Perfect Imperfections: A mixed bag of themes and more
The debut novel by Makanaka Mavengere-Munsaka, released in August 2019 by BlackBird Books is a mixed bag of themes and more.
Maxine escapes an abusive polygamous marriage to a man much older than her to make a new life in Harare, Zimbabwe. The story follows the five madams she works for.
Through them, we see the struggles of women trying to hold down careers and relationships in a big city where tradition, patriarchy, domestic abuse and unhealthy societal behaviours form a backdrop. While Maxine bears witness to the women’s lives, she also tries to work through her own issues, finding a way to free herself of the cruel man she married and experience meaningful relationships.
The book explores women learning about and seeking the love they feel they deserve. Whether self-love or romantic love, each woman must find the courage to believe in and hold onto that love. Through Maxine’s narration, the intricacies of the relationship women share with their helpers are uncovered. These relationships reveal the truth that women can discover themselves via their friendships with other women.
The prologue, as told by Maxine, begins in October 2018, Michero Mitatu village court, Zimbabwe, then takes us back to 2005 to the event which set the trajectory of Maxine’s life.
Chapter One begins the narrative nine months prior to the court appearance thereafter Maxine travels with us through her time as a child-bride, existing in slave-like conditions within a polygamous marriage and attaining her freedom at a huge cost.
The themes in Maxine’s story call for rigorous debate in the environment of a book club, and are sure conversation starters within social settings.
Perfect Imperfections is 256 pages long, threaded out in thirty-two chapters but the discussion threads in it are powerful.
Themes brought to the fore are but, not limited to:
•Forced marriages & child brides
•The abuse of the polygamous system
•The barbaric practice of replacing a dead wife with her unwilling younger and virginal relative
•Trafficking of young girls
•Rape within marriage
•Domestic violence & abuse of power
•The psychological impact of displacement
•Diasporic living in your country of birth
•The cost of emancipation on women
•The trauma of running away from an abusive relationship leaving your kids behind
•Witchcraft & casting spells emanating from misogynistic attitudes
•The trauma & cost of mobility
•Inequality in marriage & the unequal division of labour
•Infidelity & the attitudes thereof for men & women
•Infertility & the burden placed on women
•Women’s rights & ownership of their bodies
•Reproductive rights
•Sexual pleasure
•Sexual rights
•Poverty & its humiliating effects on a family & community
•Mothers-in-law/role as gatekeepers of patriarchy.
These are the themes I picked up and there could be a lot more I probably missed. The only miss for me, however, was the form of writing. I feel it could have been stronger and more expressive making the delivery of this narration powerful. I loved the mixture of English and Shona. Though I don’t read or speak Shona, I could follow the conversation. The Shona illuminated the texture of the narrative.
One more book to add to your “Must Read” this year.
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