Love, loss and the frailty of man

 

The novel 'Kengeza la Jasiri' by Shisia Wasilwa is a story of love and the frailty of man, twisted by both his internal conflict and forces beyond his control. Haunted by what could have been but force fed bitter dregs of life.

It follows the lives of Jasiri and Zulekha Barua. Young lovers full of hope and optimism about life and where they stand in it, until they are inexplicably split asunder and thrown to different countries, each lost to the other.

Life goes on, but Jasiri seems rooted to the past, he never fully lets go of the dreams and love of his youth. Not even marriage and a growing family seem able to drag him to the present, understandably. His present, like the past he craves is stalked by loss.

Life has different plans for the protagonist, beset by heartbreak and tragedy at every turn.

Even when Jasiri and Zulekha Barua's lives seem headed to a reunion and and answer to questions raised throughout the book, it is a reunion that hints at a thunderous clash of people and circumstance.

Kengeza is Swahili for a squint or cross eyed, and could denote challenges with vision.

In this case it could encompass a range flaws for Jasiri. Some personally inflicted and others thrown his way by circumstances. He has everything but his sights remain on that which seems lost to him.

The author weaves a fantastic tale of love and loss. It is a commentary of life and how even the best dreams can turn into a nightmare.

The narration starts slow, but once it picks pace, it is riveting tale dragging the reader in with unexpected turns. The promise of redemption becomes a mirage that moves away the moment it looks like it is finally at hand, like that of Kato Thamani Zengwe.

Secondary characters reinforce the dominant theme of yearning and loss. They push along the narrative, offering glimpses of the life around the main characters and how it affects them.

Shedi is a counterweight to Barua, conscientious and dutiful, and ultimately the vessel of her salvation.

The book is riddled with references to current affairs, Covid-19 afflicts some. It is also easy to see where the author draws his inspiration: the late Ken Walibora is mentioned a few times.

The book handles sub-themes that address societal ills and how they affect the people caught up by them. There are glimpses of generational conflict, religious corruption and promiscuity.

Like the good work of art it is, it looks at society and throws back what is in the mirror.

Kato and his antics could very easily have been living in the current times of societal conflict with self-proclaimed men of God leading questionable lives.

It is a book that deftly handles topical themes and tells them in relatable terms.

However, the author, like many Swahili authors suffers from the syndrome of digging out obscure vocabulary and sprinkling it liberally in his narration.

'Kengeza la Jasiri' shows why Wasilwa is among the rising crop of Swahili fiction writers, with a growing list of works to his name, both as a writer and editor.

He has previously written books like 'Makovu ya Uhai' and 'Dunia Tambara Bovu'.