A review by hannahmayreads
Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was slow going, but ultimately it’s a tender story that gradually unwinds and reveals itself to the reader. The tenderness in the telling is a stark contrast to the heaviness of the topic. Religion, and what it means to have faith and be governed by it, lays heavily over the book.

I actually saw a review lamenting the number of bible verses included in the book. The reader didn’t finish the book because of it, and that is their loss as it is a beautiful and hopeful story. And the bible verses are there for a reason - Nigeria is the second most religious country in the world (https://www.gallup-international.bg/e...). Religion is inescapable, so of course, it is a central tenet of the book.

The most important thing though comes on the last page (this isn’t a spoiler, in case you were wondering). It is a reminder that while this book may be set in the 70s and 80s, same-sex relationships (or even just supporting such relationships) are a criminal offence in Nigeria. You can be imprisoned because of who you love, and that is an atrocity.
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