23 March 2012

Two's company.....five is a crowd!

Submitted by: Sukoluhle Nyathi

Just when you thought you had your fill of raunchy threesomes and love triangles, here comes the sassy, sexy and sophisticated story of The Polygamist! No, it’s not a biography of President Jacob Zuma, although he certainly put polygamy back on the map. (Who can forget the opening of Parliament when Zuma appeared with his three wives in tow, his two younger wives jostling for position whilst his older and unassuming wife looked on?) Instead, author Sue Nyathi is dishing the dirt on contemporary relationships, where marriage is not an inviolable institution, but flimsy, flexible and not always fabulous.

The Polygamist (978-0-620-52260-1, paperback, 194 pages) is narrated through the voices of the four female protaganists with only one thing in common: Jonasi Gomora. A wealthy banking magnate who oozes charm and plenty of sex appeal, Jonasi is the centre of their universe and they orbit him until their paths collide. Set against the backdrop of a decaying Zimbabwe, Nyathi tells a frank yet witty tale about these women’s love for a powerful man and the impact he will have on all of their lives.

According to a survey of 2,000 South Africans conducted by TNS, 74% responded that polygamy was a problem and not surprisingly the greatest opposition was from women! So it’s not surprising that this is a topic that fires up opinions! From a societal perspective, The Polygamist explores the “modern-day” version of polygamy where men purport to be monogamous, but are constantly on the lookout for the next prize.

Polygamy is widely practiced in many parts of the world, with justification often rooted in religious beliefs with supporters pulling out verses from the Bible or the Qu’ran. Remember HBO’s drama series “Big Love” which focused on a Mormon community in Utah? In many African countries, deep-seated cultural practices support and uphold polygamy. However, whichever school you subscribe to, the book delves into the heads of women who find themselves in these polygamous unions, whether willingly or unwillingly. More importantly, the book brings to the fore the significance of polygamy in a society plagued with HIV and Aids

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