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House of Stone by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma

House of Stone

by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma

  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (20):
  • Published:
  • Jan 2019, 400 pages
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There are currently 20 reader reviews for House of Stone
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Tawana J. (Brownsville, VT)

A page turner
From the moment I cracked the book open I couldn't put it down, there were some grammar mistakes but it didn't ruin the story. It is a story I would recommend to friends.
Power Reviewer
Beverly J. (Hoover, AL)

Powerful, exquisitely affecting, blisteringly honest
House of Stone is an impressive debut that examines the integration and recreation of personal and national identities through the lens of one "family" from the dissolution of Rhodesia, the birth of Zimbabwe, and what being a nation entails.

It is through the lens of the hopeful wily protagonist Zamani and his obsessive need to immerse himself into the family history of his landlords in order to re-create his "his-story" that makes this storyline so poignant.
While the violence is brutal it is well-balanced by the lively luminous prose as Tshuma deftly weaves the historical and personal into a seamless chroniclemore
Ann B. (Kernville, CA)

A layered novel in which history commands center stage
This sprawling novel set in Zimbabwe during Robert Mugabe's brutal government marks the impressive debut of Novuyo Rosa Tshuma. The book will appeal to readers seeking a layered, twist-filled #ownvoices story of oppressed and haunted people seeking to transcend the past.
Sharon P. (San Diego, CA)

Mixed feelings BUT very good book
I love this style of historical fiction. It's so important to learn about another country's history from an authentic voice like Ms. Tshuma. I know some readers might be bothered or confused by all the native words and slang, however, I felt it was integral to story. I chose not to research the exact meanings of the words, but instead relished the context in which they were used.

I loved the slow unfurling of the mystery and the stories of each character, but the flashback narrative was a bit confusing. My biggest problem is that I could not muster any sympathy for Zamani, the main narrator. I felt hismore
Mary S. (Bow, NH)

The most wonderful anti-hero
Meet Zamani a conniving, passive-agressive narrator. Through his story, and his attempts to ingratiate himself in the lives of a family, the reader also sees the bloody and violent birth of Zimbabwe as it breaks free of colonial Rhodesia. At times humorous, at times hard to read because of the pain on the page, the plot moves along briskly and continuously engages the reader. A well-written book that would be excellent for book clubs as there is much to discuss!
Suzette P. (Chicago, IL)

A Masterful Tale of Zimbabwe History
The word Zimbabwe is thought to be Shona for House of Stone and this novel is a recounting of the cataclysmic events that formed the nation under Robert Mugabe as told through the personal tragedies of Abednego, his wife Mama Agnes, and their lodger Zamani, who narrates the story. Zamani is a cipher - he wants to be a member of the family and will go to frightening lengths to ingratiate himself, leaving the reader to wonder at his end game. I loved this book; it's wonderfully descriptive and, as Zamani's actions become increasingly disturbing, breathtakingly gripping.While often humorously told, the story is notmore
Gina S. (Long Beach, CA)

A Stunning Debut
House of Stone by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma is a remarkable debut accomplishment. The premise of the novel revolves around Bukhosi, the teenage son of Abednego and Agnes Mlambo who is missing and the turbulent times of Zimbabwe under the leadership of Robert Mugabe.

Ms. Tshuma’s writing is stunning, the characters are fully developed and the storyline is compelling. She tells the story through the eyes of the main character Zamani’s personal narrative & that of his landlords, Abednego and Mama Agnes.
She demonstrates her skillful ability as a writer to bring balance between what she calls the “hi-story” of hermore
Barbara C. (Fountain Hills, AZ)

Zimbabwe - House of Stone
This is an historical fiction novel wrapped in a mystery. The narrator is a manipulative, self serving character who proves himself duplicitous in his final acts. He is desperate to have himself adopted into a family, as that family's history slowly reveals itself. The chaos of a nation undergoing revolutionary change is painfully and visually described. As a freshman writer, Tshuma writes with clarity, compassion, fervency, and dark humor. The reveal as to what happened to Bukhosi is heartbreaking, and proves that the initial distasteful character of the narrator proves correct. The book was hard to read inmore
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