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drschroe 's review for:
Half of a Yellow Sun
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is, without a doubt, among the best writers of our generation.
Her command of language, whether writing nonfiction or, as in this case, a breathtaking novel that is part fiction/part history lesson, blows me away with every additional work of hers I read.
Half of a Yellow Sun is set during the years leading up to and during the Biafra-Nigeria Civil War. Among the harsh realities of what the war did to individuals, families and the land, she weaves stories of relationships: twin sisters Olanna and Kainene's relationship with each other; their individual relationships with their parents and their respective partners; house servant Ugwu's relationships with Odenigbo, for whom he works, and others, and so on. Ms. Adichie writes characters so beautifully and honestly, I found myself thinking about them when I was not reading the book.
The main and recurring characters are not the only ones who stand out. Ms. Adichie offers a supporting cast of individuals who appear for a short time, even a moment. She brings them to life with equal care and enough detail that, just as when we have a memorable exchange in real life with a stranger we know we'll never see again, we smile and know we will remember them.
At the same time, with these characters and stories, there is a lot not to smile about. It is a book about war, and so there is violence and death; anxiety and fear; grief and heartbreak. I felt a lump in my throat several times as I read, which is, again, a testament as to how Ms. Adichie is so brilliant in making us care about all of her characters.
This is the fourth book of Ms. Adichie's I've read, and this is by far my favorite (although I've loved them all). I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Her command of language, whether writing nonfiction or, as in this case, a breathtaking novel that is part fiction/part history lesson, blows me away with every additional work of hers I read.
Half of a Yellow Sun is set during the years leading up to and during the Biafra-Nigeria Civil War. Among the harsh realities of what the war did to individuals, families and the land, she weaves stories of relationships: twin sisters Olanna and Kainene's relationship with each other; their individual relationships with their parents and their respective partners; house servant Ugwu's relationships with Odenigbo, for whom he works, and others, and so on. Ms. Adichie writes characters so beautifully and honestly, I found myself thinking about them when I was not reading the book.
The main and recurring characters are not the only ones who stand out. Ms. Adichie offers a supporting cast of individuals who appear for a short time, even a moment. She brings them to life with equal care and enough detail that, just as when we have a memorable exchange in real life with a stranger we know we'll never see again, we smile and know we will remember them.
At the same time, with these characters and stories, there is a lot not to smile about. It is a book about war, and so there is violence and death; anxiety and fear; grief and heartbreak. I felt a lump in my throat several times as I read, which is, again, a testament as to how Ms. Adichie is so brilliant in making us care about all of her characters.
This is the fourth book of Ms. Adichie's I've read, and this is by far my favorite (although I've loved them all). I cannot recommend this book highly enough.