Book Review: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

An enigmatic tale about two Nigerian teenagers, Obinze and Ifemelu, separated whilst at University when Ifemelu goes to college in America, where she experiences life as a Non-American black woman and the hardships of being a student from the third world. Meanwhile Obinze spends some time in the UK but is deported back to Nigeria, where he makes a life for himself. When the two meet years later, can they reconcile their differences?

By reading this book you immerse yourself in the lives of Ifemelu and Obinze, Adichie is an adept storyteller who sets the scene in your mind and puts you right where the characters are. I fell into this book right from the start and was absorbed until the last page. The book gives you much to think about and I loved the fact that no character was idealised or perfected for this book, these are real people who lead real lives.

Beautifully written and a thought-provoking read, that challenges the perception of readers, I enjoyed this book because of the great characterisations and because there was an element of reality that ran through the story and characters, not just a very idealistic concept of who they should be to fit a romantic mould. I found the book touching and funny in places and thoroughly enjoyed my first book from this author.