theraptor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
3.75
isabelmacomber's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
boobygoober's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought the writing was super interesting; articulating a lot of the subtext through the narrator's thoughts and having that be what you know of the world around them. Hearing there assessment of the world around them and of people around them, trusting their judgement and then learning some of their biases and maybe not trusting so much. Its such a curious subjective view of their world.
oryx27's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ehoney's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
readingfrida's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
esnapp1's review against another edition
4.0
There sure was a lot going on here, but I really enjoyed it! I loved the perspective of this book and I loved the added in pieces of Ifemelo’s blog about her experience as a “non-American Black.”
This book is coming up on it’s 8th birthday, but it’s still so relevant. A lot of people still need to read this.
This book is coming up on it’s 8th birthday, but it’s still so relevant. A lot of people still need to read this.
imogroos's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
cnorbury's review against another edition
4.0
I can see why this is a bestseller--the writing is incredibly insightful about the personal relationships that Ifemelu has, especially with the men in her life. I also enjoyed her observations on race in America via her blog posts. As an outsider who happens to be black but comes from a country (and most of a continent) where race is not a hot-button issue (YES, I know South Africa has significant problems.), she has a unique perspective on race relations between whites, blacks, and other people of color in America. I gained some insight, especially concerning the rift between most American blacks and African blacks.
Unfortunately, Ifemelu was not a wholly likable character because she seemed intent on torpedoing one relationship after another because of small irritations that grew to become reasons to bail. Almost reminded me of the "Seinfeld" episodes where the characters found some minuscule nitpick that turned into a deal breaker--such as "eating peas one at a time."
Because of the character's self-centeredness and eventually what I came to see as mildly self-destructive behavior born out of some misguided belief that she was not entitled to be completely happy with her life, I couldn't give the book five stars. Also, Ifemelu didn't seem to have a concrete goal or objective in the book, and the goals she had kept changing--go to America, start a blog, end a blog, go back to Nigeria, work for a magazine, quit and start a blog, go from one great guy to another. We get a hint that maybe at the end things will work out between her and Obinze, but based on what the reader knows about Ifemelu, we suspect she may eventually sabotage that relationship too.
For middle-class whites, this is an excellent book for getting out of your comfort zone and walking a mile (or at least 588 pages) in the shoes of someone not of your color, ethnicity, or country heritage.
Unfortunately, Ifemelu was not a wholly likable character because she seemed intent on torpedoing one relationship after another because of small irritations that grew to become reasons to bail. Almost reminded me of the "Seinfeld" episodes where the characters found some minuscule nitpick that turned into a deal breaker--such as "eating peas one at a time."
Because of the character's self-centeredness and eventually what I came to see as mildly self-destructive behavior born out of some misguided belief that she was not entitled to be completely happy with her life, I couldn't give the book five stars. Also, Ifemelu didn't seem to have a concrete goal or objective in the book, and the goals she had kept changing--go to America, start a blog, end a blog, go back to Nigeria, work for a magazine, quit and start a blog, go from one great guy to another. We get a hint that maybe at the end things will work out between her and Obinze, but based on what the reader knows about Ifemelu, we suspect she may eventually sabotage that relationship too.
For middle-class whites, this is an excellent book for getting out of your comfort zone and walking a mile (or at least 588 pages) in the shoes of someone not of your color, ethnicity, or country heritage.