The Mad Man on First Street is an exciting, categorical and poignant piece of writing by the ever insightful David Chasumba. In his debut book, he explores both the past and the present of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwean diaspora, with a moving directness that immerses the reader into his world effortlessly.
Chasumba provides a relentlessly accurate depiction of the socio-political issues present in Zimbabwe, exhibiting his wide literary range, from Black nationalist activism during the Rhodesian bush war, to power relations across the racial divide, during and after the land reform, a feminist march protesting women's rights to be who they choose in modern day Harare, and a Zim dancehall musician struggling to beat a drug addiction to save his music career.
Chasumba asks questions of both his readers and his characters that will remain long after turning the last page.