Skip to main content

Book Review: The Kings that Didn’t Need This Queen

Until you resolve your brokeness, you will continue to be broken.



I am pretty stoked about sharing this month's read. As a writer, reading various forms of literature enriches the craft. Reading builds culture and reinforces application of lessons learnt. I also read books and blogs by fellow writers to support their work through commenting, and sharing. This is how we grow communities you see.

Prior to offering a review of this month's book, I would like to share a brief history of the writer. I met this young woman, Nobuhle Nyoni at a birthday, and album listening party for producer and artist, Verseless. She was friendly and bubbly, we even shared a ride into town as we went home. That wouldn't be the last time that I would be in communication with her.

Through the magazine that I am editor for, we made effort to push her event. Though I didn't manage to attend the event, I saw the potential of this young woman. In 2017, under the collective called Veryus, Nobuhle would take me by surprise as a singer. I was blown away when I heard her on the motivational single, 'Ngizophakhama' (I will rise). This was the introduction to an artist called uBu (You be you), a moniker she uses for her personal blog.

Months ago she sent me a message with regards to her debut book. I asked her to send it through. I will share further in the next coming days what I did with this read on a larger scale. For now, I review this book within my personal space. Titled, 'The Kings that Didn’t Need This Queen', Nobuhle is the protagonist of this book.

She takes readers through her different relationship experiences. She is the 'queen' who met ten 'kings' at different stages of her life. She chronicles the timeline of each relationship from the start until the break up. She ends each chapter with what she calls 'coins', which are lessons that the reader can take away.

"They did not need me because I was stuck in a zone where I was hoping to make a replica of what I had lost."

Nobuhle reflects upon the root causes of the disintegration of each relationship. It all started when she broke her first love's heart. He was the 'High school king'. As she digs further, she discovers that the need for male approval began with the father figure in her life. With each relationship she seeks validation and security. She pressures herself to suit her suitors whilst losing herself in them. At the end of the book, she realises all her mistakes.

This book is relatable to the millenial woman. She uses simple language with pop culture references that speak to Gen Y and Z. In an age where self love is now a priority, the writer offers an introspective view of relationships. She is focusing more on young women to find themselves before desiring to finding a partner. She is encouraging fathers and father figures to set a standard for female children to look up to. It is a father's responsibility to show his daughters what true love looks like. He needs to teach them self worth so that they can stand up for themselves when they are not treated well.

'The Kings that Didn’t Need This Queen' is linked to a series on Nobuhle's blog, uBu. Titled, 'Until It Happens to You', the writer goes into detail of the challenges and traumas of one of her relationships. 

As taken from her book, Nobuhle is a Zimbabwean writer who grew up in many parts of Zimbabwe. The Kings that didn't need this Queen is her first book to be published. She has sharpened her writing skills over the years through her blog titled YouBeYou, where she touches on life experiences, sex, sexuality and relationships.

You may find her work on her website uBu.

You might want to get yourself a copy of 'The Kings that Didn’t Need This Queen'.

Catch you on the next read...

P.S. Always write your own love story!

Ciao!

Lady E



Comments

Popular Posts

The Slow Burn

Stop trying to control everything and start experiencing the slow burn. Hello, single ladies! Comment ça va mes amies? "Je suis bien!   Gather around; today we are having coffee and tea. I'll get my dose of caffeine as usual. I'm so inspired by the previous article. The inspiration came from the last few paragraphs, where I wrote about the slow burn. I remember the movie, "I Want You Back." The character Emma tells Peter that he's attractive, and she would date him, despite the fact that he is a slow burner. And then Kacey Musgraves' "Slow Burn" starts playing in my head. ("I'm alright with a slow burn"). As I decided to rewrite the scripts for my "love story," the last part challenged me. Do you remember what Kat Valdez said in "Marry Me"? If you want something different, you have to do something different. So, you make a different decision. I thought long and hard about that statement. I believe that I'm ...

Mother Dearest...Bitter Pill for Mother's Day!

There's no greater heartache than living life motherless. I'm wondering when I will finally rejoice and sing, 'The Storm is Over.' I've never been a good liar, this has been a very rough season. Finding hope in hopelessness is hard. Friends are few in the darkest times, doors are closed, and you feel as if your prayers are hitting a brass heaven; instead of God's ears. Sigh! Mothers day! I love how the commercial buzz around this day prompts many to dig deep into their pockets to repay their mothers. It's not just hallmark cards, but bouquet of flowers, fancy brunch or lunch dates, the huge grocery hampers, and more. Mum, amai, mama , went through a lot to make you the person you are, so she deserves you to give her the world. As one popular entertainer said, she is the one, and probably only person, who will pray for you and your wellbeing from the depths of her heart. Mother's Day is a day to celebrate and honour the women who brought us into this ...

Single ladies: Wife material

MPV.....my point of view! Single Ladies: Wifen Material *Royal wave*Hey single ladies,your guide is back.The pursuit for Mr Put-A-Ring-On-It is on.Today I would like to make you a get-a-ring-on-it lady. Now following my articles,'Single Ladies Part 3',where I talked about the prince searching for a 'real princess',or 'Queen';and 'Brown Sugar',where the word 'brown sugar' was defined as wifen material,I would like to talk about 'wifey material'.(Whether we are that). How do we single ladies get that ring-on-it,you ask?By being wifey material.My uncle keeps on telling me,'If you want to become Mrs X,you should be a wife.You are a wife before he puts a ring on it'.What he means is that,a man will treat you the way you portray yourself.How,you ask? Ever noticed the difference between a wife and a girlfriend.Now let me break it down for you.A girlfriend usually,takes life in a more leisurely way;unlike a wife,whose focus is mo...

Put It In A Love Song...The Love Note

 "Say you love me, say you love me, put it in a love song....."-Alicia Keys featuring Beyoncé Yea, yea, lack of originality, I know, what is up with the song titles. I can't help it. I'm in love! Music is my Muse. Actually, it is my first love; my true love; love of my life; I bleed love,(oops, there she goes again);and my everything. Music is my life! So I guess, I draw a lot of my writing inspiration from songs, and for my life there are so many soundtracks. Right now, I'm in between Coyote Ugly and Burlesque soundtracks. But music is like that. It has so much power over our lives, and I believe it is the best gift that God ever placed on this earth. Music has brought us Michael Jackson who bridged the racial gap; empowerment,(born this way);inspiration,(the greatest love of all);affect change,(what's going on);bring nations together,(waka waka) and made us dance,(living la vida loca ). Music is the friend when you are alone, that connection to the divine, b...

The School of life

Hello world ! My name is Lady E and I am here!  Beyonce's 'I Was Here' would be a name of the list of people who left their mark on the world and I will be on it! I am here, not yet a graduate of the School of Life, but bearing the scars of life,(well learnt lessons). I had an epiphany over the weekend.  If I am to entitle my autobiography, I would call it '[c] The Makings Of A Queen'. Yes, I am the Queen of my Empire. I am a work in progress,there is still so much to learn, but I am finally where I am supposed to be.(And from here on I am working towards where I am going).  Yes, I do admit that I have complained that my life should have gone in the 'order' that I wanted it to go, but of late, it has dawned on me, had it gone my way, I probably wouldn't have known what I know now. The school of life teaches us what no school,or university or college can teach.Education can equip people to be smart and technical,but the practicality of life is way d...