mandy reviewed Lion's Den by Iris Mwanza
None
5 stars
What a great find on Borrowed Box. I loved this snapshot of life in Zambia in the early 90s and the story of a young lawyer Grace and the misogyny, racism and classism that she faces. I found the treatment of Bessy's heartbreaking story to be very moving - an insight into the struggles of LGBT individuals in Zambia (and Africa and worldwide) that continue to this day.
I also really enjoyed the political commentary throughout the book and the discussion of the fall of Kaunda in 1991 and the developments in neighbouring South Africa.
I read one review that complained about this political discussion. The thing is, you couldn't possibly have lived through life in Southern Africa in the early to mid-90s (or east Germany or the former Soviet Union) without it becoming a huge part of your psyche and consciousness.
Finally, the narrator Chi Mhende was very good. …
What a great find on Borrowed Box. I loved this snapshot of life in Zambia in the early 90s and the story of a young lawyer Grace and the misogyny, racism and classism that she faces. I found the treatment of Bessy's heartbreaking story to be very moving - an insight into the struggles of LGBT individuals in Zambia (and Africa and worldwide) that continue to this day.
I also really enjoyed the political commentary throughout the book and the discussion of the fall of Kaunda in 1991 and the developments in neighbouring South Africa.
I read one review that complained about this political discussion. The thing is, you couldn't possibly have lived through life in Southern Africa in the early to mid-90s (or east Germany or the former Soviet Union) without it becoming a huge part of your psyche and consciousness.
Finally, the narrator Chi Mhende was very good. He struggled a bit with a German accent but for the most part, captured the various voices and characters well and had a lovely narrating voice.