Synopsis
Between Zimbabwe’s civil war and eventual state of independence, lives a man named Golide Gumede. Golide dreams of building an aeroplane so he can take his wife to Tennessee where she can realize her dream of being a country singer like Dolly Parton.
To achieve this dream means standing apart from the world. A world where building silver wings to help your wife be a country singer is unfathomable. Genie, his daughter, the girl who supposedly came from a golden egg, lives by following her father’s footsteps. The steps that lead to believing in the unbelievable, embracing the magic of life and thus rejecting the boundaries of man.
Her journey introduces us to other characters who try to navigate this newly independent country. Some merely live to exist, to survive. And others have higher ambitions. This novel transports us to liberated Zimbabwe while asking its readers to interrogate what liberation really is.
My Thoughts
This book was my first conscious reading of magical realism and I am completely inspired. Ndlovu’s writing harnesses passion reined in with genius control. The way she incorporates such dense and contrasting themes; imagination, politics, ambition, family, love, nature, corruption- whilst forming such crisp, captivating narratives. Just as you’re confused by the fantastical, she brings you back to earth with an explanation that leaves you saying ‘ohhhh…no way. That is brilliant.’ If this is what magical realism is, then I have opened myself to a new incredible world. A world where magic helps us grasp reality. Grasp it, and cope with it.
This book is so rich and dense that I can only divide it by a selection of key themes that I personally identified (there are many more though)
I think you made a mistake in thinking that revolutions have to involve masses of people. Real revolutions happen on farms, in workshops, in garages and in basements, usually in the middle of nowhere, propelled simply by the need to realize a dream.
Sipiwhe Gloria Ndlovu, The Theory of Flight
Dreams and Imagination
Imagination is the fuel that fires this story. The symbol of living unharboured by weak man-made boundaries. The fear or inspiration you invoke in others when you let your imagination soar. Golide believed in dreams.
To him, liberation was beyond the political struggle. It was about liberation of the mind. Where leaders who supposedly fought for freedom, dedicate their lives to achieving wealth even by means of corruption, Golide dedicates his life to building his wife a plane to help her reach her dreams. A selfless dream and a moving symbol. Golide, to me, is a lesson that life is to live uninhibited by society’s expectation, to dream passionately. To work on your dream each day, no matter what the world tells you, suspects of you and throws at you. And whether he achieved that dream or not, it’s the legacy of belief he left behind. Of hope and imagination he left in Genie. The seed he planted in her, like the sunflower field she adores.
What made the other elephants follow was the successful passage of the first…After watching the elephants, he understood that what was needed was merely his own belief in flight.”
Sipiwhe Gloria Ndlovu, The Theory of Flight
The Interconnectedness of Human Beings
The story is crafted like how a weaver may craft her baskets. Every human character has a significant role to play in the progression of events, even the ones you doubted were of any importance in the beginning. Their stories are fleshed with context, motives and riveting narratives that make you love, hate, sympathize or lose respect for them. This kind of story-telling is my favourite because it reminds me to never take people for face value.
From the beggar in the street to the woman walking to her office in shiny heels…I have no clue how they got there and why. We are all receptacles of human experiences and you can never judge from looking at just the blended waters of these merged events. And knowing this, we are, no matter what, all bound by an invisible thread. What happens one side of the world, is not as isolated from me as I think. This kinship is comforting to me. It makes it easier for me to love and be more open to those around me. To be less judging and to invoke a keener attitude to learn.
Material Freedom vs Mental Freedom
It’s closely tied with dreams and imagination because imagination means transcending the boundaries of reality. Golide’s dream to fly transcends the boundary of the land. A supposedly free land. The beauty of this novel is how it challenges two concepts that have the same name: freedom. Zimbabwe is free. But its people are not. They are still under the control of corrupt public officials. The freedom they fought for barely looks better than the colonial rule they were under. It interrogates us on what is true freedom? Is it on paper or is it within us? Remember what Bob Marley said: “emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.” No one is truly free until they can think freely.
Love
I am absolutely enamoured by Genie and Vida’s connection. Two unlikely beings sharing such a rich love with such painful challenges, you can’t help but believe in the cheesy idea of ‘soulmates.’ I realize that this cheesy concept does not mean ease. It means willingness to journey through all obstacles without ever losing that mutual love and respect, only intensifying it.
Also, to remain oblivious to what the world thinks or projects, because only you are accountable for your emotions. In this 20 year long relationship, Genie’s maturity shines from the very beginning, her grace, her perspective, her resilience. Her strong sense of self and certainty. To quote Gregory David Roberts, ‘the contours of virtue are shaped by human adversity.’ Genie’s contours of virtue shine like the life rings of chopped tree. She is a stunning force to be reckoned with…and one day I’ll sit in a bed of sunflowers thinking of her. Hoping to emulate her.
Discussion Questions
What do you think is the symbolism behind Genie coming from a golden egg?
What is your favourite quote in the novel and why?
Do you think that Eunice Masuku was justified in her actions?
Who would you say plays the most prevalent role in Genie’s story?
Which Character left the greatest impact on you and why?
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