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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not bad, but also just sort of ~eh~. I feel like I coasted a long the whole time thinking that it was enjoyable to read because of the writing style, but then I got to the end & felt like nothing had really happened.
Purple Hibiscus follows 15-year-old Kambili, who grows up in a strict and abusive household ruled by her fanatically religious father in Nigeria. When she and her brother spend time with their more liberal aunt, they experience freedom and warmth for the first time, which changes their understanding of love, faith, and identity. As political unrest grows in the country, so does tension within their family, leading to a dramatic and tragic shift in their lives.
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
complex without being overstuffed, an important modern classic that I didn’t like so much as appreciate. the best parts of this book are external to its protagonist—while I understand it was meant to highlight the trauma, grief, and fear she carries in her body, it made for a bit of a boring read. it made me long for every other character’s perspective. weak ending, ultimately, after so much build. a bit of a cop out, and kept the protagonist passive in her own narrative
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
medium-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
A window to a different life, more of an experience novel than story driven (not my type of book but beautiful nonetheless)
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
Purple Hibiscus Review
*Some spoilers included*
There must be an artform to writing from a perspective/culture you are unfamiliar with and making it very easy on the eye to read. Adichie smashes this considering the storyline and some of the difficult issues raised.
There are topics of a particularly sensitive nature here and are listed below.
⚠️ Triggers: miscarriage, pregnancy, torture, domestic violence, political warfare, violence, torture, mental and physical abuse
I like how food is one of the common centered themes to this book which brings people together and is something Nigerian women (stereotypically) put a lot of time and effort into and do not take for granted especially when meat is considered a luxury amongst poorer families.
A few eye opening moments especially when as a result of the main character having menstrual cramps and her brother taking the blame for eating before Mass how they all feel the lick of papa's belt. This seemed to escalate quite quickly, reflecting perhaps papa's short temper and showing what depths he will go to to control his family under religious circumstances.
Some really hard to read bits in here but what I find the interesting is the way the book is structured, how time is disjointed and the order of events. You get some real glimpses of how Kambili's quality of life may be richer in terms of certain things like education and food but lacks in love and trust unlike her auntie and cousins life.
An interesting twist at the end - where the pace seemed to pick up very quickly and (for me)which came out of nowhere.
A solid ⭐⭐⭐ - I wanted to love it especially as the content and themes of the book are important but I didn't find myself totally gripped throughout.
*Some spoilers included*
There must be an artform to writing from a perspective/culture you are unfamiliar with and making it very easy on the eye to read. Adichie smashes this considering the storyline and some of the difficult issues raised.
There are topics of a particularly sensitive nature here and are listed below.
⚠️ Triggers: miscarriage, pregnancy, torture, domestic violence, political warfare, violence, torture, mental and physical abuse
I like how food is one of the common centered themes to this book which brings people together and is something Nigerian women (stereotypically) put a lot of time and effort into and do not take for granted especially when meat is considered a luxury amongst poorer families.
A few eye opening moments especially when as a result of the main character having menstrual cramps and her brother taking the blame for eating before Mass how they all feel the lick of papa's belt. This seemed to escalate quite quickly, reflecting perhaps papa's short temper and showing what depths he will go to to control his family under religious circumstances.
Some really hard to read bits in here but what I find the interesting is the way the book is structured, how time is disjointed and the order of events. You get some real glimpses of how Kambili's quality of life may be richer in terms of certain things like education and food but lacks in love and trust unlike her auntie and cousins life.
An interesting twist at the end - where the pace seemed to pick up very quickly and (for me)which came out of nowhere.
A solid ⭐⭐⭐ - I wanted to love it especially as the content and themes of the book are important but I didn't find myself totally gripped throughout.