقلابش، درست مثل کشور خودمان درگیر مشکلات اقتصادی و معیشتی، فساد سیاستمداران، مشکلات شهرنشینی و .... می باشد؛
تصویری بشدت معاصر و زنده و پر کشش،از آفریقای امروز.
April 23, 2012
The Hairdresser of Harare, is a touching story written in the voice of Vimbai, probably the "best" hairdresser in Harare. All ladies who have a standing in society visit the salon of Mrs. Khumalo to be served by the kind, attractive, professional Vimbai. Then, one day, a charming, gorgeously looking young man walks into the salon and, enchanting the owner and the customers present, is hired on the spot. It needed just one of Dumisani's creative hair arrangements for Vimbai's life to change forever. Two competing approaches to African hairdressing emerge: "He makes women feel great as women", not giving them the illusion to be like white women. Is that what Vimbai has been doing? Can two styles co-exist, and, more importantly, can the two hairdressers work things out between them? And who is Dumisani, the mystery man? Tendai Huchu keeps his story telling light and easygoing, with a good dose of humour and irony, as he explores the increasingly complex situation at the salon, its customers and suppliers, and, in flashback's, fills in the backstory for Vimbai and her competitor.
The Hairdresser of Harare is for me first of all a human interest story centred on one young woman's determination to look after herself and her young daughter in current day Zimbabwe. On top of her daily struggle to get by, she has to confront unexpected challenges that call into question her self-confidence, her relationships and, most importantly, her world view. All that makes the book a very engaging and meaningful read. Her situation and background are very convincingly captured and can be interpreted easily as an excellent illustration of the struggle many young women face in Harare, in Zimbabwe, and elsewhere in Africa. Yet, there is more to the novel. Set against the difficult political, economic and societal conditions in the country, Huchu very effectively weaves his astute social commentary into the intimate account of Vimbai, without overwhelming the reader or slowing down the emerging drama that will take Vimbai completely by surprise. Love and loyalties are challenged and Vimbai will have to face the consequences of her actions. Huchu succeeds in bringing his range of characters to life and, above all, he creates an authentic voice with Vimbai.
The book's publicity reveals, in my opinion, too much of one central dramatic component of the novel, however important it for the characters involved. To me it is an important integral part of the narrative flow of the story that is better discovered by the reader in due course. This review is based on an electronic copy of the novel provided to me by the author. The views in my review are my completely my own.
The Hairdresser of Harare is for me first of all a human interest story centred on one young woman's determination to look after herself and her young daughter in current day Zimbabwe. On top of her daily struggle to get by, she has to confront unexpected challenges that call into question her self-confidence, her relationships and, most importantly, her world view. All that makes the book a very engaging and meaningful read. Her situation and background are very convincingly captured and can be interpreted easily as an excellent illustration of the struggle many young women face in Harare, in Zimbabwe, and elsewhere in Africa. Yet, there is more to the novel. Set against the difficult political, economic and societal conditions in the country, Huchu very effectively weaves his astute social commentary into the intimate account of Vimbai, without overwhelming the reader or slowing down the emerging drama that will take Vimbai completely by surprise. Love and loyalties are challenged and Vimbai will have to face the consequences of her actions. Huchu succeeds in bringing his range of characters to life and, above all, he creates an authentic voice with Vimbai.
The book's publicity reveals, in my opinion, too much of one central dramatic component of the novel, however important it for the characters involved. To me it is an important integral part of the narrative flow of the story that is better discovered by the reader in due course. This review is based on an electronic copy of the novel provided to me by the author. The views in my review are my completely my own.
November 16, 2018
A sad and, (for anyone living in the west) obvious, story of life under the existing prejudices in much of sub Saharan Africa. Primarily a tale of a single, hard working mother who has had some lucky breaks (a home in a good area left to her by her brother) whose interaction with an odd colleague changes her life. What is odd to her is clear to us from page one.
We are given a look at the necessities of survival in Harare - the sort of benign: this trade for that - this wee bit of corruption for that “favor”- this bit of greasy palm for that “official” document - this wad of bills for that place in line. Lamentably, we also see the worst of that corruption, the malignant: how the rationalization for staying in power leads to the worst in people. This IS Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, after all, complete with two appearances by Auntie Grace herself, at her very best.
Colonization has infected (my opinion) much of Africa with right-wing, evangelical, dollar-driven, conditional “Christian” antipathies; some of which have found their way into laws resulting in the death penalty for gays and lesbians. Predictably, heartbreak and duplicity must accompany any existence or attempt at a complete life for this 10% of humanity under this oppression. And it does.
This is an inch deep look into a 2 foot subject. But ?true to Zimbabwe? wadoiknow? Perhaps.
We are given a look at the necessities of survival in Harare - the sort of benign: this trade for that - this wee bit of corruption for that “favor”- this bit of greasy palm for that “official” document - this wad of bills for that place in line. Lamentably, we also see the worst of that corruption, the malignant: how the rationalization for staying in power leads to the worst in people. This IS Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, after all, complete with two appearances by Auntie Grace herself, at her very best.
