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lindiwe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
During the height of the Biafran conflict in 1968, this tale follows Ijeoma. When her father is killed during the war, her life changes as her mother grieves and is separated from her. She is sent to stay with the grammar school teacher, that's when meets Amina, a girl who lost her family during the war, and they establish a relationship that Ijeoma's mother attempts to destroy by cramming the bible down her throat. The author takes us through Nigeria's biafran conflict and how it impacts Ijeoma's childhood, coming to grips with her sexuality, as she marries and goes through motherhood, and marriage problems. A fantastic novel with a remarkable writing style that touches on civil war, bereavement, mother-daughter relationships, religion, lesbianism, and other topics. There was no need for the epilogue, and the blackness and food description were off putting and the way young women's bodies were describe was also problematic for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Grief, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, War, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Violence, Body shaming, Death, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Hate crime, and Death of parent
willemke's review
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming
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