Just superb. Each of these stories is a perfect little gem in which she explores characters and ideas and relationships - whether it is the wealthy IgJust superb. Each of these stories is a perfect little gem in which she explores characters and ideas and relationships - whether it is the wealthy Igbo student and the poor Hausa market-stall holder hiding together from a riot in A Private Experience, the diverse group of African authors gathered together for workshop on African literature organised by a white Englishman in Jumping Monkey Hill or The American Embassy where a women is seeking asylum in the US following a tragedy.
Some of the best of them are slice-of-life tales that explode with a sudden, surprising ending. The final story, The Headstrong Historian falls somewhat into the category, although is quite different to the others, set initially in a late 19th Century West Africa coming under colonial rule (while all the others are set in the present), it shows the deliberate destruction of local culture by force, education and making assimilation attractive - but with a surprising fall out generations later.
Many of the pieces share themes - the immigrant experience. or the sudden realisation of inequality and power, or the revelation of distrust or misogyny or a strength or freedom that someone didn't know they possessed.
Adichie is an astonishingly good author, writing with both power and subtlety. She paints character and setting and situation with both sensation and internal life so as to make them utterly real. It is the kind of writing that makes you forget you are reading.
This is aided in the audio being read by Adjoa Andoh, who has long been one of my favourite actors, and is amongst the very finest voice actors and readers on the planet....more
Tade Thompson’s novel gripped me from the first page. He painted the environment so well - this bustling metropolis that had sprung up around the alieTade Thompson’s novel gripped me from the first page. He painted the environment so well - this bustling metropolis that had sprung up around the alien biodome, that people had so quickly accepted as normal, seemed completely real. Kaaro is such an intriguing character - and unreliable narrator who is aware of his own flaws, but still not as clever as he thinks he is....more
This third instalment continues the tale of the growth and adventures of Binti, a Himba girl from the Namib, in some indeterminate future Earth. A litThis third instalment continues the tale of the growth and adventures of Binti, a Himba girl from the Namib, in some indeterminate future Earth. A little less focused that the previous, shorter, works, this is still wondrously rich and imaginative, the focus on the African setting and that same tinge given to the alien aspects gives this a feel that is both fresh and feels grounded and mature, with the history and culture Okorafor paints for the Himba giving the story deep and solid routs....more
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