Publisher: Algonquin Books
Released: 2003
Pages: 307
Source: Personal Read
Rating: 4/5
Fifteen-year-old Kambili and her older brother seem to live
in a world of luxury in Nigeria. Their
father, a self-made man found Catholicism and devoted his life to the religion.
He’s a wealthy man, but in actuality, he is a religious fanatic who shelters
and controls his families every move. Kambili and Jaja have their daily lives
scheduled for them, and they must never deviate from his plan. When political
unrest sends Nigeria into a military coup, the family is threatened and their
father sends them to live with his sister who lives a very different life.
Kambili and Jaja live in a very abusive household, both
physically and mentally. I really felt for Kambili, she begins the novel truly
worshiping her father. She sees him as a respected man, a man who has all the
answers and just wants to make him proud. When she ranks second in her class, her
father beats her because his children must be the best. In her mind she accepts the pain and feels it
is her fault. Her brother is a little more independent but has nowhere to do. It’s either obey, or suffer the circumstances.
Their own mother is a victim, she’s helpless and treats her children’s wounds
the best she can.
Adichie writes a beautiful coming of age story, filled with
abuse, breaking free and forgiveness. Kambili’s father is a monster, but he’s
like that for a reason. He truly believes what he is doing is right. His perception
of his religion blinds him. He loves his family, but can’t separate himself
from what he thinks a good Christian should be. He’s a dictator in his
household but he gives generously to the community and his church, everyone showers
him with compliments. Kambili loves her father, and her love never falters for
her father clearly depicting a grey area, not every relationship is black or
white.
This is an amazing
debut novel, and I’m so glad that I read it. I’m really trying to read back-list
titles, and not just the new releases. I kept hearing about Americanah and
decided to start with this one instead. Americanah is on my tbr list, but so is
all her other titles. Purple Hibiscus is a valuable novel about Nigerian
culture, religion, and character growth. I highly recommend this one.
This sounds wonderful to me!
ReplyDeleteI never really knew what this was about but it sounds great! Americanah is the only book by her that I read but I really liked it.
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