A review by leweylibrary
Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

Truly such a powerful and beautifully written book

Quotes
  • "I'm looking for my mother," A small voice now came crying, distinct from all the rest, a girl's, 4 or 5 years old. Something Mama used to say: If you were looking for something, chances are you will find it in the last place you think to look. I wondered if the girl would find her mother in the graveyard. (15)
  • And as for eggs, they were a thing like peace of mind, like calm, even like a smile. They were a thing we had begun to have only once in a while. (22)
  • Why was it that these questions never came up at church? Why was it that people never asked any questions at church? Instead, everyone nodded, and cried "Amen" after everything father Godfrey said, and clapped, no one asking him to explain anything... I wondered what father God free would say if I can fronted him with these questions. Would he even know the answers? How much did pastors pretend to know? (81)
  • Her grasp was tight, painfully even. Loosen up, I imagine saying to her, to her fingers. Loosen up. And I imagine the reply something like this: This is anger. It does as it pleases. (129)
  • If you set off on a witch hunt, you will find a witch. When you find her, she will be dressed like any other person. But to you, her skin will glow and stripes of white and black. You will see her broom, and you will hear her witch cry, and you will feel the effects of her spells on you. No matter how unlike a which she is, there she will be, a witch, before your eyes. (196)
  • "My point is that business is the reason for things like doctrines. Business is the reason for words like 'abomination.' bottom line is, take your abomination with a grain of salt. My sense of it is that some things are called abominations that really aren't." (232)
  • I suppose it's the way we are, humans that we are. Always finding it easier to make ourselves the victim in someone else's tragedy. Though it is true, too, that sometimes it is hard to know to whom the tragedy really belongs. (320)
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