The short story collection 3:15 am and Other Stories comes as Rudo Manyere’s debut into the literary world. Although having had some of her stories published in the multi-authored collection Brilliance Of Hope, this was her first dip into the water all alone. 3:15 am features nine stories which make it a fairly quick read. The tales encompass the period from colonisation, the days of the liberation struggle, to post independence.
The storytelling:
I don’t have quite the words for Rudo’s writing style but you could say she writes simply. This makes it especially easy to get attached to the stories she tells. She has described the anthology as the work of 23 year old Rudo and their works she has held onto and cherished for years. Until she finally got the chance to have them published.
From the first story Kurauone, it’s immediately noticeable that 23 year old Rudo maintained a healthy dose of cynicism. Kurauone is both a story that carries with it nostalgia and expectation, with the euphoria of a future once denied but now seemingly possible. Yet ultimately it’s a story of compromise. In fact as you go on from one story to the other, you realise that a simple happy ending to any of these stories, will not be forthcoming.
From just the outlook of how her stories begin, you would think that Rudo is the ultimate hopeless romantic. Yet the twists & turns the tales have give the image of the ultimate pessimist. Reading through this anthology was a constant journey of heartbreak. Some stories being heartbreakingly sad while others were heartbreakingly beautiful.
1965 is a standout favourite for me. It’s not just in how the story goes but the period it depicts. They’re chance encounters, a bit of racism, betrayals, heartwarming moments and a little bit more of racism. From the moment you begin it, you’ll be right at the edge of your sit. That story, is certainly one I would recommend everyone reads.
Pamushana follows as a close second but a part of me completely hates it. It covers the period from early post-independent Zimbabwe until the present day and it touches on tribalism & the Gukurahundi genocide. What seems like a simple story of a grandmother spending time with her granddaughter turns into an epic tale of love. A love spanning decades that ends in an unforseen reunion. A reunion which is short lived as she is dying. Rudo once again rips the rug from right under our feet with no warning.
3:15 am and Other Stories is a really great read but for all she got right, they are certain things she got wrong. Rudo’s dialogue between characters doesn’t necessarily fliw in some instances and you could almost describe it as slightly rigid. Some stories felt abruptly ended, as if Rudo had more she could tell but she just had to end it there and in some instances were she utilised indigenous phrases she went for the most formal version which generally isn’t how the average person speaks and that stuck out like a sore thumb.
However the anthology is a cohesive whole that dives into Zimbabwe’s past, while also shining a light on the present. Rudo Manyere showcases her brilliance as a storyteller and this makes “3:15am and Other Stories” an impressive debut.
A strong 6.5/10.
Book Details
Title: 3:15am and Other Stories
Authors: Rudo D.M Manyere
Genre: Short Story Anthology
Publisher: Carnelian Heart Publishing
