Trapped
Trapped captures the mood of a social or political moment: its concerns, unease, compromises and hopes. The three main characters, Unesu, Cashleen and Delta provide the pivot around which the action unfolds, introducing the reader to people and situations that paint a vital picture of life in Harare at a time of crisis, when survival depends on courage, determination, friendship and humour.
R330.00
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Trapped
Valerie Tagwira has a gift for capturing the mood of a social or political moment: its concerns, unease, compromises and hopes. So it is with her second novel, Trapped.
Trapped explores the lives of three characters: Unesu is a doctor, Cashleen trained as a journalist and Delta is qualified as a chemical engineer. Unesu is employed, but his work exposes him to the deficiencies in the system every day as he faces the challenges of life and death. Each of the two young women, good friends, daunted by having their job applications repeatedly rejected, make moral and ethical compromises to find work, or at least an income that will pay their bills.
These three young people provide the pivot around which the action unfolds, introducing the reader to people and situations that paint a vital picture of life in Harare at a time of crisis, when survival depends on courage, determination, friendship and humour.
Valerie Tagwira is a Zimbabwean writer who is a specialist obstetrician-gynaecologist by profession. She currently lives and works in Windhoek, Namibia. The Uncertainty of Hope (Weaver Press, 2006, Jacana Media 2006), her first novel, won the National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Fiction in 2008. Her short stories have been widely anthologised including in the anthology, New Daughters of Africa (Myriad Editions 2018).
“Trapped … is a powerful, illuminating portrayal of lives unravelling against the collapse of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.” Pettinah Gappah in The Guardian, October 2020
“Valerie Tagwira is a writer with her ear to the ground. Her novel Trapped captures the hope, frustration, and despair of young graduates who cannot find work.” Isabella Matambanadzo, Zimbabwean feminist activist and writer
“This highly anticipated second novel, Trapped, does not disappoint. With a keen eye for detail, Valerie Tagwira has written a heartfelt story that masterfully interweaves tales of hustle and survival. This is the book to read for a window into Zimbabwe today.” Sarah Ladipo Manyika, author of In Dependence and Like a Mule bringing Ice cream to the Sun
