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lhbrandes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.5
jfaberrit's review against another edition
4.0
There are a great many books that describe the immigrant experience in America, but fewer that involve going back home again, in this case to Nigeria. Overall, this is a very solid novel, with an eye for details of life in the USA that many Americans are quite content to glide on by (I think having this pointed out to them lies at the heart of many of the critical reviews for the book, whether that be conscious or unconscious). The contrast of the US to Nigeria is not presented as a case of good and bad, and the outsider status that Ifemelu feels in the US (and that we can imagine the author does as well) is worth reflecting on. To the extent there is a weakness, the anthropological details are capable of chopping up the narrative flow in places, and the book sometimes jerks and stumbles from one anecdote to the next rather than flowing. If the contrast with the British sections was a bit stronger, or the ending a bit more substantial, I think I would be more forgiving in the gaps in the plot; as it is, it's a thoughtful book about begin an outsider and the challenges in living up to the cultural expectations of those around you.
steph_jane's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
remainingunknown's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? N/A
5.0
lemon_drop's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
4.5
ptchar3's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite parts of this book was the jumping between different time frames past and present of the story line. The author did that so masterfully that I surprised myself that I never felt lost in the plot.
I think the commentary on race was fascinating and important. There is so much to learn about race and race relations from fiction books; Americanah reminded me of that.
I think the commentary on race was fascinating and important. There is so much to learn about race and race relations from fiction books; Americanah reminded me of that.
dcunitz's review against another edition
4.0
Ginika laughed. "Because this is America. You're supposed to pretend that you don't notice certain things."