Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo

What behind-the-scenes woman do you think is the glue that keeps things together?  There are so many it’s hard to even list.  I have to start with my sisters: one is a speech pathologist for nonverbal autistic pediatric patients, one is a psychologist, and the other is a public health professor. International Woman’s Day is also the book birthday of Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo in which it is the women who are the true fabric of society.  The book is a beast, a book to be reckoned with just like all females.  It’s an allegorical tale inspired by Animal Farm to remind us that power corrupts and changes people with the best of intentions.   In the mythical nation of Jidada the Father of the Nation, Old Horse can’t even stay awake to give a speech.  Yet his wife, Dr. Sweet Mother stands by his side fearlessly.  Besides Dr. Sweet, there is the amazing character Destiny.  Destiny Lozikeyi Khumalo is a goat who returns to Jidada to face her tragedies. Her mother, Simiso is an amazing character too. I went into this book thinking of its political impact, yet the feminist perspective is so much more impactful in the story.  It really is a story about how women play the role of holding societies together.  This is a literary attribute to the role women play whether it is behind the scenes supporting another female or speaking out against the worst atrocities a man can cause a woman.  This was not an easy read, but the hilarious parts relieve the building tension in the book.  It was hilarious how certain characters such as Trump and other politicians’ characteristics were written into the animals.  This was a serious read meant for serious readers.  I’m still not quite sure I understand all the underpinnings and metaphors.  Noviolet Bulawayo is an international hero who has used non-violence to change things for the better.  Thank you to Viking for sending me this serious yet funny analysis of political hierarchies.