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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
une des meilleures lectures de l'année, je ne sais pas expliquer comment, mais l'autrice a le don de donner du sens à toutes ses comparaisons, et sans être précieuse
This book is wonderful for so many reasons and in so many small ways. The love story sandwiches in a book about race, emigration, leaving home, & returning. It's brilliant, & I loved it.
Some elements were 2 stars, others were 4. I like hearing about the US from an outside perspective, as well as learning more about some Nigerian culture. It’s important to recognize experiences different from your own as valid. I appreciate the moments where the author looks at the social structure of African nations and cultures (like when Ifemelu is getting her hair braided) as a reminder that it is not one homogeneous African culture. It felt like an honest, or at least varied look at everyone involved.
I could empathize with the feeling of going “home” and being more aware of many of its flaws, but have it still be home.
But Ifemelu got on my nerves. I felt like she used each of her boyfriends for as long has he was useful. She liked Curt because he had money at a time when she was broke. Once she got on her feet (with his help) he became boring to her.
Blaine gave her black friends when she was starting to see her self as more black American than African (accent aside.) When she decided she didn’t want to be so American any more, she ditched him too.
Obinze she didn’t respect as having a life separate from her own. You ghosted him, girl. He moved on, got a life and a family and then you want him to ditch it because you’re back in town? No.
I could empathize with the feeling of going “home” and being more aware of many of its flaws, but have it still be home.
But Ifemelu got on my nerves. I felt like she used each of her boyfriends for as long has he was useful. She liked Curt because he had money at a time when she was broke. Once she got on her feet (with his help) he became boring to her.
Blaine gave her black friends when she was starting to see her self as more black American than African (accent aside.) When she decided she didn’t want to be so American any more, she ditched him too.
Obinze she didn’t respect as having a life separate from her own. You ghosted him, girl. He moved on, got a life and a family and then you want him to ditch it because you’re back in town? No.
Really enjoyed this and learned about Nigeria and the non-American black experiences… it could have been tighter in spots but very interesting overall. Rooting for Ifemalu & Obinze!
- Mia Reads The NYT100 No. 3 -
Excellent, although for me not as good as Half A Yellow Sun. I wrote an essay on the power of names & accents in this book. I'm definitely due a reread.
Will it stand the test of time? I hope so
Does it deserve a position at place #27? I think top 50 is fair. HAYS deserves to be on that list for sure though.
Excellent, although for me not as good as Half A Yellow Sun. I wrote an essay on the power of names & accents in this book. I'm definitely due a reread.
Will it stand the test of time? I hope so
Does it deserve a position at place #27? I think top 50 is fair. HAYS deserves to be on that list for sure though.
4.5 stars due to a slow start, but then I couldn’t put it down. This is kind of story I felt in my soul, due to its many layers and purposeful prose.
A beautiful novel. The writing, the journey (both physical and emotional) was just a joy, even if at times it was also heartbreaking. This is the kind of book that will stay with me for awhile. I wasn't crazy about the ending, but the book as a whole more than made up for that.
Adichie examines race in America from the view of an outsider--but a black outsider. This gives a third perspective to race (neither that of white American nor black American) in a brilliant and human way. And if that ambitious theme wasn't enough, Adichie adds the arc of a woman's developing strength and a story of immigration and emigration, of what it means to return "home" when you aren't the same person and can't have the same viewpoint as before. She tackles questions of identity on so many levels yet does it intelligently and comprehensively, creating a beautiful and thoughtful exploration of a book.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes