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Send Her Back and Other Stories
In Send Her Back and Other Stories, Munashe Kaseke offers an awfully intimate, fresh telling of the immigrant black woman experience in the United States, equally awash with a myriad of challenges as well as the joys of exploring a new world. With sumptuous candor, her complicated, and often tangled, female Zimbabwean protagonists navigate issues of identity, microaggressions, and sexism in vibrant and indelible settings, and at times a tense US political climate. Yet again, these are not only stories of overcoming, they're also marked by characters who've risen to the top of their professional fields, seized the American dream, and who travel the world in glee. Kaseke peels back on the inner wranglings of characters caught between two worlds be it by stories of dating outside one's culture and race or failing to assimilate upon returning home after spending time abroad. Uncanny. Hilarious. Witty. Gripping. Send Her Back and Other Stories dazzles, leaving you newly awakened to the world we live in.
204 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2022
About the author
Munashe Kaseke
1 book129 followersMunashe Kaseke was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe. She migrated to the United States of America alone at age nineteen when she received a scholarship to study at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She holds Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Administration degrees. Munashe currently lives and works in Northern California. Send Her Back and Other Stories is her debut book. You can learn more about her at www.munashekaseke.com
Book Awards Won
Anthem Award – Silver
Category: Research and Publications
Brought to you by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies, and organizations worldwide.
Foreword – Gold Winner
Category: Short Stories
Honors the very best of indie publishing each year.
Next Gen Indie Book Awards – Finalist
Category: BIPOC
The largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers.
Reader Views – Gold Award and Global Award Winner – Africa
Category: Short Stories
Recognizing the most creative and exciting new books in the industry. The award program is recognized industry-wide as a top awards program for independent authors.
Nautilus Book Awards- Silver
Category: Multicultural and Indigenous
Among their core mission is to celebrate and honor books that support conscious living & social change & social justice.
Independent Press Award – Distinguished Favorite
Recognizing the industry favorites from independent publishers.
Independent Publisher Awards ( IPPY’s) – Bronze
Category: Multicultural Fiction
Recognizing excellence in independent publishing.
Book Awards Won
Anthem Award – Silver
Category: Research and Publications
Brought to you by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies, and organizations worldwide.
Foreword – Gold Winner
Category: Short Stories
Honors the very best of indie publishing each year.
Next Gen Indie Book Awards – Finalist
Category: BIPOC
The largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers.
Reader Views – Gold Award and Global Award Winner – Africa
Category: Short Stories
Recognizing the most creative and exciting new books in the industry. The award program is recognized industry-wide as a top awards program for independent authors.
Nautilus Book Awards- Silver
Category: Multicultural and Indigenous
Among their core mission is to celebrate and honor books that support conscious living & social change & social justice.
Independent Press Award – Distinguished Favorite
Recognizing the industry favorites from independent publishers.
Independent Publisher Awards ( IPPY’s) – Bronze
Category: Multicultural Fiction
Recognizing excellence in independent publishing.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
October 20, 2024
A thought-provoking anthology set around the experiences of Zimbabwean women in their own country and/or as immigrants in the USA.
The sixteen stories in this collection are all linked in their theme. Each is from a woman’s perspective, each woman is of Zimbabwean background, most have emigrated to the US in hope of a better life, and most are struggling to make ends meet in their new country. The stories are told in a very blunt manner. There’s no beating about the bush, nor is there any attractive façade to cover the darkness underneath. Many stories left me infuriated, sometimes at the characters, sometimes at the situation.
The writing approach is quite varied, with first person, third person and even second person narratives. There are plenty of Shona words and phrases in the narrative. (I would have liked a glossary for these. Not all of their meanings were guessable.) The author’s note at the end is worth a read as she details out why so many of the stories are “heartbreaking, harrowing, and hopeless”.
The commonality of the theme across the tales works both ways. The topic unifies the entire book into an impactful experience, with each story tackling the theme in its own way. The stories feel very authentic too. But after a point, there’s a sense of stagnation coming in as you feel the repetitiveness and the dreariness. Not just because the tales are gloomy but also because the ideas feel recycled across multiple stories at times – scholarship woes, multiple jobs, white peoples’ attitude towards “outsiders”, misogynistic thinking,… To add to it, most of the stories focus only on negative experiences. It becomes very heavy to take in after a point. The anthology would certainly work much better if you don’t read it in one go but spread it out over a few days.
I read this over the course of a week, and hence the stories clicked well with me, though I neither am an immigrant nor am much aware of Zimbabwean culture and thinking. The straightforward writing was much to my liking, with the well-rounded narratives, the detailed character building and the impactful endings (not necessarily providing closure) delivering an outstanding short story experience.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the sixteen stories, eleven reached/crossed the 4 star mark. Most of the rest fell between 3-3.5 stars, with only one story going below 3. My top favourites from this collection were:
Definitely an anthology I would recommend. Would work for those interested in knowing about a different culture, reading about feminist/misogynistic issues, or learning about immigrant problems.
3.9 stars, based on the average of my ratings for the individual stories.
My thanks to Mukana Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Send Her Back and Other Stories”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
The sixteen stories in this collection are all linked in their theme. Each is from a woman’s perspective, each woman is of Zimbabwean background, most have emigrated to the US in hope of a better life, and most are struggling to make ends meet in their new country. The stories are told in a very blunt manner. There’s no beating about the bush, nor is there any attractive façade to cover the darkness underneath. Many stories left me infuriated, sometimes at the characters, sometimes at the situation.
The writing approach is quite varied, with first person, third person and even second person narratives. There are plenty of Shona words and phrases in the narrative. (I would have liked a glossary for these. Not all of their meanings were guessable.) The author’s note at the end is worth a read as she details out why so many of the stories are “heartbreaking, harrowing, and hopeless”.