Colonization has infected (my opinion) much of Africa with right-wing, evangelical, dollar-driven, conditional “Christian” antipathies; some of which have found their way into laws resulting in the death penalty for gays and lesbians. Predictably, heartbreak and duplicity must accompany any existence or attempt at a complete life for this 10% of humanity under this oppression. And it does.
This is an inch deep look into a 2 foot subject. But ?true to Zimbabwe? wadoiknow? Perhaps.
April 6, 2017
You can read a dozen nonfiction books about Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe’s kleptocracy and fail to get a more vivid sense of what life is really like there than from this recent novel by Tendai Huchu. In one short work of fiction, Huchu conjures up the sad reality of day-to-day existence in that beleaguered country: the 90 percent unemployment, the ubiquitous corruption, the hyperinflation, the ever-present shortages, the barely functional electricity service, the vicious eviction of white Africans from their farms and businesses, the rabid homophobia. The people of resource-rich Zimbabwe are among the world’s most poverty-stricken, and average life expectancy in their country is thirty-seven, but what does that really mean for the way they live their lives, day after day? The Hairdresser of Harare opens up a window on that steadily unfolding tragedy.
Here is Huchu summing up this reality: “I felt an atmosphere of friendliness, violence, innovation, poverty, joy, but the only thing that hung over everything else was despair; an air of hopelessness as if everyone was in a pit that they could not climb out of.”
Set in the capital city, Harare, and revolving around the hairdressers who eke out a living from a beauty salon, The Hairdresser is the first-person account of a talented beautician named Sisi Vimbai. As a teenager, Vimbai was impregnated by her Sugar Daddy, a wealthy businessman who quickly grew distant soon after she gave birth to a daughter. Now nearly twenty-six, with a ten-year-old to support, Vimbai is on the verge of desperation when a new threat arises: a handsome young man of twenty-two named Dumi has displaced her as the salon’s most sought-after hairdresser. The novel spins out the tale of Vimbai and Dumi’s growing relationship.
Since writing The Hairdresser of Harare, which appeared in 2010, Huchu has published a second novel, The Maestro, the Magistrate, and the Mathematician. A native of Zimbabwe, he now lives in Scotland and is employed as a podiatrist.
Here is Huchu summing up this reality: “I felt an atmosphere of friendliness, violence, innovation, poverty, joy, but the only thing that hung over everything else was despair; an air of hopelessness as if everyone was in a pit that they could not climb out of.”
Set in the capital city, Harare, and revolving around the hairdressers who eke out a living from a beauty salon, The Hairdresser is the first-person account of a talented beautician named Sisi Vimbai. As a teenager, Vimbai was impregnated by her Sugar Daddy, a wealthy businessman who quickly grew distant soon after she gave birth to a daughter. Now nearly twenty-six, with a ten-year-old to support, Vimbai is on the verge of desperation when a new threat arises: a handsome young man of twenty-two named Dumi has displaced her as the salon’s most sought-after hairdresser. The novel spins out the tale of Vimbai and Dumi’s growing relationship.
Since writing The Hairdresser of Harare, which appeared in 2010, Huchu has published a second novel, The Maestro, the Magistrate, and the Mathematician. A native of Zimbabwe, he now lives in Scotland and is employed as a podiatrist.
March 28, 2017
I wanted to like this book so much. With it being February and all, and my having made a conscious choice to only read black authors as part of Black History Month, I was excited to read something a little bit breezier. I can't honestly remember how I first came across Huchu's The Hairdresser of Harare, though my gut feeling was that it must have caught my eye in a Kindle sale. The premise sounded interesting enough, but sadly it just didn't deliver.
The story follows Vimbai, a single mother from Harare, Zimbabwe, who is the self-proclaimed number one hairdresser in the city. Her skills are such that she can afford tardiness in her job and her presence in Mrs Khumalo's salon is enough to guarantee the clientele. Until one day a man named Dumisani joins the shop and, with skills matching (if not surpassing) Vimbai's, slowly starts to undermine her position. However, when he moves into her spare bedroom as a lodger and asks her to attend his brother's wedding, Vimbai is propelled into a world she never thought imaginable and finds herself falling in love with Dumi. However, there is more to him than meets the eye and the truth will change everything forever.
The Hairdresser of Harare is not my first foray into Zimbabwean writing. Last year's We Need New Names was delightful, interesting and filled with a colourful cast of characters. In contrast, I found Vimbai to be a stilted, awkward narrator. Her comments on those around her are disparaging and shallow and it felt, at times, as if Huchu were deliberately trying to make me dislike her. The supporting characters are quite one-dimensional and the way the chapters end feels so abrupt and unnatural. At times, it felt as if I were reading a click-bait title and unless the book was released in an episodic bursts, I genuinely became more and more irritated with it. Yes, Vimbai I'm sure what happened next will completely shock me! Other scenes feel abrupt and end without any resolution, as if Huchu had forgotten what it was that he wanted to talk about. And then, there is the (majorly telegraphed) "twist", if you can call it that.
