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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
Wow, I did not expect to love this as much as I did! This is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's first novel and the first novel I have read by her and I cannot wait to read more of her work.
Adichie's writing style is so beautiful and detailed. The different settings of Enugu and Nsukka were so vivid and descriptive.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters. They were fleshed out and felt real. I especially loved Kambili, Jaja and Aunty Ifeoma.
Adichie's writing style is so beautiful and detailed. The different settings of Enugu and Nsukka were so vivid and descriptive.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters. They were fleshed out and felt real. I especially loved Kambili, Jaja and Aunty Ifeoma.
A literary masterpiece; just as good as Achebe's "Things Fall Apart".
I'd say one thing that made me like the book so much was its authenticity, and its honest depiction of a people. Whereas it may feel distant that the story evolves around a Nigerian family, the experiences described are not any short of universal. The book tackles the issue of domestic abuse, and the plight of the many who are constantly trying to rise out of it. Though narrated by a teenage girl, the book invites us to empathize with her despite whatever side we stand on, and it shows us that multi-faceted aspect of human character and morality. As much as we want to vilify Eugene, we see that there are many factors that shaped his actions: political unrest, religious affiliations, his serving as a paragon of Christianity to his society, his depression, and his (sincere but often misguided) view of love and obedience. We want to see an evil man, but we end up seeing that not everyone is all-good, and not everyone is all-evil.
I liked the theme of the importance of speaking up. Speaking up against an oppressive government, as well as against an equally oppressive father and husband. The main character shifts from a reticent girl to a more sociable, feeling, young woman. Most remarkable is the symbol of the purple hibiscus, signifying unique defiance against a lack of freedom. The main character finds independence and solace, while gaining a voice she never knew she had.
Among other things, the book addresses the immigrant experience, religion and morality (particularly Catholicism), and political unrest.
Favorite Quotes:
"...there are some things that happen for which we can formulate no whys, for which whys simply do not exist and, perhaps, are not necessary (303)."
"We did not scale the rod because we believed we could, we scaled it because we were terrified that we couldn't (226)."
"When a house is on fire, you run out before the roof collapses on your head (213)."
"Being defiant can be a good thing sometimes (144)."
This is the most relatable book I've read in a long while. I hope you find it worth your time.
I'd say one thing that made me like the book so much was its authenticity, and its honest depiction of a people. Whereas it may feel distant that the story evolves around a Nigerian family, the experiences described are not any short of universal. The book tackles the issue of domestic abuse, and the plight of the many who are constantly trying to rise out of it. Though narrated by a teenage girl, the book invites us to empathize with her despite whatever side we stand on, and it shows us that multi-faceted aspect of human character and morality. As much as we want to vilify Eugene, we see that there are many factors that shaped his actions: political unrest, religious affiliations, his serving as a paragon of Christianity to his society, his depression, and his (sincere but often misguided) view of love and obedience. We want to see an evil man, but we end up seeing that not everyone is all-good, and not everyone is all-evil.
I liked the theme of the importance of speaking up. Speaking up against an oppressive government, as well as against an equally oppressive father and husband. The main character shifts from a reticent girl to a more sociable, feeling, young woman. Most remarkable is the symbol of the purple hibiscus, signifying unique defiance against a lack of freedom. The main character finds independence and solace, while gaining a voice she never knew she had.
Among other things, the book addresses the immigrant experience, religion and morality (particularly Catholicism), and political unrest.
Favorite Quotes:
"...there are some things that happen for which we can formulate no whys, for which whys simply do not exist and, perhaps, are not necessary (303)."
"We did not scale the rod because we believed we could, we scaled it because we were terrified that we couldn't (226)."
"When a house is on fire, you run out before the roof collapses on your head (213)."
"Being defiant can be a good thing sometimes (144)."
This is the most relatable book I've read in a long while. I hope you find it worth your time.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
Just when I started to get into the book and care about characters, it was over. The whole thing feels like a YouTuber's video where they speak for a long time about a topic and then there is no conclusion, just "bye".
It's a nicely written book, but my overall impression is meh.
It's a nicely written book, but my overall impression is meh.
J'aime tellement cette autrice. Je sais jamais comment dire à quel point c'est intelligent, senti, dense. J'ai trouvé ce roman plus "cadré" que Americanah ou Half of a Yellow Sun, mais je ne dirais pas que ça diminuait l'intensité de ce que j'ai ressenti en le lisant.
Rarely do you come across a book that resonates with you from the very first word. This was one such book for me. The lives of Kambili, Jaja, Ifeoma, Amaka, Eugene, Father Amadi and others seem to make me think even when I was not reading the book. This is my first experience with African literature and I'm so enthralled by this book that I've promptly collected all the other books written by Chimamanda Adichie. This year I've made a conscious decision of reading more diverse authors and I'm so happy that I did! This book is rich in detail, powerful in its delivery with beautiful prose and a taut storyline. The towns of Nnusuka and Enugu are painted in such vivid details that I could clearly imagine those in front of my eyes even though I've never visited Africa. A brilliant coming of age story that I think everyone should read at least once during their lifetimes. I'm delighted to have found a new favorite author. :)
wow, where do i even start.
this is probably one of the top 3 books i have ever read.
As an Igbo Catholic, this book was eye-opening and really touched me. However, I didn’t really share these experiences. Papa uses his religious tendencies to defend his abusive character. Throwing items and destroying things in the home because your son didn’t take communion that Sunday. Who are you to control him like that. Then when he beat Kambili for eating before church, when she needed to eat to take the medicine her mother offered to heal her cramps?? He even used the belt on his wife and son for aiding her. He’s truly wicked.
