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stitching_ghost's review against another edition
4.0
I think the best way I can describe my reading experience with this book was charming, from the anecdotes regarding his name to the stories about his father's war time friend there is an air of eagerness and charm about Mr. Ndibe's writing. The structure of the book just seemed to randomly change at one point where I'd almost say it went from memoir to essays didn't bother me too much but if you're looking for a story with a clear arc this might not be it for you.
elissacsweet's review against another edition
5.0
NEVER LOOK AN AMERICAN IN THE EYE is a delightful, absorbing memoir about cultural identity, one man's relentless pursuit of knowledge, and the struggle to honor your roots while also choosing a new life. Okey Ndibe's writing is insightful and poignant while also managing to be funny and self-deprecating, and his memoir—more a collection of essays and anecdotes—provides snippets of growing up in Nigeria, adjusting to the chilly culture of New England, finding love and friendship, developing his voice as a writer, and embracing becoming an American while still recognizing our country's cultural absurdities. An enjoyable, enlightening read.
stitching_ghost's review against another edition
4.0
I think the best way I can describe my reading experience with this book was charming, from the anecdotes regarding his name to the stories about his father's war time friend there is an air of eagerness and charm about Mr. Ndibe's writing. The structure of the book just seemed to randomly change at one point where I'd almost say it went from memoir to essays didn't bother me too much but if you're looking for a story with a clear arc this might not be it for you.
usikholor's review against another edition
4.0
Considering that memoirs are not my thing, this was an absolutely great book. I have not read any of his novels but this was a good book.
His literary life and romantic life is all weaved into this great memoir.
His literary life and romantic life is all weaved into this great memoir.
wenchharper's review against another edition
3.0
Charming, but perhaps it was overhyped to me in advance. I was told it was HILARIOUS. I smiled but never laughed out loud.
favourite_igbo_boy's review against another edition
3.0
This read was an interesting one (I love hearing stories alot), I enjoyed it but then we don't get what we want the exact way we want it. Okey has a story to tell but his way of storytelling didn't quite settle with me in this case.
At some point the writer drift away from the flows, giving raise to an unsteady structure.
The English language didn't work for me cos, it made the story not easy for me.
I'd say, this read has now inspired my look into some acclaimed pioneer Nigerian authors literary works.
The lesson learnt is keep doing what you love doing and can do best no matter what field or area of specialty you find yourself in life.
At some point the writer drift away from the flows, giving raise to an unsteady structure.
The English language didn't work for me cos, it made the story not easy for me.
I'd say, this read has now inspired my look into some acclaimed pioneer Nigerian authors literary works.
The lesson learnt is keep doing what you love doing and can do best no matter what field or area of specialty you find yourself in life.
michaelnlibrarian's review
4.0
I saw this on the new non-fiction shelves at the public library. On the back cover it notes that Ndibe is the author of "Foreign Gods, Inc." which I had read about and have on a somewhat overly long list of things to read, so with this in hand I decided to give it a try (out of order, sort of - oh well).
This is a pleasant first person memoir of a Nigerian coming to America, eventually becoming a citizen. Becoming a U.S. citizen was not his intent when he arrived - he came to Boston to manage a new magazine, African Commentary. (The magazine turns out to be a hopeless endeavor, not because of the writing or topic but because it was underfinanced.) The book gives a good picture of Ndibe's life in Nigeria before coming to the U.S., then anecdotes, some humorous, about different encounters he had after arrival in America.
As an articulate writer, Ndibe provides food for thought on the conflict immigrants must feel between the country and culture they have left (at least nominally) and their feelings for the United States. Some of that discussion or musings in the book are among the most interesting parts.
I am not sure how to characterize English as a language for Ndibe - I'm not sure it is accurate to characterize it as a second language since he grew up reading and speaking English to some extent in Nigeria (if I'm understanding the book correctly). Still, for an easy going narrative memoir like this, sometimes I was alternatively intrigued or amused by Ndibe's word use - sometimes it was with Britishisms, like "cheeky," but also just surprising constructions and word choices - "the doleful sign was writ even more large for me" for example, or "the letter brimmed with resentment and outrage."
As I hoped, I learned more about Nigeria in reading this, or was reminded of things I had known at one point but were not so clearly remembered now.
The book is slightly more than 200 pages and I was drawn in sufficiently to read it from beginning to end without putting it aside because of some distraction (that is, another book).
This is a pleasant first person memoir of a Nigerian coming to America, eventually becoming a citizen. Becoming a U.S. citizen was not his intent when he arrived - he came to Boston to manage a new magazine, African Commentary. (The magazine turns out to be a hopeless endeavor, not because of the writing or topic but because it was underfinanced.) The book gives a good picture of Ndibe's life in Nigeria before coming to the U.S., then anecdotes, some humorous, about different encounters he had after arrival in America.
As an articulate writer, Ndibe provides food for thought on the conflict immigrants must feel between the country and culture they have left (at least nominally) and their feelings for the United States. Some of that discussion or musings in the book are among the most interesting parts.
I am not sure how to characterize English as a language for Ndibe - I'm not sure it is accurate to characterize it as a second language since he grew up reading and speaking English to some extent in Nigeria (if I'm understanding the book correctly). Still, for an easy going narrative memoir like this, sometimes I was alternatively intrigued or amused by Ndibe's word use - sometimes it was with Britishisms, like "cheeky," but also just surprising constructions and word choices - "the doleful sign was writ even more large for me" for example, or "the letter brimmed with resentment and outrage."
As I hoped, I learned more about Nigeria in reading this, or was reminded of things I had known at one point but were not so clearly remembered now.
The book is slightly more than 200 pages and I was drawn in sufficiently to read it from beginning to end without putting it aside because of some distraction (that is, another book).
noemi's review
4.0
Having read two novels by Okey Ndibe, I thought I'd check out his memoir. I would recommend it even if you've never read his novels. Interesting, insightful yet funny. It's one of those memoirs that makes you want to actually meet the author in person.
The audiobook was narrated by Peter Jay Fernandez. At first, I found his detached, almost amused-sounding tone to clash with the text, but within a few chapters, the text started matching the narrator's tone. I wonder if he should have sounded a bit less detached at the beginning, before the book became more humorous.
The audiobook was narrated by Peter Jay Fernandez. At first, I found his detached, almost amused-sounding tone to clash with the text, but within a few chapters, the text started matching the narrator's tone. I wonder if he should have sounded a bit less detached at the beginning, before the book became more humorous.