The ending, when it comes, is so abrupt that I was a little bit confused to realise it had actually ended. There is barely any resolution and it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. What ultimately happened to Dumi and Vimbai? What about Vimbai's relationship with Dumi's parents? The frustration I felt at the end was enough to pretty much knock a whole star off on the rating. Ultimately, the book is merely okay. It's not that funny, it doesn't tell you anything new about Zimbabwe if you're even remotely familiar with politics in the region (if anything, it seems to reinforce the worst ideas of it) and the characters are all shallow, bland, forgettable and completely interchangeable. I had genuinely hoped that Huchu would treat the subject matter differently, but instead I just got some mealie mush. Definitely not for me.
The story follows Vimbai, a single mother from Harare, Zimbabwe, who is the self-proclaimed number one hairdresser in the city. Her skills are such that she can afford tardiness in her job and her presence in Mrs Khumalo's salon is enough to guarantee the clientele. Until one day a man named Dumisani joins the shop and, with skills matching (if not surpassing) Vimbai's, slowly starts to undermine her position. However, when he moves into her spare bedroom as a lodger and asks her to attend his brother's wedding, Vimbai is propelled into a world she never thought imaginable and finds herself falling in love with Dumi. However, there is more to him than meets the eye and the truth will change everything forever.
The Hairdresser of Harare is not my first foray into Zimbabwean writing. Last year's We Need New Names was delightful, interesting and filled with a colourful cast of characters. In contrast, I found Vimbai to be a stilted, awkward narrator. Her comments on those around her are disparaging and shallow and it felt, at times, as if Huchu were deliberately trying to make me dislike her. The supporting characters are quite one-dimensional and the way the chapters end feels so abrupt and unnatural. At times, it felt as if I were reading a click-bait title and unless the book was released in an episodic bursts, I genuinely became more and more irritated with it. Yes, Vimbai I'm sure what happened next will completely shock me! Other scenes feel abrupt and end without any resolution, as if Huchu had forgotten what it was that he wanted to talk about. And then, there is the (majorly telegraphed) "twist", if you can call it that.
The ending, when it comes, is so abrupt that I was a little bit confused to realise it had actually ended. There is barely any resolution and it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. What ultimately happened to Dumi and Vimbai? What about Vimbai's relationship with Dumi's parents? The frustration I felt at the end was enough to pretty much knock a whole star off on the rating. Ultimately, the book is merely okay. It's not that funny, it doesn't tell you anything new about Zimbabwe if you're even remotely familiar with politics in the region (if anything, it seems to reinforce the worst ideas of it) and the characters are all shallow, bland, forgettable and completely interchangeable. I had genuinely hoped that Huchu would treat the subject matter differently, but instead I just got some mealie mush. Definitely not for me.
November 30, 2020
“It’s difficult to stop loving someone, even when they have done something that you once thought unforgivable. There isn’t an on off switch for love.”
Would you agree?
Tendai Huchu’s “The Hairdresser of Harare” asks us difficult questions like these. In this short, easy novel we see Zimbabwe and its people through the eyes of Vimbai, Harare’s star hairdresser. Until she is ousted from her perch by Dumisani, a young, cocky dude who walks in from nowhere. Dumisani quickly gains Vimbai’s hatred, and then friendship, and eventually love. But things are not what they seem.
This was a refreshingly different book that showed me the daily lives Harare residents through their struggles, and the prevalent class differences. The corruption, the politics, and the cultural contexts that made up Zimbabwe came alive in this novel.
One of the most vivid portions in the novel was when Vimbai and Michelle bribe their way through snaking queues at the passport office to get Vimbai’s passport. In another instance, a policeman stops a kombi (minibuses) driver
“Help me to help you,” the officer said in the quietest of voices. That was all the prompting the driver needed… He took a large wad of banknotes and handed it to the policeman…”
Sounds familiar? It made me smile. Isn’t that what books do? Bring you closer to a culture and also show you how humanity is, after all, not so different wherever we may be?
Huchu’s writing is simple, interspersed with many African words to give a good grounding. I just wish it had been tighter, without some of the soap opera style sections. He builds up the suspense and leaves hints along the way, which are all too easy to decipher. I could see the ending a mile away.
But this book is not about the ending. It’s all about the journey.
A light read with enough relevance and courage to warrant a spot on your TBR.
Would you agree?
Tendai Huchu’s “The Hairdresser of Harare” asks us difficult questions like these. In this short, easy novel we see Zimbabwe and its people through the eyes of Vimbai, Harare’s star hairdresser. Until she is ousted from her perch by Dumisani, a young, cocky dude who walks in from nowhere. Dumisani quickly gains Vimbai’s hatred, and then friendship, and eventually love. But things are not what they seem.