The commonality of the theme across the tales works both ways. The topic unifies the entire book into an impactful experience, with each story tackling the theme in its own way. The stories feel very authentic too. But after a point, there’s a sense of stagnation coming in as you feel the repetitiveness and the dreariness. Not just because the tales are gloomy but also because the ideas feel recycled across multiple stories at times – scholarship woes, multiple jobs, white peoples’ attitude towards “outsiders”, misogynistic thinking,… To add to it, most of the stories focus only on negative experiences. It becomes very heavy to take in after a point. The anthology would certainly work much better if you don’t read it in one go but spread it out over a few days.
I read this over the course of a week, and hence the stories clicked well with me, though I neither am an immigrant nor am much aware of Zimbabwean culture and thinking. The straightforward writing was much to my liking, with the well-rounded narratives, the detailed character building and the impactful endings (not necessarily providing closure) delivering an outstanding short story experience.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the sixteen stories, eleven reached/crossed the 4 star mark. Most of the rest fell between 3-3.5 stars, with only one story going below 3. My top favourites from this collection were:
Return to the Land of Giant Suns – One of the few positive stories in this book, offered much to think about - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Unseen – A girl seeking attention by acting out. Hardly any time would you see a female character depicted this way. - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Torture in Minnesota – What a snowy winter means to an immigrant. My favourite from this collection. - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Not So Micro – How you are always an “outsider” because of your skin colour. Loved the intelligence and realism in this story. - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Dear Aunt Vimbai – The only novella length story, but what character building! Outstanding! - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Definitely an anthology I would recommend. Would work for those interested in knowing about a different culture, reading about feminist/misogynistic issues, or learning about immigrant problems.
3.9 stars, based on the average of my ratings for the individual stories.
My thanks to Mukana Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Send Her Back and Other Stories”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
December 27, 2022
Thank you, Mukana Press, for the advance reading copy.
Sixteen short stories in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading each story which represents the struggles and the experiences the community representative of immigrants in the US. The stories represent the discrimination on the colour of the skin, the outer appearances, the culture and the beliefs as well as the doubts and the issues they go through almost everyday being judged and discriminated. These stories teach a lot about human nature and behaviour. And some shows pretty transparently how things haven't changed much.
Some stories are written pretty well while a few stories are a bit difficult to go through. Overall, a good collection to understand the immigrants and their present day struggles.
Sixteen short stories in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading each story which represents the struggles and the experiences the community representative of immigrants in the US. The stories represent the discrimination on the colour of the skin, the outer appearances, the culture and the beliefs as well as the doubts and the issues they go through almost everyday being judged and discriminated. These stories teach a lot about human nature and behaviour. And some shows pretty transparently how things haven't changed much.
Some stories are written pretty well while a few stories are a bit difficult to go through. Overall, a good collection to understand the immigrants and their present day struggles.
July 12, 2022
This work is a collection of short stories revolving around female protagonists from Zimbabwe; some are immigrants to America, some still live in Zimbabwe. The stories explore issues of displacement, identity, misogynism, racism, and belonging.
These stories were well written overall, and they were all easily digestible. I enjoyed the protagonists who were quite varied in their motivations and development, and the secondary characters also felt alive in a way that added depth to the work. Despite the differences in the protagonists’ stories, they were all connected by common wants and experiences (some positive, many not).
The author addressed some difficult and relevant issues in this work, relevant to immigrants and women specifically. While these didn’t necessarily make for happy stories, they were realistic and relatable. I also enjoyed the author’s writing style – it was straightforward and simple without being overly so, which made it all the more suited for tackling some of these tough issues. I listened to the audiobook version of this work, and I loved the narrator. She has a lovely voice and excels at bringing the characters’ stories to life.
I highly recommend this work and think that it will grant some meaningful insight into the female immigrant’s experience in America.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This title will be published on July 25, 2022.
These stories were well written overall, and they were all easily digestible. I enjoyed the protagonists who were quite varied in their motivations and development, and the secondary characters also felt alive in a way that added depth to the work. Despite the differences in the protagonists’ stories, they were all connected by common wants and experiences (some positive, many not).
The author addressed some difficult and relevant issues in this work, relevant to immigrants and women specifically. While these didn’t necessarily make for happy stories, they were realistic and relatable. I also enjoyed the author’s writing style – it was straightforward and simple without being overly so, which made it all the more suited for tackling some of these tough issues. I listened to the audiobook version of this work, and I loved the narrator. She has a lovely voice and excels at bringing the characters’ stories to life.
I highly recommend this work and think that it will grant some meaningful insight into the female immigrant’s experience in America.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This title will be published on July 25, 2022.
July 26, 2022
This collection of short stories was a great glimpse into a culture I personally did not know much about. I do wish the tone of the stories or the voice had felt a bit more different through the different stories, but there were definitely a few unique, strong characters. All of the women in this collection are either in Zimbabwe, an immigrant, or child of immigrants now in the United States. I liked the way that the stories tackled really tough issues. In a time when Americans can be cold and callus towards the experience of immigrants I think we need more stories that give voice to the immigrant experience. I also really liked that there was no sugar coating to these stories and the themes were to be frank rather dark, but I felt this made them more realistic. These stories are well written and at least a couple of them are going to be sticking with me for quite some time.
February 16, 2022
ARC provided by NetGalley, thank you.
Take 15 women who’ve immigrated to the United States from Zimbabwe and observe the way 15 lives look nothing alike. And then the subtle ways their experiences are similar.
These short stories cover a lot of territory. The protagonists are all women who’ve immigrated to the United States from Zimbabwe, most of them mix with the education system in some way. And yet, as tempting as it is to assume their experiences will all be roughly the same, they are all so very different. A single mother raising a 14 year old daughter. A mail order bride? (Implied but not stated.) A perpetual student. A soon-to-be widow. So many others. If you enjoy reading in order to see how other people experience life, add this to your shelf.
While each protagonist’s situation is unique, as a whole, they share common threads of experience. Not fitting in. Family expectations. The US visa and immigration system. Weird and insensitive shit people say to them. The meeting of two cultures. Isolation and loneliness. A feeling of never being quite enough for anyone. There is constant tension in these stories, which is to say, the pages practically turn themselves.
