Plot Summary

The Stone Virgins

Yvonne Vera
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The Stone Virgins

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2002

Book Brief

Yvonne Vera

The Stone Virgins

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2002
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Zimbabwe • 1980s

Publication Year

2002

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Stone Virgins by Yvonne Vera centers on the story of sisters Thenjiwe and Nonceba, depicting rural Zimbabwe's turbulent transition from colonial rule to civil war. The novel follows their lives in Kezi, focusing on Thenjiwe's love affair with a city man named Cephas, the trauma inflicted by the war, and Nonceba's journey towards healing. The novel sensitively explores themes of violence, personal and national identity, and postcolonial struggles.

Dark

Melancholic

Mysterious

Unnerving

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.8

338 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Yvonne Vera's The Stone Virgins is widely praised for its lyrical prose and vivid depiction of Zimbabwe's turbulent history. Critics laud Vera's powerful storytelling and evocative imagery, though some find the non-linear narrative challenging. The novel's intense themes and complex characters offer a gripping yet demanding read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Stone Virgins?

Readers who enjoy The Stone Virgins by Yvonne Vera would likely have an appreciation for lyrical prose and historical fiction set in Africa. They would be drawn to stories of resilience amid political turmoil and human rights challenges. Fans of Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese might find this book compelling.

3.8

338 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Zimbabwe • 1980s

Publication Year

2002

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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