This was a refreshingly different book that showed me the daily lives Harare residents through their struggles, and the prevalent class differences. The corruption, the politics, and the cultural contexts that made up Zimbabwe came alive in this novel.
One of the most vivid portions in the novel was when Vimbai and Michelle bribe their way through snaking queues at the passport office to get Vimbai’s passport. In another instance, a policeman stops a kombi (minibuses) driver
“Help me to help you,” the officer said in the quietest of voices. That was all the prompting the driver needed… He took a large wad of banknotes and handed it to the policeman…”
Sounds familiar? It made me smile. Isn’t that what books do? Bring you closer to a culture and also show you how humanity is, after all, not so different wherever we may be?
Huchu’s writing is simple, interspersed with many African words to give a good grounding. I just wish it had been tighter, without some of the soap opera style sections. He builds up the suspense and leaves hints along the way, which are all too easy to decipher. I could see the ending a mile away.
But this book is not about the ending. It’s all about the journey.
A light read with enough relevance and courage to warrant a spot on your TBR.
October 23, 2011
Vimbai, Harare's top hairdresser, is not happy when Dumi walks into Mrs. Khumalo's Hair Salon looking for a job. Dumi becomes a formidable opponent in the Hair Salon but also a good friend and a potential lover when he moves into the extra room in Vimbai's house.
Zimbabwe is not a country that I know a lot about so I was very excited to read this book. This book can be classified as light fiction but it does cover a lot of heavy topics. It covers some of the politics of Zimbabwe and the environment that the people of the country are dealing with. The people of Zimbabwe have a lot to worry about. Their economy is out of control. Unemployment is wildly high. Vimbai must check her young daughter for signs of abuse because it's plausible that her daughter could be abused while Vimbai was away at work.
One of the topics that the book tackles is the issue of homosexuality in Zimbabwe. On that topic, Zimbabwe is pretty conservative. Gay people are seen as not fit to be a part of society. They are seen as being dirty and gross. Being "out" in Zimbabwe almost doesn't seem like it's feasible. You can see why Dumi does what he does in the story.
Bottom line: This is a great book that really brought to light some of the issues of this country in vivid color.
Zimbabwe is not a country that I know a lot about so I was very excited to read this book. This book can be classified as light fiction but it does cover a lot of heavy topics. It covers some of the politics of Zimbabwe and the environment that the people of the country are dealing with. The people of Zimbabwe have a lot to worry about. Their economy is out of control. Unemployment is wildly high. Vimbai must check her young daughter for signs of abuse because it's plausible that her daughter could be abused while Vimbai was away at work.
One of the topics that the book tackles is the issue of homosexuality in Zimbabwe. On that topic, Zimbabwe is pretty conservative. Gay people are seen as not fit to be a part of society. They are seen as being dirty and gross. Being "out" in Zimbabwe almost doesn't seem like it's feasible. You can see why Dumi does what he does in the story.
Bottom line: This is a great book that really brought to light some of the issues of this country in vivid color.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
This is such a lovely and well written book. The language is good and Huchu paints a very vivid picture of Zimbabwe. Exploring important themes in Zimbabwe: corruption, the state’s failure, the vulnerable societal conditions & the terrible homophobic culture
It explores the current realities of Zimbabwe while building the tension for the “big secret” to be revealed. It’s easy enough to figure out what the big secret is before it’s revealed. But to Vimbai, she still doesn’t manage to piece two and two together. Showing how homosexuality is a remote and unlikely idea to her and many Zimbabweans. The comparison she makes of Dumi and Philip, how Phillip is better despite him being a rapist is disheartening. But that’s the thought process of so many homophobes that homosexuality is a greater sin than anything else that could exist.
I also throughly enjoyed the reference to the colonial symbolism that still remains in the country. Dumi’s strong sense of self, his passion, pride and strong knowledge of his Zimbabwean roots.
The only thing not making me rate the book a full 5/5 is the disconnect between the narrating voice and Vimbai’s character. She learns how to use a microwave for the first time in her life after Dumi moves in with her. Yet her grammar and language when analysing the world around her is so excellent.
Overall this is a great book, which provokes some much needed dialogue in conservative Zimbabwe.
It explores the current realities of Zimbabwe while building the tension for the “big secret” to be revealed. It’s easy enough to figure out what the big secret is before it’s revealed. But to Vimbai, she still doesn’t manage to piece two and two together. Showing how homosexuality is a remote and unlikely idea to her and many Zimbabweans. The comparison she makes of Dumi and Philip, how Phillip is better despite him being a rapist is disheartening. But that’s the thought process of so many homophobes that homosexuality is a greater sin than anything else that could exist.
I also throughly enjoyed the reference to the colonial symbolism that still remains in the country. Dumi’s strong sense of self, his passion, pride and strong knowledge of his Zimbabwean roots.
The only thing not making me rate the book a full 5/5 is the disconnect between the narrating voice and Vimbai’s character. She learns how to use a microwave for the first time in her life after Dumi moves in with her. Yet her grammar and language when analysing the world around her is so excellent.
