“I think this book is one of an interesting explosion of African literature, which I am just beginning to understand and explore. There are harsh, almost biblical themes here, about evil, idealism, family, collapse, moral and financial corruption. It isn't the sort of book you can sum up it easily. There isn't, I think, an obvious moral or conclusion. The main characters make various choices, some rebellious, some conformist, but they end up loosing everything. ”
“Hello, just wanted to ask a question. How is Purple hibiscus compared to Half of a yellow sun?”
“I read it last year was lovely.. I enjoyed soo much!!”
“I've read Purple hibiscus (which I liked a lot) before I have read this book (which I LOVE)!The story is incredible, it makes you feel the pain (although it is indescribable) that the people of Nigeria have suffered (only they know how they had survived it)... I was crying with them, I was out of words... Nobody's benefit and advantage is worth human life(s). Human life is precious and irretrievable. Every life is a wealth of the planet (and of our lifes) and is irreplaceable. Chimamanda is excellent, her talent is apparent. ”
“Women are the the unwilling but inescapable scapegoats of a war. If there is someone who loses everything its a woman caught in the middle of warring factions. Amazingly the author illustrates the what is already so brazenly true.But along with that, its a nice introduction to the educated class of Nigeria in sixties. ”
“Your loss can only be measured by how much was in your dreams....Although fictional, it remains the greatest narration of Biafra war history that I have read so far. It provides me with a more empathetic position towards the group affected as well as all modern wars of today with the underlining reason being self-seeking economic gains.”
“Truly moving... Breaks the romantic picture of Africa... That is the image painted of a starving country that need to be helped by the others... no doubt there is poverty but the africanness of the book is palpable”
“Picked this book just like that from the bookstore, the book cover and description appealed me. Good that I got it. Liked it so much that I have gifted it to one of budding author friend (hope he will like it too). Going to buy a second copy to gift it to someone once again :) fantastic narration. ”
“What a brilliant bookk!I hadnt read purple hibiscus but would surely doNo wonder Chimamda is the pride of Nigeria!I love her style of writing.It has been long since i read a book with such wonderful style and characters.Odenigbo, very interesting guy, Kainene- very spirited and different,Richard- a kind guy but not confident, Ugwu- the protagonist, i think, interesting guy..And the other minor charaters too.A wondeful blend.Olanna was a bit 'goody two shoes 'for me.But i love her relationship with Odenigbo, the understanding.Richard's story swith Kainene tarted with details, but along the line, she abandonded that and didn't continue on it.The book is detailed in a lively way.She also has a way of giving information about what normal people do. It was natural,something you would do.e.g when Olanna baby asking after Kainene as a sign that she was still alive.We all do that.She was able to bring that out well.As if she saw you do it.And the story didnt just move from one scene to the other .Very brilliant flashbacks and the way she introduces a charater into the story, not your normal narration.As a Nigerian, it really was insightful.We hear about the first two coups and the war but we dont really know the horrors of it.The starvation and hunger of the war.And living in Northern Nigeria, we didnt hear much of the horrors because the North was not as affected.It was a brave topic to venture into, as Achebe said.That said, i think we didnt get a balanced acount of the Civil war.I think the research wasnt properly done.She was too harsh on the Northerners.She somehow sounded as if it was only Hausa people that were in the Nigerian Army that fought against Biafra.She didnt dwell on the fact that in the 66 coup, Igbo people spared their own like Zik and the south eastern premeir but killed Balewa, Sardauna and Akintola.She somehow sounded as if the attack on Igbos was unprovoked.She also didnt dwell on the wether Ojukwu ran away or not when defeat became imminentrather her very unflattering remarks and false statements about sardauna's death.I wasnt too happy with the end, but i guess it is her style.I then thought , have Nigerians learnt anything from our past?”
“I just finished reading this book on friday. I couldnt describe the jumble of emotions I was experiencing. the first instinct I had was to call my dad and mum to talk about their experiences during the war. I have tried to imagine myself during the period and wondred how I would have been able to handle a lot of the grueling experiences described. I pray to God everyday that whatever happens in the current Nigerian poility, we never resort to a full blown civil war again. ”
