A Girl Named Disaster
A Girl Named Disaster is a 1996 novel authored by Nancy Farmer. The narrative explores themes of survival in a challenging environment, emphasizing a female viewpoint, the journey of growing up, and spiritual insight.
This work earned significant recognition, including the 1997 Newbery Honor, placement on the American Library Association's list of Top Ten Books for Young Adults, and it was shortlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
Plot
Set around 1981 in a traditional Shona community in Mozambique, the story follows Nhamo, an 11-year-old girl whose name reflects the misfortunes that have plagued her family. After enduring a cholera outbreak, surviving a leopard attack, and escaping an arranged marriage orchestrated by a deceitful witch doctor, she flees with her ailing grandmother’s blessing, some gold nuggets, and essential survival knowledge. Guided by her grandmother’s advice, Nhamo steals a boat and embarks on a river journey toward Zimbabwe, confronting natural dangers such as hippos and crocodiles while dealing with the trials of adolescence.
What was intended as a short voyage turns into a year-long ordeal characterized by hunger and peril from wildlife. Nhamo finds sanctuary on an island believed to be haunted, living among baboons. During this isolation, spiritual dialogues offer her comfort. Despite numerous hardships and episodes of near starvation, she ultimately arrives in Zimbabwe where scientists care for her as she adjusts to modern life before reuniting with her father’s family. There, she encounters pressure to relinquish her ancestral spiritual customs as part of integrating into contemporary society.
Characters
- Nhamo Jongwe: Known as "Disaster" because of the many difficulties she endures; nevertheless, she demonstrates ingenuity and intelligence.
- Aunt Chipo: Nhamo's resentful aunt who favors her own daughter Masvita by imposing the most strenuous tasks on Nhamo.
- Masvita: Nhamo's compassionate cousin who treats her with kindness despite her mother’s animosity.
- Aunt Shuvai: A younger aunt of Nhamo who shows little concern toward her.
- Uncle Kufa: The practical husband of Chipo.
- Ruva: The second daughter of Chipo.
- Ambuya: Grandmother to both Nhamo and Masvita; one of the few family members who genuinely loves and respects Nhamo. Chipo harbors resentment toward Ambuya for favoring her other daughters.
- Crocodile Guts: A fisherman encountered during the story.
- Sister Gladys: A nurse who later tends to Nhamo.
- Goré Mtoko: A man killed by Nhamo’s father.
- Muvuki: A witch finder featured in the narrative.
- Rumpy: A tailless baboon who bullies Nhamo but is eventually killed.