There's something really frustrating about boarding school stories juxtaposed with real drama happening in the world outside. I still think this is a very interesting mind capable of provoking thought and strong feelings, just maybe not my favorite volume. I guess frustration is a reaction? The loss of self is pretty honest and brutal and unflinching. Structurally this is a bit of a weak middle book, seemingly, we really jump abruptly, but there's a lot of good in it. So painful to watch how the denial of a person can lead to the absenting of a person. ( )

This second volume in a trilogy is rather depressing. It outlines Tambu‘s experience at boarding school during the war leading to Zimbabwe‘s sovereignty in 1980. Her every achievement is thwarted by a broken, racist, colonial system. The writing is simple but peppered with rather poetic language. I didn‘t enjoy this as much as the first book, but that it‘s because I felt so bad for the frustration of Tambu as she deals with so much unfairness. ( )

2021
I recommend rebeccanyc's review below. My short review can found on LT here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/330945#7546426 ( )

[The Book of Not] is the second in autobiographical fiction trilogy by Zimbabwean author, Tsitsi Dangarembga. I absolutely loved the first book, [Nervous Conditions], for its authentic voice, look at Zimbabwean culture, and feminist voice. Unfortunately, I didn't think this sequel was quite as successful.

In this book, Tambu, the main character, goes off to her next level of schooling, one of the best high schools in the country, which is mainly populated by white Rhodesians. There she deals with racism but also run-of-the-mill girlfriend drama and academic pressures. She is searching for her identity and torn between responsibilities to her country and culture and her desire to escape to a better life.

While these typical teenage dramas are playing out, the country is going through serious war and violence as the native people try to oust the white colonist. Tambu is involved and there are some brutal scenes of her family's experience, but she seems to remain on the outside of the violence and the focus stays on her high school experience.

While I still liked this book and will read the next in the trilogy, it was definitely less enjoyable for me. I felt like the writing was a bit overdone and the focus was more narrowly on Tambu. I missed some of the characters from the first novel. ( )

I liked this book a lot, but the ending doesn't provide closure. Too much set up for the next book. Still, it provides a clear picture of life during civil unrest, the difficulty particularly of being a teenager facing the issues of loyalty and identity. How does one cope with violence and confusion without becoming overwhelmed? The book's structure is weak but the writing is sound. ( )