Reviews

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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michelicious's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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? It's complicated

4.0

kami5's review

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5.0

4.5. This is one of those books where the opening lines suggest that the book will be one of those dark, haunting character portraits at a historical time where modern sensibilities hold but the edge of chaos just slightly back. The development of the plot, people within it and the historical footnotes combine to make for a fantastic read. One slight quibble -- the timeskip in the middle of the book is slightly jarring but feels more in place after reading the latter half.

If one is a fan of well-written historical fiction where created characters mingle with real ones in a way that doesn't detract from the past, I would definitely recommend giving this a read.

angelarl's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
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

jg34's review against another edition

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Was not invested in the story or characters after starting over a couple times and listening through about 50%. And it is a long book.

misspalah's review against another edition

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5.0

Back then in 2015, i have taught few Nigerian students in my class. I was often got stuck in the middle of their arguments about the document that amalagamated Nigeria has expired in the 2014, the intention of Igbo people to ensure Biafra seccede from Nigeria has never been completely erased and the civil war that occurred from the year 1967 to 1970. My summary might be simple, but the civil war that occurred during that particular time is not. This maybe not a history book, but once you finished it you understand what has happened, why it happened and it did give you a perspective to understand the war itself.I've read her non fiction book before this and i am glad i decided to pick up this as my first fiction novel from Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie. To say that she is a talented writer is an understatement. I felt that i was there in the story, being a silent spectator and non participative witness ; of an extramarital affair, of countless number of killing and bombing, of the westerner's entitlement and privilege, and the complexity of her characters in the book. There's the love-hate relationship of the twins, Olanna and Kainene, that for me was the highlight of the book. The curiosity of the servant boy called Ugwu and i can almost heard whenever he did his own monologue. The perspective of Richard whom felt he was always The outsider despite his ability to speak igbo. The only character that i dont feel attached is the Blunt and radical professor, Odenigbo. He reminded me of some educated men in my country that love to talk big game but delivered nothing. Overall, what a journey ive embarked while reading this. I would definitely bought and read her other books after this.