Overall this is a great book, which provokes some much needed dialogue in conservative Zimbabwe.
July 3, 2019
Vimbai, a brilliant 26 year old hairdresser, meets competition in her place of work when a young gentleman arrives to fill a post. He is the best hairdresser Harare has ever seen. Vimbai naturally feels threatened by him, until she realises what a good man he is. They become friends and he moves into her house to rent one of the rooms. She agrees when he invites her to be his date at his brother's wedding, not knowing that she is being dragged into a web of lies. Dumi introduces her as his girlfriend. His family is overjoyed, and grateful to the girl who has cured their son. Vimbai realises after a series of events that Dumi is actually gay - a big sin in Zimbabwe. She is disgusted. She reports to the wife of the man Dumi is seeing, who sets cronies of Dumi to be dealt with - slowly, painfully, and permanently.
The book is easy to read. It is nicely written in language that is easy to consume, and even though the issues raised here are heavy, the author managed to make them easy to take in. I'm hopeful that Zimbabwe is a different place now, one that isn't so hostile to something as natural as a person's sexuality. I recommend the book, it's something many people would enjoy.
#Book30of2019
The book is easy to read. It is nicely written in language that is easy to consume, and even though the issues raised here are heavy, the author managed to make them easy to take in. I'm hopeful that Zimbabwe is a different place now, one that isn't so hostile to something as natural as a person's sexuality. I recommend the book, it's something many people would enjoy.
#Book30of2019
March 2, 2022
The story was a bit predictable but entertaining nonetheless. I loved the vivid and accurate picture it paints of life in Zimbabwe and the culture there. There was an unexpected twist at the end that led me to stop reading before the book ended. I have quotes gallore 😝(go on roll your eyes)
'It's funny how we seem trapped between modernity and the past. We have power lines yet half the time no electricity runs through them. We have cars, but no petrol to run them on, mobiles but the network is intermittent.'
"In our culture a parent does not apologise to their child."
"I felt an atmosphere of friendliness, violence, innovation, poverty and joy but the one thing that hung over everything else was despair; an air of hopelessness as if everyone was in a pit that they could not climb out of. I knew that feeling all too well. It's like seeing a plane high up in the sky and knowing that you will never be on it."
'It's funny how we seem trapped between modernity and the past. We have power lines yet half the time no electricity runs through them. We have cars, but no petrol to run them on, mobiles but the network is intermittent.'
"In our culture a parent does not apologise to their child."
"I felt an atmosphere of friendliness, violence, innovation, poverty and joy but the one thing that hung over everything else was despair; an air of hopelessness as if everyone was in a pit that they could not climb out of. I knew that feeling all too well. It's like seeing a plane high up in the sky and knowing that you will never be on it."
April 10, 2025
A sharp, heartfelt read set in Zimbabwe, It explores friendship, identity, and prejudice through the eyes of Vimbai, a proud hairdresser whose world shifts when a mysterious new colleague (Dumisani) enters her life. The writer blends humor and social commentary beautifully, giving us a story that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. Short but powerful! I enjoyed reading the book. I highly recommend it.
April 10, 2019
Cette fois encore, Exploratology m’a fait faire une grande découverte littéraire : découverte d’une histoire, bien sûr, une très belle histoire même, mais aussi découverte d’un auteur et d’un pays, le Zimbabwe, dont je n’avais jamais lu la production littéraire. Ce n’est pas la première fois qu’Exploratology m’emmène dans des pays lointains, dont je ne sais rien ou si peu, et que j’en reviens plus riche et plus humble.
Ce roman, c’est typiquement le petit livre sur lequel vous pouvez craquer sans culpabilité, le petit plaisir qui va s’engloutir si rapidement que votre PAL n’aura même pas eu le temps de le voir passer ! En un clin d’oeil, le quotidien de Vimbai rythmé par son travail de coiffeuse et les moments passés chez elle avec sa fille va vous paraître aussi addictif que n’importe quel polar aux multiples rebondissements. Cette impossibilité de lâcher le roman vient surtout de cette galerie de personnages haut en couleur, avec leurs petits défauts et leurs caractères bien trempés. Et c’est aussi cette atmosphère où perce l’espoir au milieu de la détresse, cette vie dans un Zimbabwe où 90% de la population est sans emploi, où l’espérance de vie ne dépasse pas 35 ans, où l’on se méfie d’autrui tout en se serrant furieusement les coudes.
Car finalement, sous des dehors d’histoire légère – une jeune fille un peu hautaine qui va voir son titre de reine du salon de coiffure vaciller face à l’arrivée d’un jeune prodige -, Le meilleur coiffeur de Harare parle surtout des difficultés que rencontrent tous les habitants de la capitale, de l’incertitude de leur avenir, et il dénonce la corruption, l’individualisme et l’homophobie qui régnaient en maître lorsque Robert Mugabe était encore au pouvoir avant sa démission en 2017.
