BOOK REVIEW
Book title: The Shrink
Author:
Briggita Zwani
Publisher:
Biggles and Boggles - Botswana
Available for pre-Order:
Reviewed by: Olivia Unopa Molefe
‘The Shrink’ is a fictional but realistic and insightful read based on Tebogo Harrison’s life, a young Motswana Psychologist. Recently returned home from her studies overseas, she starts a new and exciting job as a Guidance and Counselling staff member at a local school, Mogwana High in a city in Botswana.
While the story is about a young woman who moves back from England with the hopes of forging a new life, it also presents challenges for this main character – challenges, which many can relate with and learn from within the realistic world.
Tegobo arrives at Mogwana High confident that her past is buried and forgotten. She immerses herself in her work, as ‘The Shrink’, taking each problem with elegant determination while dealing with work politics that include a challenging love triangle.
Her job requires her to mend and heal the psychological wounds of others, address broken family issues and handling psychotic personas. The book narrates difficulties faced by this psychologist who carries the burdens of others as well as her own.
While Tebogo tries to juggle her new life, her past slowly comes back to haunt her - this complicates her life but forces her to confront and address her old wounds. At the same time, she must outwit her nemesis before she is completely ruined.
‘The Shrink’ is a light hearted read, with little twists and a tinge of humour. It is a must read for parents with adolescents as well as teens who are struggling with changes in their lives. It subtly puts forward issues of misunderstanding, abuse, low self-esteem and other challenges that young people may be faced with but afraid to share in today’s society.
The novel is a ‘launch pad’ for an online comic, to be launched in 2018. It is apparent that the author intends to continue tackling psychological issues faced by young people using the comic series.