That being said, there isn’t a lot of happiness here. In most of the stories, the main characters are primarily interacting with people who are hurting them in some way. And I totally respect the choice to focus on these stories, I can see how they serve a purpose, but it also almost implies by omission that a happy life cannot exist for these women. I don't think that was the intent, and I still enjoyed and appreciated the stories.
Overall, an enjoyable collection of short stories.
Take 15 women who’ve immigrated to the United States from Zimbabwe and observe the way 15 lives look nothing alike. And then the subtle ways their experiences are similar.
These short stories cover a lot of territory. The protagonists are all women who’ve immigrated to the United States from Zimbabwe, most of them mix with the education system in some way. And yet, as tempting as it is to assume their experiences will all be roughly the same, they are all so very different. A single mother raising a 14 year old daughter. A mail order bride? (Implied but not stated.) A perpetual student. A soon-to-be widow. So many others. If you enjoy reading in order to see how other people experience life, add this to your shelf.
While each protagonist’s situation is unique, as a whole, they share common threads of experience. Not fitting in. Family expectations. The US visa and immigration system. Weird and insensitive shit people say to them. The meeting of two cultures. Isolation and loneliness. A feeling of never being quite enough for anyone. There is constant tension in these stories, which is to say, the pages practically turn themselves.
That being said, there isn’t a lot of happiness here. In most of the stories, the main characters are primarily interacting with people who are hurting them in some way. And I totally respect the choice to focus on these stories, I can see how they serve a purpose, but it also almost implies by omission that a happy life cannot exist for these women. I don't think that was the intent, and I still enjoyed and appreciated the stories.
Overall, an enjoyable collection of short stories.
February 14, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for this free arc in exchange for an honest review !! <3
4.5 stars
Wow,better than i thought.
So i requested for this arc because of the cover and as my first arc, i seriously didn’t know what to expect but im glad this was my first to start with.im not the biggest fan of short stories but this one really made me wonder if I should start reading short stories.
I’ll be very honest,the front part of the story was too slow paced for my liking and while i loved most of the stories and characters,there were some parts i just wanted to skip but i knew it may be a crucial part to the character’s development(since the story is short,if i just skip maybe I’ll miss out on something important).
this story revolves around the lives of different black females in the states,struggling to survive and to be accepted by the community,the pressure they are under to do well in a foreign country,how many of them are either not welcomed at home or just have no way to go back anymore because everyone is waiting for them to do well.America,the land of dreams…also the place where the dreams of many people are crushed .as a person of colour,im fortunate im not a us citizen because I don’t have to undergo all of this shit just to work and earn money.but unfortunately,i still see all those racist remarks,casual or not everywhere…”freedom of speech”is the excuse people use to say whatever they want(including very mean comments)I seriously cannot imagine what the immigrants have to go though ?.This book seriously made me realise how severe racism is ??(mostly in the states cuz everyone’s just in love with the country and all that but don’t ever seem to notice this problem) And urm unfortunately ,how tough it is for someone that’s not white to cope with the life in that country as a minority.
by the way,I really enjoyed the writer’s style of writing like 95% of the time,it was pretty easy to understand her words,how simple the writing is and yet how complicated the issue she is writing about is,the contrast is seriously amazing.(and this is her debut novel !!I think I’m already looking forward to her next book)
maybe I’ll actually reread this title,it really gave me a much deeper understanding of the life of a poc in the states and yea I’m glad to have picked it up
4.5 stars
Wow,better than i thought.
So i requested for this arc because of the cover and as my first arc, i seriously didn’t know what to expect but im glad this was my first to start with.im not the biggest fan of short stories but this one really made me wonder if I should start reading short stories.
I’ll be very honest,the front part of the story was too slow paced for my liking and while i loved most of the stories and characters,there were some parts i just wanted to skip but i knew it may be a crucial part to the character’s development(since the story is short,if i just skip maybe I’ll miss out on something important).
this story revolves around the lives of different black females in the states,struggling to survive and to be accepted by the community,the pressure they are under to do well in a foreign country,how many of them are either not welcomed at home or just have no way to go back anymore because everyone is waiting for them to do well.America,the land of dreams…also the place where the dreams of many people are crushed .as a person of colour,im fortunate im not a us citizen because I don’t have to undergo all of this shit just to work and earn money.but unfortunately,i still see all those racist remarks,casual or not everywhere…”freedom of speech”is the excuse people use to say whatever they want(including very mean comments)I seriously cannot imagine what the immigrants have to go though ?.This book seriously made me realise how severe racism is ??(mostly in the states cuz everyone’s just in love with the country and all that but don’t ever seem to notice this problem) And urm unfortunately ,how tough it is for someone that’s not white to cope with the life in that country as a minority.
by the way,I really enjoyed the writer’s style of writing like 95% of the time,it was pretty easy to understand her words,how simple the writing is and yet how complicated the issue she is writing about is,the contrast is seriously amazing.(and this is her debut novel !!I think I’m already looking forward to her next book)
maybe I’ll actually reread this title,it really gave me a much deeper understanding of the life of a poc in the states and yea I’m glad to have picked it up
March 26, 2022
A beautifully written debut novel by Munashe Kaseke. It is a fast read with short stories of different immigration experiences of women from Zimbabwe. There are eye-opening stories of the different trials and tribulations women from Zimbabwe immigrate to the United States. I did not know all the different ways people could immigrate to the United States and what was involved. It is a great book and cannot wait to see if she writes more.
I would like to thank Mukana Press for an advance digital copy of the book via NetGalley. The book is set to be published 7/25/2022.
I would like to thank Mukana Press for an advance digital copy of the book via NetGalley. The book is set to be published 7/25/2022.
January 21, 2024
This book of Essays covers experiences that the author, Munashe Kaseke, experienced during he life. Unrelenting racism and sexism were normal for her and also lack of recognition Struggling to stay in America while trying to earn a degree, a student visa is what helped her to stay and fight.
Reading this immigrant experience from this perspective and in short story format was truly eye opening. A woman from Zimbabwe trying to make it in American with fight after fight. This novel had sixteen stories written as essays and they were all linked in one way or another. POVs change from first person to third person, but remained interesting throughout.
