I am a sucker for quality novels, particularly African post-colonial fiction, but nowadays I am usually too busy that completing reading a fulllength novel can become a “luxury” but I promised myself to read at least one exceptionally good quality novel as often as possible, and this is one such book.

After Ngozi Adichie, Bulawayo is undoubtedly my favourite post modern African writer. Her writing has depth and substance and is unique - just what I appreciate in African writers. Her first book, ‘We need new names,’ which explored the falling of oppressive systems is quite a rivetting and intellectually stimulating read.

Glory is a balance between both, with a touch of awe-inspiring literary flair and a clever astuteness and acumen that could only come from a writer who is highly observant and learned. I must admit that I partly found this book fascinating as it touches on the late Robert Mugabe.

Inspired by the unexpected fall by coup, in November 2017, of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s president of nearly four decades, Bulawayo’s bold, vividly imagined novel depicts a country imploding, narrated by a chorus of animal voices who unveil the ruthlessness and cold strategy required to uphold the illusion of absolute power, and the imagination and bullet-proof optimism to overthrow it completely. It chronicles the fall of an oppressive regime, and the chaotic, kinetic potential for real liberation that rises in its wake. It is a political satire that is very similar to the classic Animal Farm by George Orwell.

I like the damning boldness that modern writers from the African diaspora have, but I am still boggled by how African writers have adopted a subconscious culture of vilifying African leaders, but I guess perspective differs. Besides, someone has to tell those bad and ugly stories, right?

Every time after I read a good book, I pause and shut it slowly, and then stare into space, digesting what I just read. This is such a book. It is one of those ‘Wow’ novels that you read and you appreciate the abundant writing talent.

Bulawayo posseses a wholesome vocabulary, and also the richness of carefully cultivated literary grace.

Since she made her big break into writing, Bulawayo has been deemed as an important writer because of how she carefully weaves African history into literature and most notably places Zimbabwe on historical charts in a modern context. Hers is a beautiful way of telling stories from the perspective lens of an Africa without the filtered third voice, and helps pave the way for true African liberation...after all, the pen is mightier than the sword!