Reviews

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

jojotimber's review against another edition

4.0

Highly recommend reading along with the audiobook. It was really hard for me to start this novel and continue it. However, I am very happy I did. There are so many things you could analyze within this book. Great read!

drmichefishe's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

suzecluez's review against another edition

4.0

I like what I saw in another comment about how Americanah is "a beautiful mess". This book was recommended to me by a friend, and since I'm kind of crazy about spoilers, I just started the book without any real idea what it was about. I love Adichie's writing and was engaged throughout 85% of the book, but I couldn't tell what the story was- a love story? Coming of age? Commentary on race, immigration, classism, etc.? I think Adichie made it all the above, which I was fine with and generally enjoyed since I was trying to figure it out myself while reading it, but I understand where others may have lost patience.

I appreciate the statements and observations made about race (especially through the eyes of someone who grew up outside the US), I appreciated the storytelling and there were parts that moved me. I'd recommend this book to folks interested in reading and thinking about race, and those impressed by good writing.

toppoptart's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A funny, complex look at the MCs experience as someone from a different culture navigating and reflecting upon their years in America. Despite many of the differences in culture and the MC's personalized experience, it still felt familiar/relatable and true. The experiences of the MC and the comparisons made are a great reflection on American ideology and culture vs the individual's. A long read, but a great one, done in an entertaining and thoughtful way. 

manonbo93's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it! Both an important story to read as well as entertaining, eloquent, well-written and luminary.

elizabethstrachan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was pretty interesting and eye-opening about the treatment Nigerians/ Africans face when they move to the US or England. I loved how Ifemelu was unapologetically and authentically herself during her time in the US. The timelines were a bit confusing, but it wasn't too hard to figure out. I'm not sure yet how I feel about Ifemelu and Obinze.

Part of me feels like he's not good enough for her because he wouldn't leave his wife for her. On the other hand, he eventually did the right thing and left his unhappy marriage, telling his wife the truth. It just should have happened much sooner.

ellathelibrarian's review against another edition

4.0

Really enjoyed this book, it gives quite provoking insights into race that I had not considered before. Her observations on American life and culture were spot on and made me laugh.

usbcordnoose's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

modern classic

devonolding's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

matttlitke's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Americanah reads like a really thoughtful autobiography despite being fiction. The story must be based on real people or experiences, as it is so detailed and deep and intimate. 

I didn’t have a lot of fun reading it, but it was very enlightening and really well written.  I like to read because it gives me new perspectives and this was absolutely the case here - there are many things that never would’ve occurred to me that are integral to the experience of the main character. 

Americanah is also of a book of two halves: one is the cultural/race story about being black, Nigerian, and American, and the other is a complex love/relationships story that everyone can identify with. 

It examines how love and friendship can change and be hard to comprehend even when you’re living it. It’s about how you feel safe when you’re understood and feel understood when you are with people whom you have connection with and shared experience. You can know a lot of people but there is a special intimacy to feeling known.