AMERICANAH

By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/4 (Goodreads: 4.32)

GENRE: Contemporary Fiction

PART OF A SERIES? No

WORTH READING? Yes

SUMMARY:

Ifemelu and Obinze are two young lovers who depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, confident Ifemelu goes to America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time. Steady Obinze finds America closed to him, due to 9/11, so embarks on an 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.

Opening line: 'Princeton, in the summer, smelled of nothing, and although Ifemelu liked the tranquil greenness of the many trees… the delicately over-priced shops and the quiet, abiding air of earned grace, it was this, the lack of a smell, that most appealed to her…'

Americanah is a very thought-provoking book, especially for a white person. I really appreciate all the education it included, although at times, it did feel a little like being lectured to. It also occasionally felt like a new (not particularly relevant, and possibly to never appear again in the story) character was introduced for the express purpose of offering an opinion or creating a momentary conflict. There are a LOT of thoughts/opinions on race in this book, so Americanah may not be everyone’s book of choice. Adichie really opines in one of two ways. Either through people having a race-centred conversation, or through the blog posts made by Ifemulu.

I think one of the main points this book is making is that racism is not over. Adichie is also saying to just listen to other people’s opinions. Ask questions. And if you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable asking, then admit that… but ask anyway.

Adichie makes the point that race doesn’t really exist for white people because it has never been a barrier. I thought this was a very helpful perspective. “The black guy on the street… doesn’t want to think about race, until he tries to hail a cab, and he doesn’t want to think about race when he’s driving his Mercedes under the speed limit, until a cop pulls him over.” She asks the reader to think about this: “If you swear, or dress shabbily, do you think that people might say this is because of the bad morals or the poverty or the illiteracy of your race? If you do well in a situation, do you expect to be called a credit to your race?”

Most chapters in Americanah are told from Ifemelu’s perspective, with the odd chapter here and there told from Obinze’s perspective. I appreciated hearing what Obinze was up to, whilst Ifemelu’s life progressed. However, don’t be mistaken and think this is simply a love story. Yes, it is a love story, about a love that endures over the years. But it is really so much more {Honestly, if it was simply a love story, I would not have read it}.

N.B: Since Americanah is narrated by someone for whom English is not the first language, there are some words pronounced incorrectly. Not enough to be annoying, but enough to be noticed.

Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is an insightful book that provokes thought and emotion. It really made me try to step into the shoes of minorities. Not only did I learn a lot – which I always value in a reading experience – but it was also an entertaining read. I found myself always wanting to pick it up and read it, whenever I could, which I consider a great yardstick. I enjoyed the storyline, the opinions, and the humour.

Click here if you would like to purchase Americanah

Click here if you are interested in this book, which I loved even more:

Half of a Yellow Sun