Suite de la chronique sur lottesofbooks.com
Ce roman, c’est typiquement le petit livre sur lequel vous pouvez craquer sans culpabilité, le petit plaisir qui va s’engloutir si rapidement que votre PAL n’aura même pas eu le temps de le voir passer ! En un clin d’oeil, le quotidien de Vimbai rythmé par son travail de coiffeuse et les moments passés chez elle avec sa fille va vous paraître aussi addictif que n’importe quel polar aux multiples rebondissements. Cette impossibilité de lâcher le roman vient surtout de cette galerie de personnages haut en couleur, avec leurs petits défauts et leurs caractères bien trempés. Et c’est aussi cette atmosphère où perce l’espoir au milieu de la détresse, cette vie dans un Zimbabwe où 90% de la population est sans emploi, où l’espérance de vie ne dépasse pas 35 ans, où l’on se méfie d’autrui tout en se serrant furieusement les coudes.
Car finalement, sous des dehors d’histoire légère – une jeune fille un peu hautaine qui va voir son titre de reine du salon de coiffure vaciller face à l’arrivée d’un jeune prodige -, Le meilleur coiffeur de Harare parle surtout des difficultés que rencontrent tous les habitants de la capitale, de l’incertitude de leur avenir, et il dénonce la corruption, l’individualisme et l’homophobie qui régnaient en maître lorsque Robert Mugabe était encore au pouvoir avant sa démission en 2017.
Suite de la chronique sur lottesofbooks.com
May 18, 2021
This book was a very interesting portrait of every day life in Zimbabwe. The difficulties and struggles to make a living, fighting against poverty, corruption and lack of opportunities. That part was very interesting and engaging.
The story itself was a bit flat and predictable, the ending seemed rushed, and I was unable to feel empathy for the main character, Vimai. It could have been much better.
The story itself was a bit flat and predictable, the ending seemed rushed, and I was unable to feel empathy for the main character, Vimai. It could have been much better.
December 3, 2020
The story starts by giving us a look into Vimbai’s life, background and psyche. She is a single mother, struggling to make a good live for herself and her daughter. She works for Mrs.Khumalo as a hairdresser – the best in Harare. She is mostly in control of her life and almost content with it when enters one Dumisani. Dumisani soon takes over her position in the Salon. In her personal life, bills that need paying keeps piling up. Before she realizes it, Dumisani is living with her as a paying guest. Their animosity slowly turns into friendship because of Vimbhai own nature and also because of Dumisani…
What happens then? Read it to find out the secrets that some of the characters have been keeping. You have to read the book to feel the betrayals portrayed in it. The characters develop in front of our own eyes and sometimes you see things coming and sometimes (especially if you are like Vimbhai) things just take you by surprise.
What I liked best is that this book gives us a glimpse of Zimbabwe. If you think your country has problems – well then you are not alone. The country’s problems and turmoil is depicted in a fantastic manner.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
What happens then? Read it to find out the secrets that some of the characters have been keeping. You have to read the book to feel the betrayals portrayed in it. The characters develop in front of our own eyes and sometimes you see things coming and sometimes (especially if you are like Vimbhai) things just take you by surprise.
What I liked best is that this book gives us a glimpse of Zimbabwe. If you think your country has problems – well then you are not alone. The country’s problems and turmoil is depicted in a fantastic manner.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
December 17, 2023
The main reason I started reading around the world 12 years ago was to challenge my assumptions and my way of thinking, and to consider other people's experiences from perspectives that were not mine.
I got so frustrated with this book while I was reading it, as the "twist" was blatantly obvious from the first chapter. I spent the whole book waiting for the characters to catch up. I disliked the choices along the way of characters. And then when they did catch up, I completely disagreed with the reactions. I wasn't overly impressed.
But since I have finished reading and then mulled over this book, I have begun to appreciate it more. As I have realised how much I read the book with a white, western perspective, and this was not at all written from one. My norms are not norms everywhere. Where I saw negatives, in the scheme of things from the characters' world, these actions were rather progressive. Where I saw outdated views, I need to recognise in a lot of the world, they are still currently held views.
Still didn't mean I overly enjoyed the book, but did cause me to consider why I read these books and why I will continually need to. It's so easy to get complacent and think your way is the only way to view the world.
I got so frustrated with this book while I was reading it, as the "twist" was blatantly obvious from the first chapter. I spent the whole book waiting for the characters to catch up. I disliked the choices along the way of characters. And then when they did catch up, I completely disagreed with the reactions. I wasn't overly impressed.
But since I have finished reading and then mulled over this book, I have begun to appreciate it more. As I have realised how much I read the book with a white, western perspective, and this was not at all written from one. My norms are not norms everywhere. Where I saw negatives, in the scheme of things from the characters' world, these actions were rather progressive. Where I saw outdated views, I need to recognise in a lot of the world, they are still currently held views.
Still didn't mean I overly enjoyed the book, but did cause me to consider why I read these books and why I will continually need to. It's so easy to get complacent and think your way is the only way to view the world.
