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bookishpip's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Violence, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
amyvl93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was another book club pick which I'm glad to have had come my way. Under the Udala Trees is the story of Ijeoma, who is growing up in Nigeria during and in the wake of the Civil War. After the loss of her father, she is sent by her mother to live with another couple for a period of time, where her path crosses with another young woman Amina, where she begins to realise that her feelings for Amina may be more than friendship.
This novel follows Ijeoma from her childhood and her loss of her father to her adulthood, where she attempts to balance her sexuality with what is expected of her by a society that sees homosexuality as an abomination. Okparanta has a really beautiful writing style, which make at times become overly lyrical, but does keep you hooked when you're reading the novel. The sense of place within the novel is also very powerful, from Ijeoma's childhood home to boarding school to her mother's shop that she sets up.
The experience of the LGBTQ population in Nigeria is something that I knew very little about, and this is a very good, if upsetting, light shone on their experience. I did feel that at times Okparanta's messaging was a little too on the nose, and we spend a lot of time looking at Bible passages. I'm also not sure if the non-linear timeline in the beginning of the novel quite worked, given we know from the blurb what the 'reveal' is.
On the whole, I'm glad that I got to read this novel.
This novel follows Ijeoma from her childhood and her loss of her father to her adulthood, where she attempts to balance her sexuality with what is expected of her by a society that sees homosexuality as an abomination. Okparanta has a really beautiful writing style, which make at times become overly lyrical, but does keep you hooked when you're reading the novel. The sense of place within the novel is also very powerful, from Ijeoma's childhood home to boarding school to her mother's shop that she sets up.
The experience of the LGBTQ population in Nigeria is something that I knew very little about, and this is a very good, if upsetting, light shone on their experience. I did feel that at times Okparanta's messaging was a little too on the nose, and we spend a lot of time looking at Bible passages. I'm also not sure if the non-linear timeline in the beginning of the novel quite worked, given we know from the blurb what the 'reveal' is.
On the whole, I'm glad that I got to read this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Homophobia
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Grief, and Domestic abuse
bekatron3000's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Rape
Moderate: Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
onceandfuturereads's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Miscarriage, and War
Moderate: Misogyny and Abandonment
saintsaens's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
The story and its developments were interesting, tackling a rare subject (lesbianism in Nigeria, a very religious country). Following the span of the main character's life, it was both deeply beautiful at times and very very boring (unfortunately). I felt invested in the book only after a good third of the novel when the main character gets to the boarding school. Before that, the writing was bland, unsophisticated. It did not exactly pick up after, but as the story handled themes and approaches I found interesting, I felt drawn to know what happened. The end was bittersweet, but I can say it was a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Hate crime, War, Violence, Murder, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Rape, and Miscarriage
emmagiverny's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Moderate: Grief and Miscarriage
Minor: Sexism and Rape
loxeletters's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Lesbophobia, War, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Rape, Racism, Grief, Murder, and Hate crime
gigireadswithkiki's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I really enjoyed that this was a book that highlighted the interplay between religious bigotry and the LGBTQ community in a non-Western society. Ijeoma was a fantastic and relatable character, constantly torn between staying true to herself and the influences of her religious-propaganda-filled upbringing.
I wish this book had focused a little more on the Nigerian Civil War, a event in history that was very new to me, but I also understand that this book told the story of the war from the lens of a girl who was growing up in the midst of its events. My only big complaint is that her mother never faced any consequences for being a religious bigot and all-round awful person. Plus that Ijeoma never really reflects on her internalized homophobia as a result of her religious upbringing
Otherwise, I found Chinelo Okparanta's writing style easy to follow, and the story was captivating enough to propel me through the book. For those looking to read this book, I will warn that there are several unsavory topics discussed within and I would check out the content warnings prior to reading!
I wish this book had focused a little more on the Nigerian Civil War, a event in history that was very new to me, but I also understand that this book told the story of the war from the lens of a girl who was growing up in the midst of its events. My only big complaint is that her mother
Otherwise, I found Chinelo Okparanta's writing style easy to follow, and the story was captivating enough to propel me through the book. For those looking to read this book, I will warn that there are several unsavory topics discussed within and I would check out the content warnings prior to reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Minor: Violence, War, and Death of parent
lesbihane's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
an incredibly touching and sad realistic depiction of gay existence in a violently homophobic country but with a tiny, glittering glimpse of hope
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Hate crime, Sexual assault, and War
besnee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, War, Death of parent, Rape, and Sexual assault