Come and chat to Orange Prize winner Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about her new novel, AMERICANAH, on Tues 29 April, 9-10pm

[TillyBookClub]

April’s choice is a powerhouse of a book that informs and entertains in equal measure. AMERICANAH is the third novel from Orange-Prize winner Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who tackles the enormous subject of race with such vitality, intelligence and general chutzpah that you speed through the pages enchanted. AMERICANAH is first and foremost an epic love story spanning three continents: Nigerian teenagers Ifemelu and Obinze grow up together and fall in love, but are drawn apart when Ifemelu moves to study in the US and Obinze tries his luck in the UK, before returning to be a wealthy Lagos businessman.

Alternating between Ifemelu’s struggles with American ideas of race, and Obinze’s foray into being an illegal immigrant, the novel covers the next thirteen years before they finally meet again (in a 21st century, globalized, democratic Nigeria), and find out if they can regain what was lost. Along the way are many relationships, jobs, mistakes and triumphs, misunderstandings and epiphanies. And hairstyles: as Ifemelu experiments with straightened/Afro/cornrowed hair, her story moves through an identity crisis, into an activist phase and finally an acceptance of her roots, all of which is told with humour and acutely observant detail.

This is a book to make you think deeply, to see a subject in the round in all it's complexity and paradox, to hear things spoken out loud that are so often fudged over. Adichie’s ideas are fresh and bold, her writing always personal and perceptive: she is equally marvellous covering Nigerian politics as she is writing day-to-day dialogue. This is a very funny, very warm, rollicking, authentic, absolutely astonishing book. Don’t miss it – it might easily be your best book of the year.

Chimamanda's TED talk, ‘The Danger of the Single Story’ has been viewed 6.5 million times. You can view it here.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born in Nigeria in 1977. Her first novel 'Purple Hibiscus' was published in 2003 and was longlisted for the Booker Prize. Her second novel 'Half of a Yellow Sun' won the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction. Her work has been selected by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association and the BBC Short Story Awards, and in 2010 she appeared on the New Yorker's list of the best 20 writers under 40.

Fourth Estate have 50 free copies to give to Mumsnetters – to claim yours please fill in your details here. We’ll post on the thread when all the copies have gone. If you’re not lucky enough to bag one of the free books, you can always get your paperback or Kindle version here.

We are delighted that Chimamanda will be joining us to discuss Americanah, her writing life and all her previous books on Tuesday 29 April, 9-10pm. So please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month, pop up any advance questions and we will see you all here, Tue 29 April.

My questions to Chimamanda:

Which of her characters does she most identify with, from Americanah or any of her other books?

Also, what does she draw on for inspiration - her own experience, that of people she knows or has spoken to; or something else entirely?

Thank you so much for a copy of the book; have loved reading it - also really enjoyed Chimamanda's other books.

I enjoyed this book immensely and was fairly sure I would, having previously read 'Half of a Yellow Sun' and loved it.

In both of these books I particularly appreciated the incredible sense of place. I've lived in the USA as a foreigner and a British English speaker and I found myself nodding and laughing at the observations made about the two different versions of the language and the common misunderstandings that arise. Having lived there for six years myself I could tell that Chimamanda has also spent some serious time in the country, otherwise she couldn't have written such a rich, descriptive narrative. The shortening of names, for instance, and the refusal to properly acknowledge a name that is not familiar, was something that I'd noticed too.

I was also very interested by the race angle of the book. As a white British person I blunder through life largely unaware of the experiences of people of colour around me. The essential differences between the heritage of a black American and a black African and how this informs their way of seeing the world were things I had not dwelt upon, so I found this very interesting and informative - thank you for opening my eyes.

Question for Chimamanda: how long do you spend researching and writing each of your books? You're not an author who churns out a book a year, instead you present us with one beautifully formed gem every few years, so are you working on the next book all that time or do you go off and do other things? The richness of your characters suggests that you spend a long time bringing them to life - but maybe it would just take ME a long time and for you it's a much faster process!

I haven't read Americanah but loved the previous two novels. I would be interested to know what Chimamanda thinks about the current situation in Nigeria. Does she think that there is any hope of the religious tensions easing; is this something which affects her life there? Thanks

Congratulations that Americanah has been short listed for the Baileys Prize andwon the US National Book Critics Award, it is well deserved.

I used to live in Birmingham which is multi-racial, the school that my son attended had children from 56 different countries. Despite being heavily involved with that school and with the parents your book has taught me so much about what people who are different have to face. Have you sufferedfrom racism and if so how did you overcome it (apart from writing this wonderful book of course)?

Hi Chimamanda,

I've almost finished the book and am hoping to do so before tomorrow night (but at the same time, I've been delaying reaching the end as I'm enjoying it so much! I find Ifemelu totally believable as a character and the sort of woman who I can relate to).

Anyway, in case I don't make the webchat, I've one question I would like to ask. Throughout the book you talk about race in terms of colour of skin and the experiences of black people. Ifemelu says she didn't realise she was black until she moved to America. Within Nigeria is there an equivalent of racism? Maybe people are not discriminated against by the colour of their skin, but aren't there discriminations against different ethnic groupings? E.g the Igbos? Maybe this is a simplistic question but it is something that interests me as my family are white immigrants to this country. Also, your book 'Half of a Yellow Sun' and the horrors it tells of the Biafran war has stayed with me. I would love to think that the ethnic tensions died at the end of the conflict, but realistically I think that cannot be so?

