Americanah in Around the World

Dec 25, 2013 Jenny (Reading Envy) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: location-africa, location-nigeria, around-the-world, international-book-club, read2014, reading-envy-podcast

"...The word Americanah, such a Nigerian word, [is] used to describe someone who had lived abroad for so long, they no longer understand the nuances of being Nigerian." - from GoodReads reviewer Somi

I had to read this book in two days to be prepared for book club, and I may need to come back to this review after that discussion. I was not originally planning to read this book. Not another book set in Nigeria, I thought. And then reading the description, I thought not another book about immigrati

"...The word Americanah, such a Nigerian word, [is] used to describe someone who had lived abroad for so long, they no longer understand the nuances of being Nigerian." - from GoodReads reviewer Somi

I had to read this book in two days to be prepared for book club, and I may need to come back to this review after that discussion. I was not originally planning to read this book. Not another book set in Nigeria, I thought. And then reading the description, I thought not another book about immigration! I was pleased to find that while Nigeria and immigration are present in this novel, that isn't what it is about. Instead it is about the nuanced issues surrounding race, particularly for black people in our very global world. Through the characters of Ifemelu and Obinze, Adichie explores the experience of young Nigerians relocating and then moving back home again. So many books stop with people moving to America and the difficulties their children have in not really belonging anywhere, but not many people focus on returnees.

Ifemelu also experiences the startling differences between being Non American Black (NAB, her abbreviation) and American Black, aka African American. The character starts an anonymous blog, the entries of which are included in the novel at an increasing rate towards the end.

I feel, like many reviewers, that Ifemelu was an unpleasant person. She was very critical, of her home and parents, of the friends she left behind, of the American academics and the poor Africans trying to make a living in America. She never settles in and becomes an actual part of anything, but holds herself aloof, even in her romantic relationships when she is with anyone who didn't live through her childhood with her.

Some people see the author in Ifemelu. I'm not sure this bothers me. Why should someone talking about race be pleasant and likeable? To make it go down easier? Would that make me feel more comfortable? I'm reading this book from the perspective of white privilege after all, a fact the author reminds me of repeatedly. It is probably better to just listen and see that this is probably a very thinly veiled fictionalized account of her own frustrations over ignorance from most groups. Perhaps we can view the novel as her attempt to help educate us, a way of reaching out.

To hear more about Adichie's perspective on her own novel, please watch this video discussion on postcolonial literature between Adichie and Zadie Smith. Really great, and she doesn't hold back.

Discussed on Episode 4 and Episode 6 of the Reading Envy podcast! Once as a book selection and once during the Bailey's Women's Prize discussion. ...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Marieke rated it really liked it

Shelves: africa, kindle, west-africa, e-book, fiction, great-african-reads-book-club, nigeria, 2015

There are so many reviews of this book I am sure I have nothing new to say. I read in this book nearly every morning and night and enjoyed every moment. All the characters were very alive for me. This is one of those books where you suspect everyone keeps on living and doing their things even though the book ended. I will miss them, especial Ifem, Obinze, and Dike. I hope Buchi becomes a happy girl. Why not five stars, then? It just didn't blow me away like a five star book should, that is all. ...more

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May 08, 2016 Astrid Lim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: africa, culture, america, contemporary, race

I like all the references about culture (especially race) in America, since I've been working with Americans for quite some time and I feel the stories are relevant. I can connect well with many references in this book. But I don't really like Ifemelu the main character- her self righteousness and judgmental tendency made me dislike her even more. I also don't like the ending- the romance part sucks in my opinion, and not necessary. Too bad though. I love the idea of this book and the importance ...more

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Jan 08, 2015 Rosana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio-books, 2015

To say that Americanah shines as a commentary on race and class is an easy statement, but what really impressed me was the scope of Adichie’s attempt in this book, and that she does keep it together to the end. Adichie manages to bring to life so many characters with diverse backgrounds. Most characters do have race in common, however their histories and backgrounds are distinct, and this is what – I think – she set herself to demonstrate.

Other reviewers complain that as a love story this boo ...more

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Jan 08, 2014 Lydia rated it really liked it

This book thoughtfully and elegantly explores the ambivalence of leaving home, and of returning to it. Our protagonist is a young woman of great promise who leaves Nigeria for opportunity, American style. Her first love does the same; he goes to London. Americanah tackles Big Issues like race, class, racism, classism, first love, natural hair, fitting in, blogs, self-satisfied intellectual chatter, and academia. The chatter and the blogs bored me; hence four stars instead of 5.

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Nov 16, 2018 Kati Stevens added it

Idk what I think yet.

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Dec 30, 2012 Friederike Knabe rated it really liked it

Review to follow. On one level I liked it, but on another I am not so sure. At times I felt I was reading a parody, a pastiche of an "American novel", the kind of novel Ifemelu's boyfriend Obinze dreamt about... The last section feels like it is rushed. More reflection needed for sure. ...more

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