Many thanks to Makuna Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Reading this immigrant experience from this perspective and in short story format was truly eye opening. A woman from Zimbabwe trying to make it in American with fight after fight. This novel had sixteen stories written as essays and they were all linked in one way or another. POVs change from first person to third person, but remained interesting throughout.
Many thanks to Makuna Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 26, 2022
This is an insightful, timely collection of stories centering on the experiences of a myriad of Zimbabwean women of varying ages from differing socio-economic and educational backgrounds. The other "isms" - colorism, sexism, racism - also come into play in both overt and covert circumstances in and out of their homes, businesses, schools/universities, and work environments. These women, while studying and working in the US, experience discrimination/racism/prejudice, microaggressions, and (in most cases) the losing side of immigration and naturalization politics. Personally, I found the stories which dabbled in culture/identity, assimilation (to and from the US), and the sacrifices surrounding the pursuit of the "American Dream" are most heartfelt and engaging. I enjoyed them all, but these stood out to me:
Return To The Land of Giant Suns – a woman returns to visits and remarks that although five years abroad, her parents appeared to have aged 15, while the city seems to have aged 20. I found her challenges and difficulties to re-assimilate, the need to dispel stereotypes and inaccuracies (on both sides) caused by what was promoted in the media about African and the US extremely insightful. I learned about the plight of Zimbabwe as a country and the residents struggling with a collapsed economy, corrupt politics, and failing infrastructure and institutions.
The Collector of Degrees – just wow – in this story, I was floored by the rules and regulations surrounding student visas and the ramifications it has on immigrants! There is just no winning in this scenario!! I did not know what I did not know!
Not So Micro – explores preconceived notions, microaggressions, and presumptions even amongst the "progressive liberals" at a dinner party in Palo Alto, CA, and my heart felt for Rudo in The Zimbabwean Dream – the expectations and obligations placed on the one who goes abroad to provide for family who remains "home," is utterly unbelievable and stressful beyond belief.
An enjoyable offering despite the somewhat depressing, oppressive vibe that is woven in many of the stories.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
Return To The Land of Giant Suns – a woman returns to visits and remarks that although five years abroad, her parents appeared to have aged 15, while the city seems to have aged 20. I found her challenges and difficulties to re-assimilate, the need to dispel stereotypes and inaccuracies (on both sides) caused by what was promoted in the media about African and the US extremely insightful. I learned about the plight of Zimbabwe as a country and the residents struggling with a collapsed economy, corrupt politics, and failing infrastructure and institutions.
The Collector of Degrees – just wow – in this story, I was floored by the rules and regulations surrounding student visas and the ramifications it has on immigrants! There is just no winning in this scenario!! I did not know what I did not know!
Not So Micro – explores preconceived notions, microaggressions, and presumptions even amongst the "progressive liberals" at a dinner party in Palo Alto, CA, and my heart felt for Rudo in The Zimbabwean Dream – the expectations and obligations placed on the one who goes abroad to provide for family who remains "home," is utterly unbelievable and stressful beyond belief.
An enjoyable offering despite the somewhat depressing, oppressive vibe that is woven in many of the stories.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
July 26, 2022
These short stories bring to life the immigrant experiences of people, mostly women, from the African country of Zimbabwe. Many of the stories highlight the horrible mess that is the US’ immigration system: one story focuses on a perpetual student with multiple degrees, because that’s the only way she can stay in the US; another story has a paper marriage as the backdrop, necessary for the woman to be able to stay in the US after dropping out of college; and so forth. Another story demonstrates the misogyny built into both the Zimbabwean culture and the US, featuring a highly educated woman in the tech field, being treated like she’s nobody by her new coworkers and another with a father in Zimbabwe totally ignoring his daughter in favor of his two sons, leading her to resort to rebellious behavior just to get her father’s attention.
I was sucked into these stories and really enjoyed them, but the endings of many of them was a bit sudden. I wanted to know more! What happened next to these people I had grown to care about?
Thank you to NetGalley and Mukana Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I was sucked into these stories and really enjoyed them, but the endings of many of them was a bit sudden. I wanted to know more! What happened next to these people I had grown to care about?
Thank you to NetGalley and Mukana Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 24, 2022
Each of these short stories is told from the perspective of a Zimbabwean woman, whether a recent or second-generation immigrant. They come from all classes, from the very poor to the affluent, though most are well-educated. The common thread between them is suffering.
This book really got me down. I can't deny that there is value in these stories, but none of them had a happy ending, although some of the women managed to struggle through and arrive at a better place than when the story started. It's fair to acknowledge that Zimbabwean women in America face a lot of difficulties, but I have to imagine that's not all they face. The style and emotion of these stories got very redundant after a while, and it was hard to pick it up to try to finish it.
This book really got me down. I can't deny that there is value in these stories, but none of them had a happy ending, although some of the women managed to struggle through and arrive at a better place than when the story started. It's fair to acknowledge that Zimbabwean women in America face a lot of difficulties, but I have to imagine that's not all they face. The style and emotion of these stories got very redundant after a while, and it was hard to pick it up to try to finish it.
August 6, 2022
This was a strong collection of short stories centered around a female character living in or immigrating from an African country. There are some common themes and experiences among some of the stories, but each also serves to highlight a different perspective within the African diaspora and among immigrant voices. Many of the stories were eye-opening, some were heartbreaking, others were uplifting, all gave me as the reader a lot to think about. I can imagine that even reading a few of these stories would spark discussions in classrooms and in book groups. It's fabulous to see greater diversity in the stories that are published and this set of stories is an important addition to add layers and nuance in mainstream societal perceptions of the immigrant experience especially the African immigrant perspective.
Many thanks to Mukana Press and NetGalley for the ebook.
Many thanks to Mukana Press and NetGalley for the ebook.
August 24, 2022
Send Her Back is a collection of short stories that detail the experiences of Zimbabwean immigrant women to the US, and the many challenges they face.
