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melist6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Infidelity, Classism, and Mental illness
Minor: Cultural appropriation
mauricekofi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
greenan26's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Xenophobia and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Classism
tetedump's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Deportation, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Racism, and Sexual assault
alicelalicon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Deportation, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Racism, Infidelity, Violence, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: War, Death, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
mildlypretentiousreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Relaxing your hair is like being in prison. You’re caged in.”
Americanah chronologies the lives of Nigerian immigrants, Ifemelu and Obinze, an engaged couple. Ifemelu legally enters the United States of America, while Obinze swiftly becomes an undocumented immigrant in London, England. The couple is soon separated by unforeseen circumstances and must rely on themselves to adjust to their new lives. Wrapped in the romance of the two main characters, the readers are thrown into the lives of numerous African immigrants as they navigate America and the UK.
An impressive number of issues are touched upon in Americanah. We watch the African immigrants grapple with the foreign concept of race and adjust and adapt their thinking towards other black ethnic groups in America and the UK. We watch how the pressures placed on immigrant teens can wreak havoc on their personal lives, resulting in suicide attempts. We witness the devaluation and degradation of black men and the over-sexualization of black women. We read about the victims of colorism and the constant and insistent hold texurism has on white society. All of these discussions are handled with nuance and grace.
I was not too drawn in by the plot of romance between Ifemelu and Obinze. I found it uninteresting and rather predictable. I also found that almost all the characters sucked, one way or another. Many lacked intersectionality and could not look past their own opinions. Others were habitual cheaters who lacked empathy. I was more into the political aspect of the Americanah than anything.
If I recall correctly, there were also mentions of Asian people that appeared to uphold the “model minority myth.” This rubbed me the wrong.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Racial slurs, Suicide, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Rape, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Classism, Racism, Suicide attempt, and Police brutality
ruthmoog's review against another edition
4.75
It's full of observations and discussions on race and honesty, and, living amongst a variety of cultures and places, which add depth to the storytelling and complexity to the characters' life journeys.
A great book!
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Death of parent, and Deportation
Minor: Police brutality and Slavery
Sexual coersionhot_water's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Infidelity, Hate crime, and Grief
caitlingrammer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Death, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and War
ariannam's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The novel gave me an insight into many unfamiliar situations and places (in Nigeria, USA, and UK), which sometimes proved hard to digest (Ifemelu's first years in the US are… sometimes almost unbearably hard to swallow, because of how unjust the system is), but always very engaging. What was most engaging, in my opinion, and most well-written of all, was the human aspect, especially in relationships. The dynamics, even the ugly ones, or the unsaid and unspoken things between people, are beautifully explored in these pages.
I would like to talk about the ending (spoilers below) with somebody, because the conversations I've had with friends about it make me think I'm alone in actually enjoying the ending. Is that true? Did anyone here like the ending?
Spoiler opinion/question about the ending: I think it is a little romance-novel idealistic that Obinze leaves his wife to be with Ifemelu at the end of the book, but I strongly disagree with my friends that this "ruins the book" and "Ifemelu goes back on her development" to be with him. For one, I don't think being happily in love is bad for character, and I think for what Obinze and Ifemelu had, they had to be together. They have a unique connection that can't be severed, so they would've been able to move on without each other, yes, but a cloud of unhappiness and unfulfillment would've hung over them. I'm happy he made the brave choice and decided to be with her, even though I don't believe it would easily happen in real life.
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Body shaming