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gabbycackett's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
danireys's review against another edition
5.0
So well done. I hunger for more and will definitely have to read more of Ms Adichie's works. She wound together such powerful topics while weaving in the interpersonal connections and worlds of the main family. I felt like I was there, which was both good and bad for times. I really can't fault anything in this novel. I'm very impressed.
kvik's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
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
5.0
raconteurs's review against another edition
2.0
Sometimes I just don't get why so many people like certain books. Even though I am happy that the book has raised public awareness for the Biafra war and also the role of western countries in that war - this is just not a very good book in my opinion. The characters are super flat and very unlikeable. The way too many sex scenes are just trashy. There is no real development. The writing is full of phrases the have been written many times. And I really don't get what the author wants to tell me with this book. Maybe that all humankind sucks and there are seriously no decent people in the world. Or maybe she wanted to just show that war is always ugly and that even the good ones turn bad. But unfortunately all the characters already sucked before the war.
claragesine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-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? N/A
4.0
dhassrick's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
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
4.75
bibliotecabecca's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
jesscattley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
esthersedition's review against another edition
5.0
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a masterpiece. I'm finding it hard to find the words to describe how amazing this book is. The well-thought out characters, the climaxes and pitfalls, the breadth of history covered, the book is one of the greatest examples of historical fiction I can think of.
Centred around the political, social, and economic struggles in 1960's Nigeria, Half of a Yellow Sun paints a vivid and unfortunate reality that was the Biafra War, which led to millions of deaths, starvation, rape, political corruption, and other injustices. In contrast to if one were to just read an article about the war and details of the secession; the characters Ugwu, Olana, Odenigbo, Kainene, Madu, Mohammed, Richard etc. give a deeper understanding as to how the war affected all types of people from all types social classes and sheds light on some of the complex feelings and sentiments brought about by the prelude, duration, and aftermath of the Biafra war.
To add, Chimamnda's rich writing style is woven within every scene throughout the book. From the vivid detailings of surroundings and people, to the descriptive elements of sounds and touch, it draws you into the reality that each character was facing at that time.
All in all, it's definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year, teaching me in such ironically beautiful detail about the painful history of 1960's Nigeria through characters who each had their own story to tell about the tragic rise and fall of Biafra and their hope in their Half of a Yellow Sun flag.
Centred around the political, social, and economic struggles in 1960's Nigeria, Half of a Yellow Sun paints a vivid and unfortunate reality that was the Biafra War, which led to millions of deaths, starvation, rape, political corruption, and other injustices. In contrast to if one were to just read an article about the war and details of the secession; the characters Ugwu, Olana, Odenigbo, Kainene, Madu, Mohammed, Richard etc. give a deeper understanding as to how the war affected all types of people from all types social classes and sheds light on some of the complex feelings and sentiments brought about by the prelude, duration, and aftermath of the Biafra war.
To add, Chimamnda's rich writing style is woven within every scene throughout the book. From the vivid detailings of surroundings and people, to the descriptive elements of sounds and touch, it draws you into the reality that each character was facing at that time.
All in all, it's definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year, teaching me in such ironically beautiful detail about the painful history of 1960's Nigeria through characters who each had their own story to tell about the tragic rise and fall of Biafra and their hope in their Half of a Yellow Sun flag.
aeboutet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25