I enjoyed the author's clear, strong voice; however, both her voice and the stories got a little repetitive. There were a few protagonists that stood out as distinctive, but many of them were indistinguishable from each other. I feel that the collection would have been stronger if it had some stories that felt more different from each other. Otherwise, I would almost prefer the stories be edited into a novel, with a single cohesive narrative. With the sameness of the narration and the characters, it almost felt like it could be a single story.
I will still definitely be keeping an eye out for future work from this author - I feel that with a little more time and experience, she could become a very powerful storyteller.
Thank you to BookishFirst for the ARC.
I enjoyed the author's clear, strong voice; however, both her voice and the stories got a little repetitive. There were a few protagonists that stood out as distinctive, but many of them were indistinguishable from each other. I feel that the collection would have been stronger if it had some stories that felt more different from each other. Otherwise, I would almost prefer the stories be edited into a novel, with a single cohesive narrative. With the sameness of the narration and the characters, it almost felt like it could be a single story.
I will still definitely be keeping an eye out for future work from this author - I feel that with a little more time and experience, she could become a very powerful storyteller.
Thank you to BookishFirst for the ARC.
February 17, 2022
The experience of migration, adaptation, and survival in a new country is life-changing, often wrought with turbulence. Send Her Back and Other Stories is a collection of short stories that tell clear-eyed truths about life in the diaspora for women from Zimbabwe. Munashe Kaseke tells diverse stories with women protagonists – sometimes hopeful, often heart-breaking – of losing and finding oneself and of transforming racial and ethnic identities. Each story offers a lens into struggles in parenting, friendships, romantic involvements, and other relationships complicated by diasporic experiences.
Reading the anthology from my point of view as an immigrant woman, many stories are all-too-familiar. Stories such as “The Collector of Degrees'' and “Send Her Back” tell of a broken immigration system that keeps immigrants in a constant state of insecurity and hypervigilance because of their precarious status. These stories deal with how undocumented people are often forced to engage in questionable but necessary activities to stay in the country, such as engaging in sham marriages and stacking degrees.
Kaseke’s stories are based in many parts of the United States, from Baltimore to North Dakota, from Silicon Valley to Minnesota. Whether in Mozambique or in Indiana, each story offers a lens into being a woman in Zimbabwe and the transformational effect of moving to a different place. The stories “Unseen” and “Imported Husband'' discuss the complexities of navigating gender roles and establishing one’s identity. Dating is often a thorny path for Black, immigrant women, as depicted in “Territorial” and “When Zimbabwe Fell for Wyoming.” When not dealing with microaggressions or everyday subtle insults and invalidations, a Zimbabwean woman who dates white American men must contend with the contradictory harms of invisibility and hypervisibility, of being shunned and being exotified.
Immigrants often carry the burden of caring for parents, siblings, and other family members back home, while also trying their best to survive in America. The stories “Globe-Trotter” and “The Zimbabwean Dream” explore the disconnects between expectations and the reality of life as immigrants from Zimbabwe to the United States. Visions of success and transcending economic limitations are common, and often incompatible with gargantuan effort and sacrifices required to thrive in the U.S., where success is often measured by accumulating wealth, material possessions and other status symbols.
The author sheds light on often-untold stories of the immigrant experience, stories that focus on desperation, loneliness, isolation and longing for home. Kaseke shares the guilt and shame of balancing assimilationist tendencies, while also staying true to Zimbabwean heritage and culture. Newcomers work hard to create a life in America, while also reaching and giving back to the homeland. Pursuing the American dream can be costly, and the price a woman must pay for belonging and affirmation almost always involves a broken heart and endless tears.
Reading the anthology from my point of view as an immigrant woman, many stories are all-too-familiar. Stories such as “The Collector of Degrees'' and “Send Her Back” tell of a broken immigration system that keeps immigrants in a constant state of insecurity and hypervigilance because of their precarious status. These stories deal with how undocumented people are often forced to engage in questionable but necessary activities to stay in the country, such as engaging in sham marriages and stacking degrees.
Kaseke’s stories are based in many parts of the United States, from Baltimore to North Dakota, from Silicon Valley to Minnesota. Whether in Mozambique or in Indiana, each story offers a lens into being a woman in Zimbabwe and the transformational effect of moving to a different place. The stories “Unseen” and “Imported Husband'' discuss the complexities of navigating gender roles and establishing one’s identity. Dating is often a thorny path for Black, immigrant women, as depicted in “Territorial” and “When Zimbabwe Fell for Wyoming.” When not dealing with microaggressions or everyday subtle insults and invalidations, a Zimbabwean woman who dates white American men must contend with the contradictory harms of invisibility and hypervisibility, of being shunned and being exotified.
Immigrants often carry the burden of caring for parents, siblings, and other family members back home, while also trying their best to survive in America. The stories “Globe-Trotter” and “The Zimbabwean Dream” explore the disconnects between expectations and the reality of life as immigrants from Zimbabwe to the United States. Visions of success and transcending economic limitations are common, and often incompatible with gargantuan effort and sacrifices required to thrive in the U.S., where success is often measured by accumulating wealth, material possessions and other status symbols.
The author sheds light on often-untold stories of the immigrant experience, stories that focus on desperation, loneliness, isolation and longing for home. Kaseke shares the guilt and shame of balancing assimilationist tendencies, while also staying true to Zimbabwean heritage and culture. Newcomers work hard to create a life in America, while also reaching and giving back to the homeland. Pursuing the American dream can be costly, and the price a woman must pay for belonging and affirmation almost always involves a broken heart and endless tears.
September 8, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. (The audiobook version was not available on GoodReads so I am including the review here).
Send Her Back and Other Stories by Munashe Kaseke is a unique, heart wrenching, and beautiful collection of stories that focus on the very different experiences of Zimbavwean women in the U.S. What I loved about this story was Munashe’s ability to show that even within one culture the experience of immigrating to the U.S. is never a monolith and how each of those variations can make a world of a difference on the experience you have as a woman here in the U.S.
As an immigrant myself, I appreciated being able to see myself in some aspect of the characters that Munashe presented but also loved the fact that I was able to be introduced to so many women whose experiences were very different from my own but still very much valid experiences of immigrant women.
