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luciasimmons's review against another edition
informative
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? No
4.0
kellyruth1's review against another edition
emotional
informative
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
4.5
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
4.0
"when white people say dark they mean Greek or Italian but when black people say dark they mean Grace Jones"
Weak as a love story but powerful in its social commentary. I found a lot of similarities between people of Nigeria described here and that of India- people wanting to migrate to developed countries and real estate being the only investment that attracts the rich.
" There are many different ways to be poor in the world but increasingly there seems to be one single way to be rich.”
Then, there are migrant problems - the social and psychological stress they have to bear. The best parts though are Ifemelu's sometimes angry blogs about racism in U.S.A. It is not always about the dark racism that is pointed out in the book, sometimes it is nice white people trying hard not to be racist:
"Kimberly was smiling the kindly smile of people who thought “culture” the unfamiliar colorful reserve of colorful people, a word that always had to be qualified with “rich.” She would not think Norway had a “rich culture.”
Adichie is powerful and honest in her social observations and it is that which makes this otherwise weak love story ( it is so real that it is boring) worthwhile.
"Racism should never have happened and so you don’t get a cookie for reducing it."
"In America, racism exists but racists are all gone. Racists belong to the past. Racists are the thin-lipped mean white people in the movies about the civil rights era."
"American Blacks and American Whites use drugs at the same rate (look this up), but say the word “drugs” and see what image comes to everyone’s mind."
Weak as a love story but powerful in its social commentary. I found a lot of similarities between people of Nigeria described here and that of India- people wanting to migrate to developed countries and real estate being the only investment that attracts the rich.
" There are many different ways to be poor in the world but increasingly there seems to be one single way to be rich.”
Then, there are migrant problems - the social and psychological stress they have to bear. The best parts though are Ifemelu's sometimes angry blogs about racism in U.S.A. It is not always about the dark racism that is pointed out in the book, sometimes it is nice white people trying hard not to be racist:
"Kimberly was smiling the kindly smile of people who thought “culture” the unfamiliar colorful reserve of colorful people, a word that always had to be qualified with “rich.” She would not think Norway had a “rich culture.”
Adichie is powerful and honest in her social observations and it is that which makes this otherwise weak love story ( it is so real that it is boring) worthwhile.
"Racism should never have happened and so you don’t get a cookie for reducing it."
"In America, racism exists but racists are all gone. Racists belong to the past. Racists are the thin-lipped mean white people in the movies about the civil rights era."
"American Blacks and American Whites use drugs at the same rate (look this up), but say the word “drugs” and see what image comes to everyone’s mind."
alie374's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.5
labufadora44's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so beautiful. I wish it went on and on and on.
eweaver1028's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this was such an expansive and compelling read. Although it was long, I really enjoyed the arc of the storyline and seeing the development of the characters together and separately. I loved how much time was dedicated to their separate experiences in America and the UK and how that informed their reunion in Nigeria. The writing was fantastic as well. I definitely need to read more of Adichie’s work because it is always so thoughtfully done.
curiouslyjade's review against another edition
5.0
I started recommending this book to other people before I even finished it. Immediately immersive and keenly observant, I think Americanah's changed the way I think about race while being a joy to read, too.
crystalvyces's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.0
isabelle_s's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
kutreen's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is the kind of book that makes me wish I have a highlighter in my hand, but I read it too voraciously to get up and go get one. I felt so close to Ifemelu by the end that finishing the book felt like moving away from a friend. I wish I could meet up with and talk to her! Adichie is so talented in developing believable characters who each have something to teach us. She packs so many interesting and important observations about Nigerians, Americans, immigration, race, as well as just people's funny and irritating quirks. I learned a lot and never felt lectured (as a white American), I was transfixed by and totally invested in Ifemelu's findings and journey. As a bonus, as someone who is a child of immigrants, I really appreciated Ifemelu's reflections on her cousin's experience as one. Even though I cannot understand the experience of being black in a nearly all-white school/town, I really resonated with his (and other side characters' that come and go at other points in the book) experience of feeling disconnected from his ancestral homeland. I appreciate that Adichie included this perspective.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt