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fernash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
readsandsuch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
anansi_tales's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
lindiwe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and War
saintsaens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Bullying and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Hate crime, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, and War
midnightmarauder's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Under the Udala Trees tells the story of Ijeoma, a girl who lived in Nigeria during the Biafran war. After
Amina and Ijeoma are in love with each other, during a time where homosexuality was very looked down upon in Nigeria (and still is today). One night,
Ijeoma knows in her heart that she is a lesbian, but it isn't allowed by the citizens of Nigeria, nor her mother. So, she is led into years of self-hatred and loathing, wanting so desperately to be allowed to be who she is, but instead being forced to pretend to be something she isn't.
I found myself sympathizing deeply with Ijeoma. As a black lesbian myself, I know what it's like to be at war with yourself, being both so sure of your own feelings, yet conflicted about them, all at the same time. Just wanting to fit in and be like everyone else, but also struggling with it because you're not like everyone else, and not comforming should be allowed.
Chinelo Okparanta, the author, leaves an author's note about the current stance on which Nigeria has on homosexuality. They have criminalized it, and are listed as the second most religious country in the world. It makes me wonder how many more people like Ijeoma live in that country, forced to hide their love from the world.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and War
Moderate: Hate crime, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
gigireadswithkiki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I wish this book had focused a little more on the Nigerian Civil War, a event in history that was very new to me, but I also understand that this book told the story of the war from the lens of a girl who was growing up in the midst of its events. My only big complaint is that her mother
Otherwise, I found Chinelo Okparanta's writing style easy to follow, and the story was captivating enough to propel me through the book. For those looking to read this book, I will warn that there are several unsavory topics discussed within and I would check out the content warnings prior to reading!
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Child abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, and War
sundayray's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and War
hanreadin's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, and War
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
i def appreciate okparanta's goal in writing this novel. the horrible plight - both historical and present day - of lgbtq+ folks in nigeria depicted is emotional and harrowing, and i like how the unlikable characters are surprisingly multidimensional. however, i somehow cant quite connect to the characters, esp ijeoma, who always feels a distance removed despite being the narrative voice, thereby affecting my enjoyment of the book overall.
it also feels like many things happen while also not, particularly the novel's last 2/3, after the marriage. focus also seems to be misplaced on certain inconsequential things while important points can feel glossed over.
all in all, though i appreciate the sentiment behind writing this book, ultimately i dont find it to be an enjoyable one.
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and War
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury