Americanah
Back of Book
Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads for America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time.
Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria, and reignite their passion--for each other and for their homeland.
We Love It Because
Adichie captures something universal in her depiction of a couple metamorphosing across the world from each other, and in her observance of their changing lives, paid homage to the act of love itself and what it means to be a person, in places where the privilege of personhood and self-realization are handed out unfairly. Americanah forces its readers to contemplate the labor of love as it sustains its characters through space, trauma and time.
Memorable Passage
The only reason you say that race was not an issue is because you wish it was not. We all wish it was not. But it’s a lie. I came from a country where race was not an issue; I did not think of myself as black and I only became black when I came to America. When you are black in America and you fall in love with a white person, race doesn’t matter when you’re alone together because it’s just you and your love. But the minute you step outside, race matters. But we don’t talk about it. We don’t even tell our white partners the small things that piss us off and the things we wish they understood better, because we’re worried they will say we’re overreacting, or we’re being too sensitive. And we don’t want them to say, Look how far we’ve come, just forty years ago it would have been illegal for us to even be a couple blah blah blah, because you know what we’re thinking when they say that? We’re thinking why the fuck should it ever have been illegal anyway? But we don’t say any of this stuff. We let it pile up inside our heads and when we come to nice liberal dinners like this, we say that race doesn’t matter because that’s what we’re supposed to say, to keep our nice liberal friends comfortable. It’s true. I speak from experience.
About the Author
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, born on September 15, 1977, in Enugu, Nigeria, is a highly esteemed writer and feminist icon whose impactful storytelling has garnered global acclaim. Known for her insightful exploration of themes like identity, feminism, and the post-colonial African experience, Adichie has become a literary force with a profound impact on contemporary literature. Her novels, including Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Americanah, have earned numerous awards and have been translated into numerous languages, resonating with readers worldwide. Adichie's compelling narratives not only offer a rich portrayal of African culture and history but also challenge prevailing stereotypes and advocate for gender equality. Beyond her literary accomplishments, Adichie is a renowned speaker whose TED Talk "We Should All Be Feminists" has become a rallying cry for the global feminist movement. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is worth knowing for her ability to blend storytelling with activism, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and inspiring positive social change.
Recommended By