Getting away from Enugu and going to Nsukka was truly what Kambili and Jaja needed. They needed to realize that how their father was treating them was not a normal thing. For Kambili, it was a tough transition but I loved how she eventually allowed herself to enjoy. It’s such a shame (to me) that she was constantly seeking her father’s approval and never really questioned her father’s actions. He didn’t allow his own father in his house because he didn’t follow the Catholic religious practices, so he deemed him a pagan. Kambili brought a painting that her cousin drew of their grandfather and the dad ripped it up then beat her so bad that she was hospitalized. That’s soooo extreme.
I cried twice reading this book. My feelings were all over while reading.
Honestly, I could go on but this a book you have to read for yourself.
this is probably one of the top 3 books i have ever read.
As an Igbo Catholic, this book was eye-opening and really touched me. However, I didn’t really share these experiences. Papa uses his religious tendencies to defend his abusive character. Throwing items and destroying things in the home because your son didn’t take communion that Sunday. Who are you to control him like that. Then when he beat Kambili for eating before church, when she needed to eat to take the medicine her mother offered to heal her cramps?? He even used the belt on his wife and son for aiding her. He’s truly wicked.
Getting away from Enugu and going to Nsukka was truly what Kambili and Jaja needed. They needed to realize that how their father was treating them was not a normal thing. For Kambili, it was a tough transition but I loved how she eventually allowed herself to enjoy. It’s such a shame (to me) that she was constantly seeking her father’s approval and never really questioned her father’s actions. He didn’t allow his own father in his house because he didn’t follow the Catholic religious practices, so he deemed him a pagan. Kambili brought a painting that her cousin drew of their grandfather and the dad ripped it up then beat her so bad that she was hospitalized. That’s soooo extreme.
I cried twice reading this book. My feelings were all over while reading.
Honestly, I could go on but this a book you have to read for yourself.
Book #5 completed for Book Riot Challenge 2017: " Read a book wherein all point-of-view characters are people of color."
Adichie is becoming a favorite author. Her stories are intense and emotional and impactful. This one was all of the above, about a wealthy Catholic Nigerian family with a hidden violence. The narrator, a teenage girl, and her brother visit their aunt and cousins and witness the contrast in lifestyles that forever changes them. It was frightening and at times, infuriating, but overall it was beautiful.
Adichie is becoming a favorite author. Her stories are intense and emotional and impactful. This one was all of the above, about a wealthy Catholic Nigerian family with a hidden violence. The narrator, a teenage girl, and her brother visit their aunt and cousins and witness the contrast in lifestyles that forever changes them. It was frightening and at times, infuriating, but overall it was beautiful.
3.5 stars.
Okej. Jag ska vara ärlig.
När jag först började läsa boken insåg jag hur svårt jag har för att läsa böcker på svenska. Det kändes torrt, tråkigt, orubbligt och bara allmänt grått. Under de första 50 sidorna undrade jag om jag någonsin skulle kunna läsa klart den här boken och jag ville så gärna läsa klart den för att den var en gåva från en kompis (S-O till Ayaat om du ser det här, du e bäst) men jag fortsatte bara i hopp om att boken skulle bli bättre. Och det blev den.
Precis när jag började sakna att läsa en bok som skulle göra det svårt att lägga ner den, plockade jag upp den här juvelen. Jag njöt av spänningen och känslan av att jag måste veta vad som händer härnäst konstant.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adicihies sätt att skriva är uppslukande till den graden att jag, på en djup emotionell nivå, kunde känna med den psykologiska misshandeln som Kambili och Jaja gick igenom och dessutom kunde jag även inbilla mig själv att jag kunde RELATERA till deras upplevelser personligen. Att man ens kan göra så där genom litteratur är såå coolt (≧ᴗ≦✿)
Och faktumet att jag kan känna så här utan att Chimamanda ens använder sig av ord såsom 'förtryck', 'misshandel' dvs. språk som sätter ord på vad som händer i boken rakt på sak... wow. Alltså wow. Riktigt grymt.
Det här är första gången jag läser en bok som tar plats i Nigeria och speciellt Afrika, sedan Henning Mankells 'Eldens Hemlighet'. Uppfriskande att läsa om en miljö som inte tar plats eller centrerar västerländskt perspektiv och kultur.
Okej. Jag ska vara ärlig.
När jag först började läsa boken insåg jag hur svårt jag har för att läsa böcker på svenska. Det kändes torrt, tråkigt, orubbligt och bara allmänt grått. Under de första 50 sidorna undrade jag om jag någonsin skulle kunna läsa klart den här boken och jag ville så gärna läsa klart den för att den var en gåva från en kompis (S-O till Ayaat om du ser det här, du e bäst) men jag fortsatte bara i hopp om att boken skulle bli bättre. Och det blev den.
Precis när jag började sakna att läsa en bok som skulle göra det svårt att lägga ner den, plockade jag upp den här juvelen. Jag njöt av spänningen och känslan av att jag måste veta vad som händer härnäst konstant.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adicihies sätt att skriva är uppslukande till den graden att jag, på en djup emotionell nivå, kunde känna med den psykologiska misshandeln som Kambili och Jaja gick igenom och dessutom kunde jag även inbilla mig själv att jag kunde RELATERA till deras upplevelser personligen. Att man ens kan göra så där genom litteratur är såå coolt (≧ᴗ≦✿)
Och faktumet att jag kan känna så här utan att Chimamanda ens använder sig av ord såsom 'förtryck', 'misshandel' dvs. språk som sätter ord på vad som händer i boken rakt på sak... wow. Alltså wow. Riktigt grymt.
Det här är första gången jag läser en bok som tar plats i Nigeria och speciellt Afrika, sedan Henning Mankells 'Eldens Hemlighet'. Uppfriskande att läsa om en miljö som inte tar plats eller centrerar västerländskt perspektiv och kultur.
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, Classism