Reviews

The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

patmcmanamon's review against another edition

5.0

I'm usually not a big fan of short stories, but this collection is excellent. Adichie's writing style is excellent, and her insight and information about Nigeria, its culture and treatment of women along with its view of the U.S., is instructive and interesting. Love her writing, love her books. Especially loved this book.

elanienneco's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

clearly i loved this i read it in two days!! all of the stories are so beautifully written, so compelling. favs were Jumping Monkey Hill, The American Embassy, The Headstrong Historian (reminded me a bit of Ambiguous Adventure) and Tomorrow is Too Far. and The Thing Around Your Neck. And Monday of Last Week. all of them. so good. 

pauline_b's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars

ufakbideneme's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

becca_boulton's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

pipnewman's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bridge_overbooked's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories - my favorite two were The American Embassy and Tomorrow is Too Far. Each story is completely separate from each one, yet they're all connected by describing Nigerian experiences. None of them wrap up in a satisfying or clean way, which I was originally confused by, but eventually grew to appreciate as I read on.

"The Thing Around Your Neck" is a collection of short stories, exploring themes of identity, immigration, and cultural displacement. Each story delves into the lives of Nigerian characters, both at home and abroad, grappling with the complexities of their experiences and relationships. Through rich narratives, Adichie offers poignant insights into the human condition and the interconnectedness of our globalized world.

lsparrow's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book of short stories. Such a great selection of characters and experiences.

hejaburman2022's review against another edition

4.0

Chimamanda is an amazing writer, and this collection of short stories is yet another proof of that. My favourites are On Monday of Last Week, Ghosts, and The Thing Around Your Neck.

"Ikenna, I have come to realize, is a man who carries with him the weight of what could have been"

deedee63's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0