Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a novel centred around a deep love that endures despite years of separation. Ifemelu and Obinze meet when they are teenagers and still at school in Lagos, Nigeria. They soon fall in love and seem destined to remain a couple, and after university, and following the path set by their peers, they plan to move out of the country to free themselves of its military regime. Ifemelu goes to America, but finds it hard to adapt to her new home where she experiences racism for the first time in her life. Obinze was to have followed her to the States, but in post 9/11 America, he cannot get a visa. He goes to the UK instead and finds it equally challenging to find his place in London, where he is living illegally, and finally gets deported back to Nigeria. Ifemelu struggles to make ends meet and during a particularly desperate time, takes on a job which she immediately regrets and enters a period of depression. She cuts off all contact with Obinze, who is devastated. Over the next 13 years, they form new relationships and develop differing careers. However, Ifemelu is increasingly drawn back to her homeland and finally gives up everything and returns to Lagos, with the hope that one day, she will be able to meet Obinze once again. This is a huge novel, full of emotion and heartache, and is sometimes hard to read. There are lighter moments too, of course. I really cared about the main characters, who were ably joined by a fascinating supporting cast. It's also a study of immigration - the challenges, threats and abuse suffered by people who are just trying to live their lives in a new country. It's also an eye-opener for anyone interested in cultures that may not be familiar to them. An enjoyable, expansive read that I would be more than happy to recommend to anyone.
POPSUGAR Challenge 2018 prompt 32: A book from a celebrity book club (Reese Witherspoon).
My STAR rating: FOUR.
Length: 400 print pages.
Price I paid: £2.98.
Formats available: print, unabridged audio download, MP3 CD, ebook.
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