October 21, 2019
"Keep one step ahead because once you start reacting, you've lost the battle."
Its a story of a hairdresser Vimbai, the Queen B she is like the senior hairdresser for Mrs Khumalo's salon. She is the center of the place hence she feels special until one day, a vacancy arises and a new person comes in to fill it, a guy on top of that Dumisani and all hell starts happening. "To be dispensable is a woman's worst nightmare and I was beginning to live it."
I loved how the author described places and areas you could actually picture them especially if you have been. What saddens me most is the story was written around 2009/10, but Zimbabwe is worse like he described in that book, now 10years later with no progress at all🤷🏾♀️🙅🏾♀️. He gets to talk about sexuality, rape, land recession, family feuds and friendships in the book.
It was a bit predictable though, like seriously a guy hot one at that, with fabulous hands for doing fancy hairstyles🤷🏾♀️ but with some nice twists and turns😱. I enjoyed how funny the book is though.
Its a story of a hairdresser Vimbai, the Queen B she is like the senior hairdresser for Mrs Khumalo's salon. She is the center of the place hence she feels special until one day, a vacancy arises and a new person comes in to fill it, a guy on top of that Dumisani and all hell starts happening. "To be dispensable is a woman's worst nightmare and I was beginning to live it."
I loved how the author described places and areas you could actually picture them especially if you have been. What saddens me most is the story was written around 2009/10, but Zimbabwe is worse like he described in that book, now 10years later with no progress at all🤷🏾♀️🙅🏾♀️. He gets to talk about sexuality, rape, land recession, family feuds and friendships in the book.
It was a bit predictable though, like seriously a guy hot one at that, with fabulous hands for doing fancy hairstyles🤷🏾♀️ but with some nice twists and turns😱. I enjoyed how funny the book is though.
April 4, 2023
Late to the game but my final review is a generous 2 stars. The main character is selfish, insufferable, rude and if I could punch her in the face I would. However if i could think of I positive I would say that I felt the author did a good job describing the setting of Zimbabwe. I was able to get a sense of the country/culture through the descriptions of the country. Otherwise would not recommend reading unless you were forced like me.
September 20, 2023
La storia è ben scritta, accattivante pur nella sua semplicità, ha un buon ritmo e scivola via che è una bellezza.
Nonostante l’atmosfera pesante che a volte grava su certe situazioni, non difettano l’ironia e una certa allegria in grado di alleggerirla.
La vita dei protagonisti - come quella di tutti gli altri personaggi presenti nel racconto - è in definitiva lo specchio di una società, quella dello Zimbabwe, fortemente classista, corrotta, maschilista, ma soprattutto omofoba, repressiva e punitiva.
Ecco, questo è stato un particolare che mi ha disturbato; il pensiero, la posizione dura e il comportamento della protagonista mi hanno fortemente spiazzata e delusa, compromettendo l’impressione fin qui maturata; da una persona giovane mi aspettavo un po’ più di apertura, meno pregiudizio, più flessibilità. Il fatto che abbia cercato poi di riprendersi, non mi ha affatto convinta. Quel punto negativo è rimasto. Peccato per il resto del romanzo che invece è molto carino.
È chiaro che è una reazione del tutto personale, niente a che vedere con la capacità dell’autore di puntare il dito su problemi di questo genere, anzi direi che è stato molto bravo.
Ma tre stelle per me sono più che sufficienti.
🌍 LdM: Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
🌍 Africa
📚 Biblioteca
Nonostante l’atmosfera pesante che a volte grava su certe situazioni, non difettano l’ironia e una certa allegria in grado di alleggerirla.
La vita dei protagonisti - come quella di tutti gli altri personaggi presenti nel racconto - è in definitiva lo specchio di una società, quella dello Zimbabwe, fortemente classista, corrotta, maschilista, ma soprattutto omofoba, repressiva e punitiva.
Ecco, questo è stato un particolare che mi ha disturbato; il pensiero, la posizione dura e il comportamento della protagonista mi hanno fortemente spiazzata e delusa, compromettendo l’impressione fin qui maturata; da una persona giovane mi aspettavo un po’ più di apertura, meno pregiudizio, più flessibilità. Il fatto che abbia cercato poi di riprendersi, non mi ha affatto convinta. Quel punto negativo è rimasto. Peccato per il resto del romanzo che invece è molto carino.
È chiaro che è una reazione del tutto personale, niente a che vedere con la capacità dell’autore di puntare il dito su problemi di questo genere, anzi direi che è stato molto bravo.
Ma tre stelle per me sono più che sufficienti.
🌍 LdM: Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
🌍 Africa
📚 Biblioteca
March 19, 2023
The dialogue was flat and the writing style wasn't for me. Also confused at to why I had to read this for a Women in Literature class when it was written by a man and the female protagonist absolutely sucks (she's homophobic, classist, and fatphobic.) Not sure what the takeaway of this book is either? What are we supposed to have gained from the ending? It was much too long considering the climax/twist didn't come until almost the end and the wrap-up was rushed.
