Reviews

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

fkshg8465's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad 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

4.75

Having been through several relocations myself as immigrant, expat, repatriated, work visaed, and soon to be overseas retired in multiple countries, so much of this book touches me and speaks to me on multiple levels, including race as a western (American) construct. Some of it is obviously only what I can imagine or empathize with since I’m not Black, but it was illuminating to me in many ways because of that reason too. Brilliant!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Police brutality, Cultural appropriation, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racism, Gaslighting, Abortion, and Suicide attempt

libvin96's review against another edition

4.0

This was a beautifully written novel that daringly and comprehensively addressed race, immigration, and the transformation of identity. My only dislike was how drawn out it felt.

katieinca's review against another edition

4.0

Since this book already has a million awards and rave reviews, I'll pick one favorite thing: I really liked the way the device of protagonist-as-blogger allowed Adichie to cover a wide range of perspectives and experiences without forcing having to introduce them all as characters. Lots of great insights about race, which I expected, as well as less-expected things about long-term moves and how that affects the way you think about your different "homes."

omgitsofg's review against another edition

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? Yes

5.0

elean0rtaylor's review against another edition

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? It's complicated

3.5

I enjoyed this. It had a lot of depth and texture to it whilst still being a story about normal people and their lives and relationships with each other. Obviously huge huge themes of race, immigration, racism and xenophobia, and the concept of navigating both a new country that you've moved to, but then adjusting back to your old culture when you move back home.

Very thought provoking and interesting, and there were moments that were shocking and made me laugh out loud. 
Very beautiful writing, quite descriptive and also one of those books where not a huge amount happens but also a lot happens because it focuses in on people's lives over a long period of time.
Having said that, I do think it's a little long in that near the end I forgot what happened elsewhere in the book, and at points it felt like it dragged a little.

esraq's review against another edition

3.75

it’s well written and a grappling read once you get into it. I’m not a fan of the looking back on lives/ flashback narrative but it was executed so well and it was really interesting to read about the various stages of Ifemelu‘s life. Honestly I could draw so many parallels to her, and this book gave me a different perspective on race, the US and Nigeria. 

harrisontown's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

ap3ghp's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative medium-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

3.75

clawzzz's review against another edition

1.0

I remember liking this book but I just can’t in good conscience rate a terf any higher

kamohelom___'s review

1.0

DNFed it (Did Not Finish) - a very difficult thing for me as I need to finish the books that I read, but this was a dreadful experience.

Quite an overrated piece of work. I found Americanah to be awfully boring in its writing style, which is matter of fact written.

I did not enjoy anything and was not moved by anything.

Perhaps I am not the target market for this one.