A review by askoda
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

5.0

Adichie stunned me once again with this novel. She carefully dances between multiple layers of social commentary and wraps it up in a simple and hopeful romance.

Ifemelu exposes the intricacies of being an outsider in not only America but also her homeland of Lagos. During her journey, she is exposed to what it means to be Black in America and witnesses the contrast of race perceptions between her homeland and her time in New England.

Further into the layers of her commentary, Adichie adds another social analysis. Ifemelu begins to tumble between the roles that women are subjected to in America vs. in Lagos. With this, feminism is at the forefront as the women in her story shift between their given and often stereotypical roles- leaving Ifemelu often critical of their behaviors.

To add to her observations, Adichie closely examines the social networks between wealth and poverty. She creates a clear picture of the trenches that divide the two-as well as the battles both sides fight.

With uncanny wit and stark observations, Adichie exposes both countries for their faults and their triumphs. This is more than a book for hopeful romantics- it is a story that too many immigrants can relate to.