Scan barcode
vgomezmunoz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
ingread27's review against another edition
5.0
A must read. This novel is just so rich, beautiful, touching, informative, challenging and so, so worth it.
bowa_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
istaisa's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eren2003jaeger's review against another edition
4.0
The only reason why this book does not get 5 stars is because I didn’t like the main characters as people, which I think is a great testament to Ndozi’s writing that Obinze and Ifemelu felt like real people. The pacing and format of the story was an interesting experience, it was seamless the way the readers were shifted between past and present.
Ifem’s experiences of race, love and friendship in America and her experiences and memories of Nigeria were fascinating, as Ifem often had a very nuanced and often contradictory viewpoint on all things (it was cool that she was aware of how contradictory she was, made her feel more human).
All in all, it was a very human book. There is no grand message, no really good people, no hero or solution to Ifem’s chronic restlessness and self-destructiveness. Life was just life and Ifem was simply living it. It was a nice read.
Other thoughts: I don’t rate Obinze because he’s a cheating coward, I don’t care about his circumstances. He’s too soft for my liking and too self-important in his views. I actively dislike Blaine. He’s one of those overly humble but extremely arrogant dickheads who thinks their very unequivocal view on the world is undoubtably superior, despite ignoring nuance and conversation. Curt is alright, but I think he has a slight WOC/black woman fetish.
Ifem’s experiences of race, love and friendship in America and her experiences and memories of Nigeria were fascinating, as Ifem often had a very nuanced and often contradictory viewpoint on all things (it was cool that she was aware of how contradictory she was, made her feel more human).
All in all, it was a very human book. There is no grand message, no really good people, no hero or solution to Ifem’s chronic restlessness and self-destructiveness. Life was just life and Ifem was simply living it. It was a nice read.
Other thoughts: I don’t rate Obinze because he’s a cheating coward, I don’t care about his circumstances. He’s too soft for my liking and too self-important in his views. I actively dislike Blaine. He’s one of those overly humble but extremely arrogant dickheads who thinks their very unequivocal view on the world is undoubtably superior, despite ignoring nuance and conversation. Curt is alright, but I think he has a slight WOC/black woman fetish.
solveighogasen's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
rhiannon_ling_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
danireys's review against another edition
4.0
This took me awhile to get through. I stopped reading it and went on to other books but returned when I had more time to devout to it. It's long and it's a slow paced plot but it is endearing. Although I have nothing to relate to Ifem, I still find the emotional side relatable greatly. I may not have loved this book like Half of a Yellow Sun, but I still enjoyed it greatly-- especially the last half.