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Half of a Yellow Sun / Americanah / Purple Hibiscus
A collection of three extraordinary and exquisitely written novels from one of the most important and exciting young writers in the world.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has firmly established herself as one of the world’s most exciting and important young writers – a regular award-winner, ‘endowed with the gift of ancient storytellers’ (Chinua Achebe).
A gripping, vividly written masterpiece, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ won the Orange Prize for Fiction. The lives of Ugwu, a young boy from a poor village, Olanna, a middle class woman, and Richard, a white man and a writer intersect in intimate and unexpected ways during the vicious Nigerian civil war. This is a story about Africa, about moral responsibility, the end of colonialism, ethnic allegiances, class and race – and about how love can move in to complicate all these things.
Fearless, gripping, spanning three continents and numerous lives, ‘Americanah’ is a richly told story of love and expectation set in today’s globalized world. Ifemelu and Obinze fell in love as teenagers in Lagos. Thriteen years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria; Ifemelu has achieved success as a writer in America. When Ifemelu returns to Nigeria, and the pair reignite their shared passions – for their homeland and for each other – they face the toughest decisions of their lives.
‘Purple Hibiscus’ is a compelling tale of adolescence, set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s military coup. Fifteen-year-old Kambili’s life is regulated by the high walls of her family estate and the dictates of her repressive father. However when Nigeria begins to fall apart, Kambili and her brother are sent to live in their aunt’s laughter-filled house, where they discover life, love, and a terrible, bruising secret deep within her family.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has firmly established herself as one of the world’s most exciting and important young writers – a regular award-winner, ‘endowed with the gift of ancient storytellers’ (Chinua Achebe).
A gripping, vividly written masterpiece, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ won the Orange Prize for Fiction. The lives of Ugwu, a young boy from a poor village, Olanna, a middle class woman, and Richard, a white man and a writer intersect in intimate and unexpected ways during the vicious Nigerian civil war. This is a story about Africa, about moral responsibility, the end of colonialism, ethnic allegiances, class and race – and about how love can move in to complicate all these things.
Fearless, gripping, spanning three continents and numerous lives, ‘Americanah’ is a richly told story of love and expectation set in today’s globalized world. Ifemelu and Obinze fell in love as teenagers in Lagos. Thriteen years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria; Ifemelu has achieved success as a writer in America. When Ifemelu returns to Nigeria, and the pair reignite their shared passions – for their homeland and for each other – they face the toughest decisions of their lives.
‘Purple Hibiscus’ is a compelling tale of adolescence, set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s military coup. Fifteen-year-old Kambili’s life is regulated by the high walls of her family estate and the dictates of her repressive father. However when Nigeria begins to fall apart, Kambili and her brother are sent to live in their aunt’s laughter-filled house, where they discover life, love, and a terrible, bruising secret deep within her family.
1484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2014
168 people are currently reading
5402 people want to read
About the author
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
130 books48.7k followersCHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE grew up in Nigeria. Her work has been translated into more than fifty-five languages. She is the author of the novels Purple Hibiscus, which won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize; Half of a Yellow Sun, which was the recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction “Best of the Best” award; Americanah, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award; the story collection The Thing Around Your Neck and the essays We Should All Be Feminists and Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions. Her most recent work is an essay about losing her father, Notes on Grief, and Mama’s Sleeping Scarf, a children’s book written as Nwa Grace-James. A recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, she divides her time between the United States and Nigeria.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
May 30, 2014
I actually read "Americanah" first, and loved it. Then I added "Half of a Yellow Sun", which is about the founding (and eventually, the inevitable fall, of Biafra). I love her writing and since there is all this news these days about Nigeria, I wanted to learn more. "Americanah' is quite breath-taking. And one thing I learned from Americanah? The protagonist, who grew up in Nigeria and then move to the US, didn't consider herself to be 'Black' until she arrived in America. In Africa, you are not Black; you are African. And in Americanah, the protagonist explores being non-American born Black. She also is startled that there is no place in Princeton where she could get her hair braided. And that in the US, she is 'fat'; in Nigeria, she is handsome and big. She hosts a successful Blog in the US. But she decides to move home to Nigeria....
