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tetedump's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, and Deportation
hanfaulder's review against another edition
- 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
It would be too simplistic, I think, to say that Americancanah is just a love story. Yes, it is ultimately a story about love - but it is not singularly about romantic love. It is also about the love of your home, the love of community. The book is long, and there is an almost malaise feeling halfway through, as you see the years of the protagonists lives melt past, and there is a revolving door of minor characters, names and faces which pass by too quickly for you to remember. However, I was certainly never bored, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Adichie's prose. The length of the story is a part of its art: this is a story about a person's life, and so we endure it alongside them, as they blink and find themselves so far away from where they had started, we too share this feeling. I think it's important to understand this aspect of the book, as it makes all the more clearer Adichie's overarching analysis of the African-black experience of race in the modern West, specifically America, and what this says about the state of racism in the world. I highly recommend this book, as it was a rewarding read.
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt
xio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
m4rtt4'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? It's complicated
5.0
Yes, it's thick, serious and emotional, BUT every single page is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY (and I'm craving to read so much more).
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
fifofi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Sexual assault
c_wilkinson'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
4.25
Minor: Racism and Suicide attempt
waybeyondblue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Deportation
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Classism
alicelalicon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Deportation
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and War
mildlypretentiousreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Relaxing your hair is like being in prison. You’re caged in.”
Americanah chronologies the lives of Nigerian immigrants, Ifemelu and Obinze, an engaged couple. Ifemelu legally enters the United States of America, while Obinze swiftly becomes an undocumented immigrant in London, England. The couple is soon separated by unforeseen circumstances and must rely on themselves to adjust to their new lives. Wrapped in the romance of the two main characters, the readers are thrown into the lives of numerous African immigrants as they navigate America and the UK.
An impressive number of issues are touched upon in Americanah. We watch the African immigrants grapple with the foreign concept of race and adjust and adapt their thinking towards other black ethnic groups in America and the UK. We watch how the pressures placed on immigrant teens can wreak havoc on their personal lives, resulting in suicide attempts. We witness the devaluation and degradation of black men and the over-sexualization of black women. We read about the victims of colorism and the constant and insistent hold texurism has on white society. All of these discussions are handled with nuance and grace.
I was not too drawn in by the plot of romance between Ifemelu and Obinze. I found it uninteresting and rather predictable. I also found that almost all the characters sucked, one way or another. Many lacked intersectionality and could not look past their own opinions. Others were habitual cheaters who lacked empathy. I was more into the political aspect of the Americanah than anything.
If I recall correctly, there were also mentions of Asian people that appeared to uphold the “model minority myth.” This rubbed me the wrong.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism
ruthmoog's review against another edition
4.75
It's full of observations and discussions on race and honesty, and, living amongst a variety of cultures and places, which add depth to the storytelling and complexity to the characters' life journeys.
A great book!
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Deportation
Minor: Slavery and Police brutality
Sexual coersion