Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga is a seminal 1988 novel set in colonial Zimbabwe, narrated by young Tambu, exploring postcolonial identity, gender roles, and patriarchy through her quest for education and conflict with traditional societal expectations, highlighting the psychological toll of colonialism and cultural change on African women, particularly her cousin Nyasha. It's a coming-of-age story and the first in a trilogy, offering deep insight into the "nervousness" of navigating race, class, and shifting cultural identities.