Americanah by Chimamande Ngozi Adichie

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story is about identity and belonging. It's about the journey to find your authentic self; to live a life of meaning and truth. The setting of the book is 1980's Nigeria, and the main character, Ifemelu, is part of the country's growing middle class.  Adichie narrates this story from the third person omniscient point of view, which allows the reader access to the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

I think the strongest part of this book are the chapters about Ifemelu's 13 year stay in America as a student and worker. While becoming acclimated to American culture, Ifemelu remarks upon many "Americanisms" that she finds odd, quirky, or disturbing. She ends up writing about her observations in a succesful blog targeted at non-American blacks (Africans & Caribbeans). Her blog posts are insightful. Because of her long stay in the U.S., her friends designate her an "Americanah" when she returns to Nigeria.

This book is part immigrant story, part self-realization story, part love story. As in Purple Hibiscus, Adichie's use of language, as well as the story itself, make this an enjoyable read. The book is full of colorful characters and places. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.





View all my reviews