YvonneI knew there was something not quite right about Dumi the very first time I ever laid eyes on him. The problem was, I just couldn’t tell what it was. Thank God for that.
There was a time that I was reputed to be the best hairdresser in Harare, which meant the best in the whole country.
Amai Ndoro was the fussiest customer to ever grace a salon and she would not let any ordinary kiya-kiya touch her hair. Having sampled all the salons in Harare – and rejected them all – she settled on ours.
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I wonder why the narrator is so glad that they couldn’t tell what it was that was so wrong about Dumi.
I am intrigued to know what Dumi’s secret was.
I am looking forward to finding out all the gossip from this hair salon … hairdressers know all the juciest gossip and there is bound to be some humour as well!
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So as to avoid too many unwanted spoilers, I have not included a full synopsis of the book in this post. You can find out a little more about both book and author, here
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What is ‘Book Beginnings’ and how can you join in the fun?
Would the first few lines of your book make you want to read on?
If so, would you like to share them with us, (without revealing too many spoilers of course) ?
Click here and visit your host, Gilion @ Rose City Reader
You can then leave a link to your own book beginnings post, or just browse for some great reads, there are always plenty of new authors and titles to be discovered.
Don’t forget that Gilion and all the other contributors to this meme love to hear from you, so why not leave a comment or two at the same time?
I can’t wait to do a little blog hopping myself and check out all the great Book Beginnings you have!
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As this was an invitation to read and review, a complimentary download of The Hairdresser Of Harare, was sent to me by the author.
This will in no way influence any comments I may express about the book, in any blog article I may post. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.
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Strange first line. The cover is memorable. Here is my post:
Book Beginnings
Hi Jo,
I think that political and social tensions in a country such as Zimbabwe, play an important part in this book and have a great deal of influence over the characters and storyline.
Thanks for starting off the discussion about this post and have a great weekend.
Now I’m wondering what’s wrong with Dumi!!
Hi Vicki,
I’ve read up about the book, before deciding to take it on as an author review request, so I have a pretty good idea what the problem is.
All I can say is, that you will probably be able to hear this hairdresser screaming, all the way from Zimbabwe, when they find out!
Thanks for stopping by and have a good weekend.
Oh, now I am very curious about this character! Thanks for piquing my interest….and for visiting my blog.
Hi Laurel-Rain,
I am very curious about both the character of Dumi and the as yet, unnamed hairdresser.
With other personalities, such as Amai Ndoro, popping up from time to time, I am sure this is going to be an entertaining read, although I suspect a slightly more serious note is sure to be struck occasionally, given the book’s setting of Zimbabwe.
Thanks for the comments, as always and have a good weekend.
Great cover and it looks like an interesting story. I like books about “political and social tensions” in African countries because I learn so much about places so different from where I’ve always lived.
Thanks for including your post in Book Beginnings.
Hi Gilion,
The cover is quite arresting, isn’t it? I am surprised that authors get so little say in the cover art of their books, although I suppose that is what you are paying the professionals for. I don’t know if I could be that trusting to be honest, although I am not particularly ‘arty’, so someone telling me to mind my own business, may not be such a bad idea!
The books I have read in the past, which have been written by African authors, or deal with African issues, have all been quite intense and tightly written. Tendai Huchu, would seem to have tried injecting some humour into the more serious issues which I am sure this book addresses, so it will be good to see just how the mix works.
Thanks as always for hosting and enjoy your weekend.
Yeah, what is wrong with Dumi and why is the narrator glad that s/he didn’t know it at the time. Strange and very intriguing.
Hi Rikki,
Well! you are just going to have to wait for further posts and the review, to see if I can give anything else away, without divulging too many spoilers!
I haven’t actually started reading the book yet, so I am not sure who the narrator is, although the customer they are referring to is sure to throw some humour into the mix, I should think.
Dumi sounds as though he has a big secret, which eventually gets found out, so goodness knows what is going on there!
Thanks for stopping by and have a good weekend
That’s a very good beginning, makes me really curious.
Hi Eva,
That is one of the best first lines I have come across for a long time.
Straightaway I am starting to ask questions and wanting to move on quickly to try and get to the answers.
I don’t read a lot of books with any humour in them, but I think that is going to help this book to move along at quite a pace and knowing just how ‘gossipy’ hairdressers can be, I am sure I shall be kept entertained the whole time.
Thanks for the visit and I hope that you have a good weekend.
Ooh, I can’t wait for your review just to find out more about the book. I hope you enjoy it, Yvonne! Great cover.
Hi Mary,
The author has definitely come up with a fresh approach to a story and a great complimentary cover as well.
I haven’t actually started the book yet, but I am really looking forward to this one, something completely different to bring the changes to my reading pattern of late.
I hope that my review will turn out to be as authentic and entertaining as the book sounds.
Thanks for stopping by, a cold, wet and windy day here, hope things are a lot better where you are.
This sounds very good, and I can relate to her, I am very picky about whom I let style my hair. I’ve been going to the same lady for many years.
I imagine all the juicy salon gossip in the book will be interesting! Happy reading.
Hi Naida,
I am also quite choosy about my hairdresser. We have been frequenting the same salon for the last 25 years, with the father of our present stylist, being the founder and owner of the original salon. He started the business some 40 years ago, his son (who we can remember as a young child), now runs the business, with his own son in training to take over from him!
Steve, has been UK, Hairdresser Of The Year, on more than one occasion, so we know that we are in good hands when we visit him … and yes, his salon is still a hive of gossip, just like any other …. he seems to know everyone and if you ever need a recommendation for a tradesman, he is definitely the person to talk to.
I am definitely looking forward to reading this book, although I am sure that I am not quite as fussy as the character of ‘Amai Ndoro’!
Thanks for the great comments, I always look forward to your visits