Trapped

by Valerie Tagwira

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 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 in
order to find work, or at least an income that will pay their bills.

These
three individuals 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.

Price range: £17.00 through £18.00

About the author

Valerie Tagwira

Valerie Tagwira is a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist who lives
and works in Harare. 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 story ‘The Journey’ was
published in the Caine Prize Anthology 2010. Her story ‘Mainini Grace’s
Promise’ was published in Women Writing Zimbabwe (Weaver Press, 2009)
translated into Shona for the anthology Mazambuko (Weaver Press, 2011),
included in the anthology, New Daughters of Africa (Myriad Editions
2018) and re-published in Windows into Zimbabwe (Weaver Press, 2019).
‘The Way of Revenge’, a short story, was published in Writing Mystery
and Mayhem (Weaver Press, 2015).

Review

“Valerie Tagwira is a writer with her ear to the ground. Trapped is a
novel which 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. For a window into Zimbabwe today, this is the book to read.”

Sarah Ladipo Manyika, author of In Dependence and Like a Mule bringing Icecream to the Sun