The stories of love and heartbreak were particularly interesting to me. Many of them had various levels of depth, and Munashe’s stories allowed me to question things in my own life as an immigrant that I hadn’t dared to put into questions before and to see these questions and answers play out in a different character was quite cathartic.
I really loved this book and look forward to purchasing a physical copy of the book soon. However, as an audiobook there was a slight problem with the fact that the narrator did not make enough of a distinguishing difference between each story. Having a slight pause or changing tone when reading a new title of the story would have made it easier to pause and digest one story as its own before moving on to the next. Sometimes this made the stories confusing because they seemed to flow into each other but would be about a completely different topic. Other than this one small comment I did enjoy the narrator and appreciated the inclusion of Shona throughout the book. I was able to visualize the differences in each character based on the narrator’s intonations and the emotion shared at different points of the book.
Send Her Back and Other Stories by Munashe Kaseke is a unique, heart wrenching, and beautiful collection of stories that focus on the very different experiences of Zimbavwean women in the U.S. What I loved about this story was Munashe’s ability to show that even within one culture the experience of immigrating to the U.S. is never a monolith and how each of those variations can make a world of a difference on the experience you have as a woman here in the U.S.
As an immigrant myself, I appreciated being able to see myself in some aspect of the characters that Munashe presented but also loved the fact that I was able to be introduced to so many women whose experiences were very different from my own but still very much valid experiences of immigrant women.
The stories of love and heartbreak were particularly interesting to me. Many of them had various levels of depth, and Munashe’s stories allowed me to question things in my own life as an immigrant that I hadn’t dared to put into questions before and to see these questions and answers play out in a different character was quite cathartic.
I really loved this book and look forward to purchasing a physical copy of the book soon. However, as an audiobook there was a slight problem with the fact that the narrator did not make enough of a distinguishing difference between each story. Having a slight pause or changing tone when reading a new title of the story would have made it easier to pause and digest one story as its own before moving on to the next. Sometimes this made the stories confusing because they seemed to flow into each other but would be about a completely different topic. Other than this one small comment I did enjoy the narrator and appreciated the inclusion of Shona throughout the book. I was able to visualize the differences in each character based on the narrator’s intonations and the emotion shared at different points of the book.
March 28, 2022
Let me start by saying that I was totally taken with your cover, while we have many Adults and Children of color who read, I see only a few people of color on the covers of novels. So thank you doing this, I showed my children the book cover and you should have seen the smiles on their faces! Now to the novel Munashe writes with beauty, She much like a poet putting a quill pen to paper, or perhaps an artist with paint to canvas. I read her stories and was drawn in. I felt like I was standing on the street corning, watching it all go by, while it brought back so many of my own memories. Thank you for creating this story and sharing the beauty of your prose while sharing that life has not alwasys been fair.
April 4, 2022
This is really an eye opening read for me. It stirs up all sorts of emotions for me. I felt humbled by all the stories, the good bit, the bad bit, some we see on the news or in the movies but often forgetting what one went through to produce such movies. This book helped me to dig deep, see the shadows casted by the characters in this book. I like the author’s note too. I will definitely recommend this book to people around me and to my local library. Many thanks Munashe Kaseke and Mukana Press for this opportunity to read the advance copy of this book on NetGalley.
May 20, 2022
My heart went out to all the main characters in these stories. Really enjoyed reading these stories and getting a glimpse on pressures and expectations placed on Zimbabwean women.
Review based on an ARC received in a Goodreads giveaway.
Review based on an ARC received in a Goodreads giveaway.
September 24, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝙄𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙊𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙈𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙬𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘���� 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨.
Let me start off by saying I highly recommend you read this book and more from own-voice authors, regardless of my review. A three-star doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy this book, it just means it wasn’t for me personally. However, I still really appreciate this book and would 100% recommend it without a doubt.
I don’t tend to read many short stories, I can never actually connect with each story and the characters. Each one of these stories is told by a Zimbabwean immigrant woman. While each story was so touching and moving, it just wasn’t for me. Again, I really understand and appreciate the author here.
I loved the diversity of these women, some are from the poor class and others are higher up… however, one similarity is that they’re all very well-educated and told in such a beautiful way.
Many of these women struggled as immigrants and reading each one of the stories just made me so sad and heartbroken. Immigration is such a sensitive topic that relates to my family’s past generation. Reading about these women had me so upset as it’s unfortunately such an upsetting topic.
One of my issues with the book itself was the repetitiveness. Many of the stories just felt very similar and I would’ve loved a bit of a difference in each one. There were some stories I enjoyed more than others.
Again, this is more of a personal thing. I wish I could’ve loved this more, but unfortunately, this is usually the case with short stories. I would’ve loved a bit more length to each one… or maybe a novel focusing on a Zimbabwean woman’s struggle with immigration.
I would still recommend this book because this is my personal rating. I’m sure many others out there who are the intended readers will love it more.
Thank you so much BookishFirst for the giveaway win in exchange for my honest thoughts!
𝙄𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙊𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙈𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙬𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘���� 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨.
Let me start off by saying I highly recommend you read this book and more from own-voice authors, regardless of my review. A three-star doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy this book, it just means it wasn’t for me personally. However, I still really appreciate this book and would 100% recommend it without a doubt.
I don’t tend to read many short stories, I can never actually connect with each story and the characters. Each one of these stories is told by a Zimbabwean immigrant woman. While each story was so touching and moving, it just wasn’t for me. Again, I really understand and appreciate the author here.
I loved the diversity of these women, some are from the poor class and others are higher up… however, one similarity is that they’re all very well-educated and told in such a beautiful way.
Many of these women struggled as immigrants and reading each one of the stories just made me so sad and heartbroken. Immigration is such a sensitive topic that relates to my family’s past generation. Reading about these women had me so upset as it’s unfortunately such an upsetting topic.
One of my issues with the book itself was the repetitiveness. Many of the stories just felt very similar and I would’ve loved a bit of a difference in each one. There were some stories I enjoyed more than others.
Again, this is more of a personal thing. I wish I could’ve loved this more, but unfortunately, this is usually the case with short stories. I would’ve loved a bit more length to each one… or maybe a novel focusing on a Zimbabwean woman’s struggle with immigration.
