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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
Wonderful writing and great topic. I learned a lot by reading this.
Excellent writing - loved the authentic and bold voice of the author; admired the way it took on race, feminism, colonialism and the west's condescending view of Africa. This is my first book about Nigeria by a Nigerian author - enjoyed reading about a competitive culture (similar to life in a big city in India) and about young people and their definition of and struggle for success
Beautifully written. She packs her story with social justice issues, which in some instances may mean the author doesn't address any single issue well. But Adichie weaves them into her story beautifully. My favorite book of 2016.
It was a good book, just switched perspectives/time more than my taste.
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
Nigerian, immigrant, new perspective
Don't be fooled. This is not a book about race. It is mostly a book about America as told from outsiders, but it is also about everything from depression to love to struggle to sex to human relations, the difference between classes (the elite and the poor, the educated and uneducated, various cultures, etc. etc.) I love Adichie and I love this book, except for one small but not inconsequential part...
Spoiler
The last chapter, barely more than a page, ruins almost the entire story for me, because Adichie just HAD to give this book a Hollywood ending. So disappointing. That said, this is probably the best book I read in 2013.
funny
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
I’m not surprised that I’m rating this so highly. Despite me making my reading experience horrendous (something I will be doing though is reading audiobooks with my books if possible), I felt so seen by this book. I’ve never had a main character so morally grey and be TRULY morally grey. I support Ifemelu’s rights and wrongs always. I feel empty finally finishing this and though it was a class reading, I’m so glad I read this.
Feeling elated and inspired after finishing Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s book. So, so good. So relevant in 2020.
I loved peering into the perspective of a Nigerian woman in America. I felt her world get slowly colored in as I read, and I enjoyed the characters throughout the book, whom I felt were highly realistic. In addition to the story and character, the novel provides interesting insights about race and class and how these influence our experience of the world in different cultures. Highly enjoyable, but not as good as Half of a Yellow Sun!
This novel provided such an interesting perspective, both on being Black in America and on being an African immigrant in America. The story primarily follows Ifemelu, her upbringing in Nigeria, her move to America for college, her career tin America afterwards, and her move back to Nigeria after 15 years. Americanah captures Ifemelu's experiences as a non-American Black person, in school, in work, in relationships, and in everyday interactions with White people, African Americans, and other immigrants.
I thought the observations about racial, ethnic, and cultural differences and discrimination in this book were so interesting. My favorite parts of the book were Ifemelu's blog posts about living in America as a non-American Black, as well as the social group scenes sprinkled throughout the book (dinner parties, happy hours, etc) where a large group discusses their different opinions and viewpoints on race. The overall plot, however, is very loose. This fictional novel very much reads like a memoir, which made the book seem to drag on for me. The book really isn't about Ifemelu and Obinze's romance, as the official synopsis suggests. I definitely recommend this story because I think it has some extremely important perspectives and points for reflection; however, it's important to set your expectations.
I thought the observations about racial, ethnic, and cultural differences and discrimination in this book were so interesting. My favorite parts of the book were Ifemelu's blog posts about living in America as a non-American Black, as well as the social group scenes sprinkled throughout the book (dinner parties, happy hours, etc) where a large group discusses their different opinions and viewpoints on race. The overall plot, however, is very loose. This fictional novel very much reads like a memoir, which made the book seem to drag on for me. The book really isn't about Ifemelu and Obinze's romance, as the official synopsis suggests. I definitely recommend this story because I think it has some extremely important perspectives and points for reflection; however, it's important to set your expectations.