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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
A very bittersweet read. Kambilis growing observations were gripping to read, and though it was difficult to take in at times, there were small snippets of hope to focus on. Something as simple as her learning to laugh out loud, had a bittersweet joy. The end took a darker turn than I expected, and the last few pages felt rushed or glossed over, but it very much deserves a high rating. I loved the contrast of such corruption, and political/religious unrest, against the beauty of nature in its most raw form. The imagery is so easily imagined and so beautifully created.
My 2nd book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and I was every bit as hooked as Americanah. Her writing is flowing and descriptive in a understated way, and I look forward to to discovering more of her work.
My 2nd book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and I was every bit as hooked as Americanah. Her writing is flowing and descriptive in a understated way, and I look forward to to discovering more of her work.
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hold it in my heart
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence
medium-paced
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed this book and read it in only 2 sittings. The books protagionist Kambili is a quiet 15 year old girl who after staying with her aunt for a week begins to have wider opinions about the world.
Adichies writing is easy to follow and engaging. The characterisation of Kambili's father as a religious zealot was one I recognized and one I felt was accurately portrayed. Kambili's father Eugene has an obsession with perfection, and this idea of perfection is one centered around Britishness and is in the shadow of colonisation. This perfection in his Church, work and wider community is perfectly contrasted with the abuse he puts his family through when they fail to meet his expectations and demands.
The depiction of the psychology of the victim is eye opening and at times disheartening. Especially as Kambili's unassuming and quiet nature makes her seem younger and more innocent than her 15 years.
I will not spoil the book but Kambili's and her brothers journey to their aunts home is one that has a natural progression and is not forced. For Adichies debut it is quite good and I look forward to sampling some more of the authors work.
I enjoyed this book and read it in only 2 sittings. The books protagionist Kambili is a quiet 15 year old girl who after staying with her aunt for a week begins to have wider opinions about the world.
Adichies writing is easy to follow and engaging. The characterisation of Kambili's father as a religious zealot was one I recognized and one I felt was accurately portrayed. Kambili's father Eugene has an obsession with perfection, and this idea of perfection is one centered around Britishness and is in the shadow of colonisation. This perfection in his Church, work and wider community is perfectly contrasted with the abuse he puts his family through when they fail to meet his expectations and demands.
The depiction of the psychology of the victim is eye opening and at times disheartening. Especially as Kambili's unassuming and quiet nature makes her seem younger and more innocent than her 15 years.
I will not spoil the book but Kambili's and her brothers journey to their aunts home is one that has a natural progression and is not forced. For Adichies debut it is quite good and I look forward to sampling some more of the authors work.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
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
More of a religious fiction, rather than historical fiction. It was obviously set against the canvas of civil unrest in Nigeria, but I felt most of the historical elements were just there and not really the driving factors. The religious elements, on the other hand, were an integral part of the story and a major driving force for the narrative. The catholic conversion and the extreme beliefs of Kambili's father caused by it were very interesting to read. The drastic actions due to religious brainwashing were somehow both incredible and conceivable at the same time; either way, very horrible. Kambili's arc of starting from a protected and insular upbringing and then discovering infinite possibilities was good, but left a lot to be desired. The ending took me by surprise, but the epilogue was very lukewarm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Religious bigotry
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a wonderful and sad book. Kambili is such a beautiful character and her inner-dialogue is both honest and frustrating. Particularly during the beginning of her stay with her aunt where you just want to force her to speak up and come out of her shell.
A review I read mentioned how we’re kind of thrown into her world, with little explanation to certain things but how it’s so easy to just embrace it all as someone’s story because you’ve only been invited to have a glimpse at this one place in their lives. And honestly, that sums up so many feelings about this book.
The complex relationship with her father is a work of art for a book of fiction, how someone can be two things at once regardless of their sheer hypocrisy. Along with how the silence in the book slowly falls to the background and as you read the story, you come to life with Kimbili.
Adichie’s voice is lovely the way she truly embraces the first-person perspective. With such little effort, you feel as if you’re also swimming in Kimbili’s thoughts trying to figure out the same questions she is. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a bit of a fast-paced book with more emotional weight to it. Also recommend for anyone interested in stepping outside of literature molded by American culture and seeing that regardless of religion, race and geography, people struggle with similar demons. A truly beautiful and sad story.
A review I read mentioned how we’re kind of thrown into her world, with little explanation to certain things but how it’s so easy to just embrace it all as someone’s story because you’ve only been invited to have a glimpse at this one place in their lives. And honestly, that sums up so many feelings about this book.
The complex relationship with her father is a work of art for a book of fiction, how someone can be two things at once regardless of their sheer hypocrisy. Along with how the silence in the book slowly falls to the background and as you read the story, you come to life with Kimbili.
Adichie’s voice is lovely the way she truly embraces the first-person perspective. With such little effort, you feel as if you’re also swimming in Kimbili’s thoughts trying to figure out the same questions she is. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a bit of a fast-paced book with more emotional weight to it. Also recommend for anyone interested in stepping outside of literature molded by American culture and seeing that regardless of religion, race and geography, people struggle with similar demons. A truly beautiful and sad story.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
The audiobook narration was a bit off for my taste. But the story is remarkable
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Okay, so let me be clear: I think everyone should read this. It's a beautiful book, with an equally beautiful and heartwrenching story. I now know so much more about Nigeria and Igbo culture than I did before (which was admittedly very little) and I love that Adichie didn't hold my hand through it, insisting on keeping Igbo language in the story without always translating it. Another major point: I think this has some of the best characterisation of domestic abuse that I've ever read in a fictional story. I could feel Kambili's panic, her heart racing, her hypervigilance. Her fear of her father and his control of the family leapt out from the page, and was made all the more tense by the political situation the characters found themselves in. The effects of colonisation vs domestic violence were juxtaposed beautifully, in my opinion. I only rated it a little less than I would have because the subplot with the young adult priest seemed a little weird; it was fine that Kambili had a crush on him, of course, but he seemed a little too familiar with her in a way that made me think he was gonna take advantage of her vulnerability and continue the cycle of abuse. I'm glad he didn't, but still, it could have been toned down a little because it wasn't necessary for the story for his eyes to linger on her, or her cousin to make INCESSANT jokes about how they were lovers. Big yikes from me.