I admit, I suffered trepidation, when I picked up "House Of Stones," by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma. This first novel, set in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, and, coming on the heals of my having recently read "The Old Drift," which I loved, I feared this might be material having been gone over before.
Instead, the reader gets a story of two sons, and two generations of families. One son has run off, the other wants to be a part of the other family, because he views that patriarch as a "substitute father." Their histories, the back and forth of social and class conflicts, the unique scheme and betrayal the present son plays out, makes for a harrowing read that does not hit one until the very last sentence.
Character driven, but backed by enough historical research, Tshuma's first novel is a spellbinding, beautifully written read. It surprised me, to great delight, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world!
Don't get caught missing this great reading experience! Get a copy now, and realize the virtues of understated writing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a spectacular debut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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