I suppose NoViolelt Bulawayo’s new book, Glory, is a satire of sorts or perhaps an allegory. (It’s NOT Animal Farm). Glory starts out at a celebration for Old Horse, the “father of the nation,” who had, in 2017, ruled Bulawayo for almost 4 decades. The military who accompany him are known as the Defenders; they’re dogs.  Other characters are goats and chickens etc but I think that serves mostly to distance the reader from the events of the book rather than to give meaning. 

Glory
By Violet Bulawayo 2022
Read by Chipo Chung 16h 10m
Rating: 9.25 / political satire 
(I finished this back in January!)

Bulawayo was planning a nonfiction book about Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe but found that political satire would suit her purposes better. As satire it sometimes works, but it’s very difficult to laugh at something so tragic -there are very funny bits but those are in the beginnings of the book.  

The story actually takes place very generally during the presidency of “Crocodile” of Zimbabwe from 2017 until today (2021) . Prior to Mnangagwa, Robert Mugabe was “President” with Mnangagwa as Vice President.  This lasted for almost 4 decades and then Old Horse seems to want “Dr. Sweet Mother” to be Vice President possibly to succeed him as President.  This results in a. Military coup and the return of “Crocodile.”  

The plot line in the book tells the story of Destiny, a writer who has returned to her home in Jidada because she knows it’s the time of revolution. Her family and friends catch her up on what has transpired.