Zimbabwean Author Sue Nyathis Novel Becomes Global Hit After Netflix Adaptation

When Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi sent her debut novel The Polygamist to publishers, they thought there was no market for the book about a married man and his multiple relationships.

From Self-Publishing to Global Success

Nyathi took matters into her own hands, publishing 500 copies herself in 2012. Her perseverance paid off as the series became a huge hit, defying predictions and reaching number two in the US.

The Netflix adaptation has taken the show to new heights, with Hollywood actress Taraji P Henson praising its impact, binge-watching all 22 episodes in one day.

A Nuanced Exploration of Polygamy

Nyathi's novel is not a straightforward story about polygamy. The author draws from her own family history, where her grandfather had five wives and her great-grandfather had 11.

Her grandmother, the first wife in a polygamous marriage, played a crucial role in maintaining harmony among the household members. Nyathi notes that 'there was no infighting' due to everyone knowing their place.

The Modernised Version of Polygamy

Nyathi's novel explores the modernised, or perverted, version of polygamy – a practice relying on deception instead of consent. The author emphasizes the importance of agency and consent in relationships.

'I'm not against polygamy,' Nyathi says. 'What I'm against is the lack of agency. It's wrong for the goalposts to be shifted once you're inside.'