And the entire tone in the other book, "Half of a Yellow Sun", is about the rise and fall of Biafra, a new country intended to bring freedom and prosperity to the people of Nigeria who became Biafrans. Of course, we all know what happens to Biafra, but the story involves a small group of supporters, intellectuals, who live through the war and starvation.
I loved the writing and the people. I highly recommend these books.
And the entire tone in the other book, "Half of a Yellow Sun", is about the rise and fall of Biafra, a new country intended to bring freedom and prosperity to the people of Nigeria who became Biafrans. Of course, we all know what happens to Biafra, but the story involves a small group of supporters, intellectuals, who live through the war and starvation.
I loved the writing and the people. I highly recommend these books.
April 8, 2015
My first book by Adichie. I loved it- and could almost imagine the characters in my head as I read through to finish. I felt cheated that Kainene's story is left unfinished- yet I almost want to believe in the last words. I am keen to find Americanah
January 22, 2015
I loved Americanah, Purple Hibiscus, and Half of a Yellow Sun. Her writing is rich, enjoyable and important.
November 19, 2014
The world was silent when we died
Chimamanda is such a great African writer, being raised and brought up in Africa one can easily relate to most of the stories. I like the fact that she tried to connect the African countries by introducing characters like Jomo who is named after our first president of Kenya. This makes you fell part of the book and respect the people who fought for our freedom as Africans. I have never been glued to a book like I did with this one, funny and sad at the same time.
“How can we resist exploitation if we don’t have the tools to understand exploitation?” “
"...my point is that the only authentic identity for the African is the tribe...I am Nigerian because a white man created Nigeria and gave me that identity. I am black because the white man constructed black to be as different as possible from his white. But I was Igbo before the white man came.”
Chimamanda is such a great African writer, being raised and brought up in Africa one can easily relate to most of the stories. I like the fact that she tried to connect the African countries by introducing characters like Jomo who is named after our first president of Kenya. This makes you fell part of the book and respect the people who fought for our freedom as Africans. I have never been glued to a book like I did with this one, funny and sad at the same time.
“How can we resist exploitation if we don’t have the tools to understand exploitation?” “
"...my point is that the only authentic identity for the African is the tribe...I am Nigerian because a white man created Nigeria and gave me that identity. I am black because the white man constructed black to be as different as possible from his white. But I was Igbo before the white man came.”
October 21, 2020
Purple Hibiscus read from October 14-17 2020
Purple Hibiscus was the debut novel for the beloved and highly acclaimed Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This book has most of the elements found in her other works even though it is not as polished but it still shines. As typical in her works, the family in this book is Igbo with strong post-colonial hangovers. In this book we have Eugene a highly respected father, owner of a prominent and trustworthy newspaper and devout Catholic. But through the eyes of Kambili and Jaja we see a completely different picture. Life is not easy for this family and as the narrative spirals to involve Eugene's sister and father, the picture reeks of the effect of colonialism in eastern Nigeria. Naturally the university of Nsukka appears as well as the ongoing tension in Nigeria.
This book was a hard pill to digest mainly due to the abuse that occurs. The abuse is not gratuitous and its impact on the succeeding generation becomes obvious as the plot unfolds. It is a look at Nigeria, mainly middle-class, that struggled to find itself after gaining independence. A situation that faced many prior British colonies. The ending is realistic and at the end the characters stay with you.
By now, having read the other books, Ms Adichie is a must read author for me. Her characters always linger long after you close that last page. You find yourself wondering what has become of them, and if life was any kinder. Even though they often have very unlikable qualities, you still long for closure and healing for them.