I would still recommend this book because this is my personal rating. I’m sure many others out there who are the intended readers will love it more.
Thank you so much BookishFirst for the giveaway win in exchange for my honest thoughts!
September 19, 2022
Send Her Back
I would like to thank NetGalley and Munashe Kaseke for a advanced readers copy of this book.
The book is an amalgamation of sixteen short stories which are set around the perspective of Zimbabwean women both in their own country and immigrants of USA. The stories are pretty straightforward leaving the reader in a turmoil of emotions mainly anger to either the main character or their situation.
Few of my favourite stories are NOT SO MICRO, where a person is defined by their skin colour. UNSEEN where the main character draws attention by acting out so she can have equal rights as her brothers. THE COLLECTOR OF DEGREES relating to the struggles of an overseas student.
In her book Munashe explores some hard hitting subjects like displacement, identity, misogyny, racism and a sense of being belonged. All the stories were very touching and thought provoking. They weren’t all happy endings or sad ending but they were realistic and you could resonate with these stories, either the characters or the situations they were in.
I really enjoyed reading these short stories, I loved Munashe writing style how she created unique situations for each character. Eagerly waiting for the authors next book.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Munashe Kaseke for a advanced readers copy of this book.
The book is an amalgamation of sixteen short stories which are set around the perspective of Zimbabwean women both in their own country and immigrants of USA. The stories are pretty straightforward leaving the reader in a turmoil of emotions mainly anger to either the main character or their situation.
Few of my favourite stories are NOT SO MICRO, where a person is defined by their skin colour. UNSEEN where the main character draws attention by acting out so she can have equal rights as her brothers. THE COLLECTOR OF DEGREES relating to the struggles of an overseas student.
In her book Munashe explores some hard hitting subjects like displacement, identity, misogyny, racism and a sense of being belonged. All the stories were very touching and thought provoking. They weren’t all happy endings or sad ending but they were realistic and you could resonate with these stories, either the characters or the situations they were in.
I really enjoyed reading these short stories, I loved Munashe writing style how she created unique situations for each character. Eagerly waiting for the authors next book.
September 26, 2022
A beautiful collection of stories by strong women and their experiences between Zimbabwe and the US. A mash of courage, strength, heartbreak, and frustration. Each story is unique and touches on a plethora of topics told in varying POV’s. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in learning about other’s experiences, struggles, and triumphs.
I would like to send my thanks to Munashe Kaseke and the Mukana publishers for this ARC copy. This review is my true and honest opinion. 💙
I would like to send my thanks to Munashe Kaseke and the Mukana publishers for this ARC copy. This review is my true and honest opinion. 💙
June 11, 2023
This was a powerful anthology that really makes us see how difficult immigrants have it in the USA, specially women from Zimbabwe.
We see different stories from a variety of women, but they all have that thing in common.
Not all the stories are cute and we don't have a happy ever after assured for every story, but that's part of what makes it so real and it gives us an insight on how hard immigrant women have it.
From cultural differences to the fear of being deported, ungrateful families that believe you are a magical ATM just because you made it in the US, to the unfair migration system. This anthology covers almost everything up and it's so real it makes you cry in frustration.
It also gives us a great insight for intersectional feminism, since all women have different experiences and not everything applies the same to all of us, even when we are part of a minority as well.
I highly recommend this book to everyone that wants to get an insight for immigrants on their side, and for people that wants to understand more about to intersectional feminism.
We see different stories from a variety of women, but they all have that thing in common.
Not all the stories are cute and we don't have a happy ever after assured for every story, but that's part of what makes it so real and it gives us an insight on how hard immigrant women have it.
From cultural differences to the fear of being deported, ungrateful families that believe you are a magical ATM just because you made it in the US, to the unfair migration system. This anthology covers almost everything up and it's so real it makes you cry in frustration.
It also gives us a great insight for intersectional feminism, since all women have different experiences and not everything applies the same to all of us, even when we are part of a minority as well.
I highly recommend this book to everyone that wants to get an insight for immigrants on their side, and for people that wants to understand more about to intersectional feminism.
March 22, 2022
As my first real collection of short stories, I really enjoyed this book.
As a White person, I will never totally understand what people go through when moving to another country in order to pursue a better life for themselves, the struggles that they face when they arrive there and then continue to face once they are trying to settle and get comfortable in the United States.
The writing of the stories was very well done and fast paced which meant it was easy to follow along with however the stories are all fairly sad in nature as you would imagine them to be with the premise of this book, some do end in a hopeful outlook however. All the stories of the same nature but different enough that it keeps you hooked.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to Munashe Kaseke's next book!
Thankyou to NetGalley and Mukana Press for this ARC in return for an honest review.
As a White person, I will never totally understand what people go through when moving to another country in order to pursue a better life for themselves, the struggles that they face when they arrive there and then continue to face once they are trying to settle and get comfortable in the United States.
The writing of the stories was very well done and fast paced which meant it was easy to follow along with however the stories are all fairly sad in nature as you would imagine them to be with the premise of this book, some do end in a hopeful outlook however. All the stories of the same nature but different enough that it keeps you hooked.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to Munashe Kaseke's next book!
Thankyou to NetGalley and Mukana Press for this ARC in return for an honest review.
December 2, 2022
I knew she needed my love more than I needed hers, but I was too broken to offer the best version of myself.
🦄🦄🦄
Send Her Back and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by Munashe Kaseke that tell the tales of the struggles that immigrant black women from Zimbabwe face. All of the stories are to the point and follow a similar pattern when they talk about the different issues faced by these women, with racism and sexism being the most common.
All sixteen stories are emotional and thought-provoking while still being able to grasp on to a reader's attention by being captivating. However, I will say that they're also a bit repetitive, as we see a lot of the same patterns in a couple of storylines, so after a while, it loses a bit of its spark.
But, it's still one of those books that's hard to put down, even though the content does feel heavy. It's a book that you can finish in a couple of days because the way the author has written the book makes you feel emotionally attached to the characters. There's a lot of sadness in this book; however, there are also these happy and joyful moments that cause you to hold on to the hope that there's a better future out there.
