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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
The first 2/3 of the book rates 3 stars, but the final 1/3 was 4 stars. I really enjoyed the story, set in Nigeria and Biafra. I liked getting to know the characters and I liked the Igbo words sprinkled throughout. Unfortunately, nothing happened until the war started. Even though how I knew how the war would end, it was interesting to learn about the fictional characters, knowing they were based on real events.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was difficult and disturbing … yet also so very important to read. I knew nothing about the Biafran War in Nigeria. Not a thing. I am embarrassed to admit this, as a supposedly well-educated person. And somehow while reading this book, I felt that I was reading about the experience of so many people around the world this very moment and throughout all of history.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has put us directly into these characters’ lives with such skill. I will not forget this book.
The audiobook is beautifully read … and I appreciated hearing the cadence and details of the dialogue.
Perhaps listening, rather than reading, made it difficult to follow the multiple storylines … I did struggle with that at times. This book was very heavy and very graphic, so proceed with caution.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has put us directly into these characters’ lives with such skill. I will not forget this book.
The audiobook is beautifully read … and I appreciated hearing the cadence and details of the dialogue.
Perhaps listening, rather than reading, made it difficult to follow the multiple storylines … I did struggle with that at times. This book was very heavy and very graphic, so proceed with caution.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
This is truly fantastic.
Previous to reading this I didn't know much about the Nigerian civil war, in fact, I only new that it had happened. My ignorance didn't make reading this difficult at all, I think you get a really good grasp of what was going on and why.
I recommend reading this book 100%. Cannot wait to read more of this author.
Previous to reading this I didn't know much about the Nigerian civil war, in fact, I only new that it had happened. My ignorance didn't make reading this difficult at all, I think you get a really good grasp of what was going on and why.
I recommend reading this book 100%. Cannot wait to read more of this author.
I can understand why people like this book, but tbqh I didn't enjoy it. I just found the characters extremely unlikeable and flat, except Kainene who actually is mega cool and gets shit done. The main POV characters I just found annoying. Olanna is basically perfect and everyone loves her and finds her attractive, but I found her insanely selfish and self-centred. Ugwu is like 15 and just thinks about his sister's titties. Richard is white i guess idk. I didn't really care for the soap-opera drama either. I don't think the writing is anything exceptional; the dialogue and prose were stilted at times. However, I do acknowledge that this novel is an important representation of the Nigerian-Biafran war and the lives of people who would have lived through it. But you could also read the Wikipedia page for free I guess.
dark
hopeful
sad
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
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 read this book as a part of Stonehill’s alumni book club. I haven’t been in a book club in years so it’s nice to have recommended titles and discuss the book with others online.
I tried to read Adichie’s Americanah but never finished it, so I’m glad I gave this author another chance through this first book club read. It’s definitely a different style of writing then I am used to, and not as plot driven. I learned so much about the Biafran War which I knew absolutely nothing about prior.
Overall it was a well-written book. Not sure if I would have read it without the guidance of my club, so it’s nice to be exposed to different genres and authors.
I tried to read Adichie’s Americanah but never finished it, so I’m glad I gave this author another chance through this first book club read. It’s definitely a different style of writing then I am used to, and not as plot driven. I learned so much about the Biafran War which I knew absolutely nothing about prior.
Overall it was a well-written book. Not sure if I would have read it without the guidance of my club, so it’s nice to be exposed to different genres and authors.