So here is my ranking of her novels: my favourite book is Half a Yellow Sun, though it took 2 attempts to complete. I am struggling with placing Americanah and Purple Hibiscus but I think Purple Hibiscus gets the edge. Recommend reading them all, just not when you are feeling low.
Purple Hibiscus was the debut novel for the beloved and highly acclaimed Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This book has most of the elements found in her other works even though it is not as polished but it still shines. As typical in her works, the family in this book is Igbo with strong post-colonial hangovers. In this book we have Eugene a highly respected father, owner of a prominent and trustworthy newspaper and devout Catholic. But through the eyes of Kambili and Jaja we see a completely different picture. Life is not easy for this family and as the narrative spirals to involve Eugene's sister and father, the picture reeks of the effect of colonialism in eastern Nigeria. Naturally the university of Nsukka appears as well as the ongoing tension in Nigeria.
This book was a hard pill to digest mainly due to the abuse that occurs. The abuse is not gratuitous and its impact on the succeeding generation becomes obvious as the plot unfolds. It is a look at Nigeria, mainly middle-class, that struggled to find itself after gaining independence. A situation that faced many prior British colonies. The ending is realistic and at the end the characters stay with you.
By now, having read the other books, Ms Adichie is a must read author for me. Her characters always linger long after you close that last page. You find yourself wondering what has become of them, and if life was any kinder. Even though they often have very unlikable qualities, you still long for closure and healing for them.
So here is my ranking of her novels: my favourite book is Half a Yellow Sun, though it took 2 attempts to complete. I am struggling with placing Americanah and Purple Hibiscus but I think Purple Hibiscus gets the edge. Recommend reading them all, just not when you are feeling low.
Read
August 8, 2014I read each of these books...all good, but Half of a Yellow Sun is one of my favorite books.
April 21, 2021
Painting a Reality: the tragedies, the dehumanization of war - victims, survivors, friends, family, and love. Everyone loses some level of inner beauty and hope for mankind. But the sun will shine anew.
October 12, 2022
I didn't like this nearly as much as Americanah. Got lost in the length though it's an interesting portrayal of Nigerrian history. Not as engaging.
April 10, 2024
FWRC Gord.
I remember enjoying it, that's all
I remember enjoying it, that's all
July 19, 2015
This is the second novel I have read by this very talented author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I have loved them both. This book concerns a chapter in the history of Nigeria - the Biafran War for independence from Nigeria in 1967-1970. It concerns the lives and fates of twin sisters, raised in comfort and wealth, who become caught up in the war because of their tribal identity (Igbo) and their beliefs. As part of my goal of reading books about Africa in 2015, this book provided me an understanding of the place that tribe plays in the destiny of a country. As one of the characters in this book so clearly stated: "The only authentic identity for the African is the tribe. I'm Nigerian because the white man created Nigeria. I'm black because the white man considered it to be as different from him as possible. But I was Igbo before the white man came"
In all the books I have read about Africa this theme shows up over and over again....the harm that colonial powers did by carving up Africa among themselves without regard to tribal identities. The same thing happened in the Middle East in the early 1900's where Shia and Sunni groups were mixed together in Iraq, etc.
The story about the sisters was very touching as they sought reconciliation from past slights and personality differences. I had a difficullt time keeping track of the many characters in this long novel and had to keep a list of their names and identities as I went along. Some of them turned out to be minor players in the novel while I frequently had to consult my notes to find out who was who. But it was worth the effort to stay involved in this very compelling novel. I highly recommend it!
June 2, 2014
I think I liked this book slightly better than her newest novel, Americanah, which I also really enjoyed. However, I felt like I learned so much in this book. It is a topic that I had virtually no knowledge of prior to reading it. This book is about twin sisters Olanna and Kainene and the men in their lives. It alternates between early 1960's and late 1960's...before the war and during the war in Nigeria. Given what is currently going on in Nigeria, it felt like a timely book to be reading. Specifically, it is about the Nigeria-Biafra War of 1967-1970. It is a heartbreaking book, and sometimes what happens in the lives of Olanna and Kainene can be a bit too much like a dramatic soap opera, but overall I found this book to be very interesting and enjoyed learning a little more about the history and culture of Nigeria.