What I loved the most about these stories is how true they represent the Zimbabwean culture, and while I didn't know much about it, I felt like I finished this book learning a lot more.
Overall, it's a must read for everyone, regardless of the kinds of books you enjoy, because although this is technically "fiction," it's very much a reflection of what's happening in the world as we speak.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 8/10
Melina L.
🦄🦄🦄
Send Her Back and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by Munashe Kaseke that tell the tales of the struggles that immigrant black women from Zimbabwe face. All of the stories are to the point and follow a similar pattern when they talk about the different issues faced by these women, with racism and sexism being the most common.
All sixteen stories are emotional and thought-provoking while still being able to grasp on to a reader's attention by being captivating. However, I will say that they're also a bit repetitive, as we see a lot of the same patterns in a couple of storylines, so after a while, it loses a bit of its spark.
But, it's still one of those books that's hard to put down, even though the content does feel heavy. It's a book that you can finish in a couple of days because the way the author has written the book makes you feel emotionally attached to the characters. There's a lot of sadness in this book; however, there are also these happy and joyful moments that cause you to hold on to the hope that there's a better future out there.
What I loved the most about these stories is how true they represent the Zimbabwean culture, and while I didn't know much about it, I felt like I finished this book learning a lot more.
Overall, it's a must read for everyone, regardless of the kinds of books you enjoy, because although this is technically "fiction," it's very much a reflection of what's happening in the world as we speak.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 8/10
Melina L.
August 29, 2022
A collection of short stories. 15 women, immigrated to the United States from Zimbabwe. Different women, different experiences, different paths with a common cultural ground to some extent. From poverty, from good economic status, education, to lack thereof. Unique lives and experiences but all have faced, endured, or met some tragedy, struggle, and profound pain. Coming to America for that "better life and opportunity" only to be met with prejudices, sexism, and trauma of some kind. With the struggle also comes hope and endurance in each voice....in some of the voices. It's an intense and harrowing read. Beautifully written, such deep insight, an interesting prospective written solely of and for the voice of women. Sometimes it's uncomfortable to read and I think that's what makes this book so powerful. It's truth and experiences and a reality for so many.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
September 3, 2022
Thank you Mukana Press for the ARC! This book was thought provoking and struck me emotionally as I read each of the stories. Many are sad, but eye opening and courageous as the female character in each story had to wrestle with herself to remain true to her heritage and who she is as a strong woman.
The women's stories each different in content but each sharing a similar message about the difficulties of being a woman of color and the immigration challenges that happen when they come to America. Your home and upbringing vs the new countries acceptance or lack thereof can cause for some unbearable turmoil as shown by each of these women. Yet, they are determine, powerful, strong and resilient. These stories will move you. I truly enjoyed this book.
The women's stories each different in content but each sharing a similar message about the difficulties of being a woman of color and the immigration challenges that happen when they come to America. Your home and upbringing vs the new countries acceptance or lack thereof can cause for some unbearable turmoil as shown by each of these women. Yet, they are determine, powerful, strong and resilient. These stories will move you. I truly enjoyed this book.
July 13, 2022
This was an emotional roller coaster. Some stories were hopeful, most were heartbreaking. This intimate look into the immigrant experience, particularly from Zimbabwe makes it impossible to not feel things. The women in these stories faced hardships that most American born citizens could never imagine but need to. Among all the hardships, I also saw empowerment and strength. Even in the stories that didn't end well. It's difficult to describe my feelings about this book. I certainly didn't "like" it, but think it is a must read.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 30, 2022
This is a fascinating collection of short stories telling of the immigrant experience in America from the various and unique perspectives of an assortment of Zimbabwean women. Their experiences range from the humourous to the heartbreaking, but their power is in their truth. Munashe Kaseke is an emerging voice who is one to watch. Recommended
Many thanks to Mukana Press for providing me with a copy to read and review.
Many thanks to Mukana Press for providing me with a copy to read and review.
February 23, 2023
Thank you to the publishers for the giveaway copy!
This is an absolutely amazing anthology. I could not get enough of this book. Each perspective and voice was so unique. I felt connected to every single POV in just a matter of a few pages. This anthology looks at many different perspectives of Zimbabwean immigrant women- perspectives I can say I have never once read of before. I highly recommend this book!!!
This is an absolutely amazing anthology. I could not get enough of this book. Each perspective and voice was so unique. I felt connected to every single POV in just a matter of a few pages. This anthology looks at many different perspectives of Zimbabwean immigrant women- perspectives I can say I have never once read of before. I highly recommend this book!!!
June 19, 2023
I've received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is a strong debut from the author: Munashe Kaseke. This collection of short stories shows the struggles, sorrows, joys, and triumphs of black immigrant women facing racism, sexism, culture shock, societal pressures from their loved ones and communities back home and seeing their efforts to better their futures (for themselves and their loved ones) in the United States. I can only speak as a black woman who was born and raised in the United States, but there is still a lot that I found incredibly relatable. The microaggressions, the uneasy looks, the awkward silences, the mispronunciations of your name that you cherish all felt authentic to the experiences I have faced as well. The book was well written and flowed well. I can't think of anything I could add that wasn't already brilliantly articulated by the author's words, so I highly recommend this for everyone to read. The narratives are told from the perspective of black immigrant women, but there's something for everyone to learn from.
There are sixteen stories, so here are some of my favorites:
When Zimbabwe Fell For Wyoming; The Collector of Degrees; Ghost Of My Mother; Imported Husband; Not So Micro; It's So Much More Complicated When You Love Him; The Zimbabwean Dream; An Ostrich Partnership.
I see a bright future for the author.
There are sixteen stories, so here are some of my favorites:
When Zimbabwe Fell For Wyoming; The Collector of Degrees; Ghost Of My Mother; Imported Husband; Not So Micro; It's So Much More Complicated When You Love Him; The Zimbabwean Dream; An Ostrich Partnership.
I see a bright future for the author.
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