Glory

HEPHZIBAH ANDERSON, THE OBSERVER (UK)

"Inspired by George Orwell's Animal Farm and drawing on elements of creaturely folktales, the author's vigorous satire of political turmoil in her native Zimbabwe is 'peopled' by animals ... Bulawayo finds plenty of trenchant farce and surreal humour in the situation ... When the novel flows it takes a line like 'on the other paw' to remind us that these characters aren't human in form, which drives home one of Glory's most vital and universal observations: that in ordinary circumstances, it's all too easy 'to get used to that which should have otherwise been the source of outrage'. Whether it's piglets and kittens or men and women who are on the receiving end of outrageous acts, it's our task to remain indignant, and what better way to signal it than with scornful laughter."

FRANKLIN NELSON, FINANCIAL TIMES (UK)

"The author deploys a diverse cast of ordinary citizens to map how individual lives have been stunted by the ruling party. She also sets in motion a sub-plot that assumes greater importance as the novel reaches its climax ... At intervals, Bulawayo captures the buzz and occasional bitterness of online exchanges and, in a kind of literary vox pop, briefly enters unnamed characters' heads, revealing a mixture of hope, apathy and anger at the fate of their homeland ... Glory is a memorable, funny and yet serious allegory about a country's plight under tyranny and what individual and collective freedom means in an age of virtual worlds and political soundbites."