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florenceassetto's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Colonisation
howardbatey's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Islamophobia, Death of parent, and Murder
fionafsw's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
There's not much more I can say about this powerful novel except that Adichie manages to weave humour throughout to help the reader get through the horrors of war and to present something so alien to readers like me who have had the dumb luck of knowing nothing but peacetime through an individual, human lens rather than statistics or political or military manoeuvres. And for readers like me who had no idea about Nigeria, her fantastic writing brought to life every smell, taste, and sensory input.
But where the book really excels, I think, is in describing tension between individuals in the most subtle way that still makes it obvious. Tension (sexual and otherwise) that you could cut with a knife, as if you were there, in the room, as the protagonist. As Richard might say, it's really quite fantastic.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Grief and Classism
Minor: Pregnancy
arayo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Infertility, Racism, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Pregnancy
dianaale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Genocide, Infertility, Rape, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
danidanseuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, and War
andeulea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
War is undeniably devastating, people in first-world countries (like me) may struggle to comprehend the impact on every individual affected by such atrocities. Adichie skillfully avoids confining characters into these "victim" stereotypes, portraying each one as uniquely human, with inherent flaws and individuality, both within and beyond the context of war. It prompted my reflection on the consciousness of every individual, highlighting shared dreams and desires.
Adichie also weaves three distinct narratives, each representing a unique perspective of the war and family – Olanna, Ugwu, and Richard. These perspectives collectively contribute to a rich and comprehensive portrayal of the war and its impact on their lives, families, and community.
I'm grateful to be exposed to narratives that we don't hear about in our history classes. Would recommend this if you're interested in historical fiction and curious about the Nigerian Civil War.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Genocide, Infertility, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
amgarrido's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I continue to be equal parts devastated and enamoured.
I strongly recommend you watch Chimamanda’s interviews about ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ on YouTube if you’d like some additional context, or want to understand how her family’s reality enmeshed with creative licence and imagination to create this novel.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
sammelito's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death and Rape
Moderate: Racism, Terminal illness, and Murder