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A review by areadingstan
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
This book absolutely floored me. I didn’t know much about the Nigerian-Biafran war when I started this, but I feel like I’ve learned so much from the story of the characters Adichie has crafted.
While it is a fictional story, I think one of the most effective ways we can make history more humane and increase our empathy with those who have lived and suffered through it, is to explore personal stories rather than just the facts.
I felt really connected and attached to all of the characters, and the movement from early sixties to late sixties is really effective at showing the differences between before and during the war. Adichie doesn’t shy away from being political as well, by highlighting the complicity of the British in this war.
An incredible book that will be with me for a while.
While it is a fictional story, I think one of the most effective ways we can make history more humane and increase our empathy with those who have lived and suffered through it, is to explore personal stories rather than just the facts.
I felt really connected and attached to all of the characters, and the movement from early sixties to late sixties is really effective at showing the differences between before and during the war. Adichie doesn’t shy away from being political as well, by highlighting the complicity of the British in this war.
An incredible book that will be with me for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Racial slurs, Rape, and Sexual content