May 29, 2015
I find it hard to read about the viciousness of one group of people taking over and massacuring another. These true events are the backdrop for the lives of the characters. For me the destruction set such a pained environment that I could barely imagine how they could live their lives without going crazy. It's true the characters are somewhat removed from danger by their privilege (most of them), but it casts such a disturbing shadow on their culture and their lives. I had a hard time following the characters and since I do not know this country, I could not imagine where they were or what their lives are like.
Want to read
October 25, 2014Listen to this Ted Talk that features HER story, and tell me you wouldn't want to read one of stories she creates: http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/1863013....
In the TED Talk, Ngozi talks about "how impressionable and vulnerable we are, in the face of a story. Particularly as children."
Ngozi began writing as a child in Nigeria. The books she read at that age were all British books. So she wrote about white, blue-eyed children eating apples and playing in the snow.
Haven't read Half of a Yellow Sun yet. Just want to read something by her. Picked this one at random.
In the TED Talk, Ngozi talks about "how impressionable and vulnerable we are, in the face of a story. Particularly as children."
Ngozi began writing as a child in Nigeria. The books she read at that age were all British books. So she wrote about white, blue-eyed children eating apples and playing in the snow.
Haven't read Half of a Yellow Sun yet. Just want to read something by her. Picked this one at random.
June 23, 2016
The reason I love all these books is because they have impacted me so much that after reading, I gained a new perspective of life. Till this day, I refuse to read them because the overwhelming emotion of sadness and happiness grasps me at the first page due to me knowing the plot already. Adichie has definitely become one of my favourite authors. I'm looking forward to her future work.
November 24, 2014
I was captivated by this story. Absolutely humbled by the struggle of love in the face of war. All war is awful, but I sincerely believe that civil war is the most evil thing that can happen to a nation. Ugwu was my favorite character, for being the most genuine and loyal "good man".
Read
April 2, 2015The three books are great books of story. The half of a yellow moon recounting of the NIGERIAN civil war says much about how much damage was done and how something out to be done on the state of the Igbos in Nigeria
May 7, 2015
Another great book by Adiche. Good plot, interesting and human characters, taking place during an important period in Nigeria's history. I still liked Americanah better, but this earlier novel shows the promise of the author.
June 11, 2015
This book came highly recommended, but I didn't love it. Found it interesting - takes place in Africa during a civil war - following a family and their experience, but I never really connected with any of the characters. Good book - not great.
July 3, 2015
I grew up aware of the Nigeria-Biafra war but, until now, had little understanding of it. This is a well-informed, well-written book set it the war torn country during a conflict that had devastating consequences for the Biafran people. Would wholeheartedly recommend.
May 3, 2014
Too short for godssakes. Life just got very boring.
June 29, 2014
Wow. I am blown away by this novelized version of what happened in Biafra while the world stood by. This author is a phenomenal writer who tells a tragic occurance through a passionate love story.
September 8, 2014
Amazing insight into the Nigerian culture and society, the political situation retold beautifully and sensitively...a very inspiring book collection...
November 4, 2014
love this
November 14, 2014
Very good read. Captivating from the first page to the last page.
January 31, 2015
Awesome
Want to read
February 22, 2015Susan Parson
March 6, 2015
Life can change at any minute web cause of things that are beyond your control but Cary your spirit with you. Cultivate a strong spirit in good days and follow your heart
May 8, 2015
Read Half of A Yellow Sun-
May 26, 2015
Could not get past the first 40 pages. Wasn't interested in any of the characters and gave up. Life is too short to force yourself to read something you don't want to....
June 27, 2015
I loved this book. Adichie is such an amazing storyteller. Parts of the story are quite horrific, but the spirit of the Nigerian people filled me with hope.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews