Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Under the Udala Trees

Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

21 reviews

anansi_tales's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Parts of this book are spectacular, amazing use of dreams both culturally and for plot. You genuinely root for the main character, and continuously feel for her. That being said there are parts of this book I wish the author focused more on and I do think the pacing of book in places drags. All things considered if a sequel or spin off for a side character was made, I would read it in a heart beat.

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rionstorm's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Really well written, but very heavy. The story is told in an almost dissociative, hazy, slow way. Gorgeous descriptions of flora that were all unfamiliar to me, so I got to learn about lots of new plants/fruits/etc. There's only very shallow exploration into any character other than the narrator, which is perhaps by design but left me feeling a bit disconnected from the story. Not exactly my cup of tea but a well written book.

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onceandfuturereads's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad 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? No

3.5

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missionreport's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

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dfrancis's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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lindiwe's review

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

During the height of the Biafran conflict in 1968, this tale follows Ijeoma. When her father is killed during the war, her life changes as her mother grieves and is separated from her. She is sent to stay with the grammar school teacher, that's when meets Amina, a girl who lost her family during the war, and they establish a relationship that Ijeoma's mother attempts to destroy by cramming the bible down her throat. The author takes us through Nigeria's biafran conflict and how it impacts Ijeoma's childhood, coming to grips with her sexuality, as she marries and goes through motherhood, and marriage problems. A fantastic novel with a remarkable writing style that touches on civil war, bereavement, mother-daughter relationships, religion, lesbianism, and other topics. There was no need for the epilogue, and the blackness and food description were off putting and the way young women's bodies were describe was also problematic for me.

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midnightmarauder's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad tense 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

4.5

I really enjoyed reading this book; so much, that I could barely put it down once I began reading it.

Under the Udala Trees tells the story of Ijeoma, a girl who lived in Nigeria during the Biafran war. After

losing her father in an attack

, she and her mother split up, as her mother is distraught about how to live raising a child by herself. This is what ends up with Ijeoma moving away, where she meets Amina.

Amina and Ijeoma are in love with each other, during a time where homosexuality was very looked down upon in Nigeria (and still is today). One night,

as they make love to each other, they are found out by the family they're staying with

, and get split up.

Ijeoma knows in her heart that she is a lesbian, but it isn't allowed by the citizens of Nigeria, nor her mother. So, she is led into years of self-hatred and loathing, wanting so desperately to be allowed to be who she is, but instead being forced to pretend to be something she isn't.

I found myself sympathizing deeply with Ijeoma. As a black lesbian myself, I know what it's like to be at war with yourself, being both so sure of your own feelings, yet conflicted about them, all at the same time. Just wanting to fit in and be like everyone else, but also struggling with it because you're not like everyone else, and not comforming should be allowed.

Chinelo Okparanta, the author, leaves an author's note about the current stance on which Nigeria has on homosexuality. They have criminalized it, and are listed as the second most religious country in the world. It makes me wonder how many more people like Ijeoma live in that country, forced to hide their love from the world.

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