November 6, 2025
I actually don’t know what’s to say… this book was soooo good until it wasn’t 😭😭😭😭. As in how do you drop the ball so badly?!? I initially loved reading about Harare and the experiences of being in a salon so similar to what I’ve experienced.. BUT the twist was not a twist and ended up falling flat.
July 22, 2022
Here's my incoherent review of The Hairdresser of Harare.
At the beginning, I was irritated by Vimbai. However, as I progressed, I found myself giving her grace. Dumi, however, I loved from the jump. The dramatic irony in this book was artfully done, and the plot was well paced. I think the resolution was as realistic as it could be yet still inspiring some hope.
The writing of this book lacked pretension, and it was clearly in tune with the climate of the setting. It's part of why I really loved reading this book. It's one of those books that I would love to chat with someone about just because it simply makes you want to do that.
At the beginning, I was irritated by Vimbai. However, as I progressed, I found myself giving her grace. Dumi, however, I loved from the jump. The dramatic irony in this book was artfully done, and the plot was well paced. I think the resolution was as realistic as it could be yet still inspiring some hope.
The writing of this book lacked pretension, and it was clearly in tune with the climate of the setting. It's part of why I really loved reading this book. It's one of those books that I would love to chat with someone about just because it simply makes you want to do that.
November 10, 2021
The Hairdresser of Harare is about societal prejudice against people who don't conform. Dumisani is everything people are uncomfortable with; in his career choices and his love interests. People bend over backwards trying to make him fit in and he is left standing as a misfit. In a world where every thing is black or white, he carves out space in the grey area.
The ending felt a bit rushed but I love how the story came full circle. I'm here for Queer African stories, always. I just wish they didn't all involve trauma, we also deserve to experience queer joy and HEAs representation in literature.
I also loved how relatable Zimbabwean was: the good, the bad and the downright ugly–the local delicacies, the experiences e.g corruption through traffic police and government offices, the economic hardships, the banter & hair salon gossip etc. We are all living the same 3rd world life out here. I hate that for all of us, but at least we as Kenyans are not alone. 😂😂. That's my consolation. Sad but true.
Such a fast paced book too. And there's no way I can discuss this book without giving out more spoilers so do yourself a favor and read it.
The ending felt a bit rushed but I love how the story came full circle. I'm here for Queer African stories, always. I just wish they didn't all involve trauma, we also deserve to experience queer joy and HEAs representation in literature.
I also loved how relatable Zimbabwean was: the good, the bad and the downright ugly–the local delicacies, the experiences e.g corruption through traffic police and government offices, the economic hardships, the banter & hair salon gossip etc. We are all living the same 3rd world life out here. I hate that for all of us, but at least we as Kenyans are not alone. 😂😂. That's my consolation. Sad but true.
Such a fast paced book too. And there's no way I can discuss this book without giving out more spoilers so do yourself a favor and read it.
December 6, 2020
I just happen to come across this book a while back. It was a quick read giving you insight into the everyday life in Zimbabwe. As it happens in most places, the hairdressers are where the gossip happens and information is exchanged. There are some political and social issues and and it all ends on a different note.
June 17, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this one 🤩 especially that Zimbabwean side of me loving the names and traditions in there.
March 18, 2023
This just felt really poorly written. The dialogue was awkward and unrealistic and there were a lot of random lines that made little sense within the context. I often enjoy reading about unlikeable main characters, but Vimbai felt very one-dimensional. I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be an ironic social commentary (i hope) but her homophobia and slut-shaming was a lot and it's pretty hard to excuse her actions when she had no redeeming qualities. Vimbai's character "growth" felt really unrealistic and happened so fast that it lost all meaning for me. I guess this book was supposed to explore queer identities, but it was so surface-level that it reduced queerness to overused stereotypes.
December 6, 2025
Such a fantastic read!
I started this book not quite sure where it was going, but the moment I began to suspect the direction of the journey, I became increasingly intrigued. It’s a captivating story about two hairdressers who meet and move in together. A relationship ensues, but it’s not the kind of relationship one of them hopes for.
This is an emotional story about what love and sexuality mean, and how complicated they can be. The ending was sad but still hopeful.
Honestly, I started off thinking I’d DNF, but from about 20 percent in, I knew it would be over 4 stars. By the end, it became an easy 5 stars.
I highly recommend it!
I started this book not quite sure where it was going, but the moment I began to suspect the direction of the journey, I became increasingly intrigued. It’s a captivating story about two hairdressers who meet and move in together. A relationship ensues, but it’s not the kind of relationship one of them hopes for.
This is an emotional story about what love and sexuality mean, and how complicated they can be. The ending was sad but still hopeful.
Honestly, I started off thinking I’d DNF, but from about 20 percent in, I knew it would be over 4 stars. By the end, it became an easy 5 stars.
I highly recommend it!
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