Having heard so much about this writer, I was excited to read this, her first novel. What a disappointment. Kambili, the main character, let the world pass her by rather than moving herself, let herself be acted upon rather than acting on her own, and spent the novel thinking, "Gee, I wish *I'd* thought to say that." She begins as a passive character and ends as a passive character, having no metamorphosis or growth; her mind is in the same place it was at the beginning of the book and I can only think that all that happened to her was for naught.
I would have loved for this story to be about Kambili's brother, Jaja; he was interesting and obviously went through a major crisis of self-discovery and shifted his life's point-of-view. His decision at the end reflected that in every way.
I even would have loved for this story to be about the mother, who changed drastically, taking an action of which I didn't think she was capable.
The character of the father, although despicable in every way, was at least well-rounded and very real. His extreme piety, unfortunately, poisoned him at the core. Religion was not given a pretty face in this novel.
What I liked about the book most of all, I think, was the descriptions of the food and Nigerian culture. By the end of the book, I felt like I had a good handle on the typical Nigerian's day and their fear of the government. Beware: corruption abounds. The descriptions of the food preparation and *how* one eats the food are detailed and really bring the book to life. Right now I am craving yams. Not sweet potatoes. Yams.
I would have loved for this story to be about Kambili's brother, Jaja; he was interesting and obviously went through a major crisis of self-discovery and shifted his life's point-of-view. His decision at the end reflected that in every way.
I even would have loved for this story to be about the mother, who changed drastically, taking an action of which I didn't think she was capable.
The character of the father, although despicable in every way, was at least well-rounded and very real. His extreme piety, unfortunately, poisoned him at the core. Religion was not given a pretty face in this novel.
What I liked about the book most of all, I think, was the descriptions of the food and Nigerian culture. By the end of the book, I felt like I had a good handle on the typical Nigerian's day and their fear of the government. Beware: corruption abounds. The descriptions of the food preparation and *how* one eats the food are detailed and really bring the book to life. Right now I am craving yams. Not sweet potatoes. Yams.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
