Books The Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu

The Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu is a novel set in contemporary Harare, Zimbabwe, centering on Vimbai, a talented and confident hairdresser at a high-end salon. Vimbai enjoys being the best hairdresser and the queen of the salon until the arrival of Dumisani, a charming and flamboyant new hairdresser who quickly wins over customers and challenges her position. This sparks tension and rivalry between them.

As the story progresses, Vimbai and Dumisani's relationship evolves from enmity to a complicated friendship when Dumisani rents a room in Vimbai’s home. Dumisani is revealed to be from a wealthy, prominent family, but he chooses to be a hairdresser, which baffles Vimbai and others. Through this relationship and the salon's social environment, the novel tackles issues of class, race, gender, sexuality, and societal norms in Zimbabwe during a time of economic crisis.