Reviews

Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

jblake94's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• 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

3.5

winnimartha's review against another edition

4.0

This novel is hopeful, but reality is less so. After we read about Ijeoma's life as a gay woman in socially conservative Nigeria, Okparanta reminds us in an afterword that homosexuality is still illegal in Nigeria - and punishable by death in some northern states. It's not a bleak picture, since Ijeoma is able to find a kind of peace in her life and

Spoiler

even gains acceptance from her mother.

But conservative religious views and violence toward gay people are the backdrop of Ijeoma's life, and that's not something that's going to change soon.

maggienolin's review against another edition

sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

ambitiouslycierra's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book was well paced—I enjoyed the approach that the author took to tell Ijeoma’s story. It was emotional yet thought provoking yet relatable. Def a story worth being told.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and War

Minor: Death of parent

galaheadh's review against another edition

lost me when part 2 was a jump forward in time to a super dry and heavy-handed recounting of homophobic bible "lessons" by the mother. even in part 1 wasn't a huge fan of the writing and the super short chapters, a flick through later parts of the book didn't convince me to keep reading

woolsson's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• 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? No

3.5

A book filled with inner turmoil. I enjoyed the book, it was a tough read at times with the themes but well written. It was interesting to learn about the culture and history, a reminder to myself to diversify my reading.

mbali_tyolo's review against another edition

5.0

This Is A Must Read Book. It Must Be Read. It Should Be Read.

melbsreads's review

challenging reflective medium-paced

• 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

4.0

Content warnings: homophobia, death of a parent, war, rape, religious bigotry, violence

I am left in the peculiar position of feeling that I might have liked this book more than I did if I'd read it with my eyeballs and not my ears. This is not to say that I didn't like it - I did. It's a powerful story. It's an important story. But I feel like it didn't quite have the emotional impact that I anticipated it would have, and all I can think is that I listened to the audiobook and there were times when I got caught up in listening to the Nigerian accent the narrator assumed rather than the actual words she was saying?? 

That being said, I was still invested in the story. So...do with this information what you will. 

keelin's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

lottie1803's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75