Hello Chimamanda, the book was excellent, thanks for writing it. And thanks to Mumsnet for free copy.

My question: Did you base most of your characters on particular people that you knew or are most characters an amalgamation of many people (imagined or not)? Although Shan was a minor character, she has really stuck in my head.

Also, I am originally from the US and could identify with the whole "not mentioning race" scenario. Am thinking about the scene in the shop where the manager was trying to determine if the white or black assistant was helping Ifemelu's friend. It's much more the "white one" or the "black one" in the UK, which is now normal to me. But sometimes when I go back to the US, I forget. And then I get a lot of funny looks.

Thanks for my free copy of Americanah which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. I thought it was well written and researched. I would like to ask Chimamanda what sparked the idea for this novel and what book she is currently working on that we can look forward to.

I loved this book and find the commentary on how race, religion and social standing can divide a community. I was wondering if your characters are portrayed as trying to each overcome one of these in the hope the others would then pale into insignificance in comparison?

Hi Chimamanda. I'm half way through the highly addictive and engaging 'Americanah' - big congratulations on being short listed for the BP and winning the critics' choice award. I am savouring the book and am really not looking forward to finishing it as I know I'll get the end of Adichie novel blues! I really love your characterisation in this novel, especially the relationship between Curt and Ife. The bits about his selective views and takes on racism really stood out for me.

Last year I taught 'Purple Hibiscus' to my A level students in an inner city London college. Many of my students are Nigerian and it was brilliant to hear their responses to your writing. What I really cherished is how much they owned the narrative and how proud they were that we were studying a book written about Nigeria and about certain things that they could relate to on a personal as well as cultural level. It was even more so poignant because this took place in a Catholic college and the links with religion were not lost on anyone, except for me at times (an atheist teaching in a faith school...) In a wonderful way, your novel brought me closer to my students.

So my questions to you are these: violence as a theme really stands out for me in your writing, sometimes it's there - lucid and present, sometimes it appears as a sinister hint, a possible threat. What importance do you place on portraying violence in your novels and why and what are your thoughts on how violence is still perpetrated and dealt with in today's society - especially violence towards women as well as violence within family unit? Finally having lived in the USA as well as Nigeria - do you find that attitudes towards this issue are much different?

Apologies if this post reads like a garbled mess - I'm trying to feed my baby at the same time! I'm not feeling particularly articulate at the moment so I do hope this post makes sense...

Thanks to all for their advance q's, looking forward to hearing Chimamanda's answers tonight... See you 9 pm..

Hi Chimamanda

I loved Americanah
Do you think Ifemelu and Blaine had feelings for one another, or that they were just what each needed at the time?

This book read more like a lesson than a story; I felt like one of Ifemelu's earnest blog followers being reprimanded for being inadvertently prejudiced, for being complicit for not having struggled as a black person in a white world- but what is one to do? 'racism should never have happened and you don't get a cookie for making it stop'. The book unpicked my own guilt as a non black in a predominantly non black western world, or in a society where power lies in favour of non blacks. Possibly the most relentless book about racism I have ever read because there is no salvation or redemption for its characters. Ifemelu is never content and she sneers at everyone and everything, not excusing herself even. I don't know if I was in awe of her or felt repelled (or tired even) by her relentlessness. I liked how all the different threads were inter weaved: the elections, her hair, her relationships. The comparisons between Europe and America were interesting, but was not the narrative then guilty of generalising; just as the many many references to 'Africa' as if it were one country were flawed?

I'm hoping to join the webchat this eve but incase I don't make it I just wanted to say thank you to mumsnet for giving me the chance to read the book and to Chimamanda for such an amazing book. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it and have since bought both your previous two books (am currently halfway through Half of a Yellow Sun). I really love the detailed descriptions of daily life in both books (particlularly love the hairdresser scenes in Americanah and the kitchen/food preparation scenes in Half of a Yellow sun).

I have learned SO much from reading your books - and in Americanah particularly it gives an astonishing insight into life as an african in america. I wonder if you live in America now and my question - do you think things have changed for black people living in america since Obama has become president?

Hi there Chimamanda,
Your book it fantastic, such a delicious read. It's a peek into a world that is fascinating and painful, but rich and humbling.
And so interesting about hair! Could you tell us a bit more about the whole hair hierarchy? How about writing a book just about that?
Thanks

plssssss those that got a free copy, post to me after reading...will post it bk

Chimamanda, I haven't had a chance to read Americanah yet, although it waiting for me to pick it up when I have the time. I loved your previous two novels, both of which I read while I was living in Nigeria for five years. It's an endlessly fascinating country that turns one's assumptions on their heads sometimes!

How hopeful are you that Nigeria's current troubles can be overcome, tapping into its immense wealth and the potential of its population to improve life for all citizens? How much time do you spend in Nigeria now and do you find it a culture shock going between two such different countries?

If I may ask another question, which other contemporary Nigerian authors do you admire?

Many thanks for reading this.

Hi Chimamanda, I have read and enjoyed and been moved and challenged by all of your books. I absolutely loved Americanah. There is so much I could ask but I’ll post 4 questions and let you choose which to answer.

1. Can Ifemelu really be happy with Obinze? Her abandonment put him through hell and yet he’s ready to leave his wife and daughter for her? She seems like a restless, discontented person who will ultimately tire of his simple and unconditional love.

2, After reclaiming her African accent Ifemelu goes on a quest for authenticity. This includes growing out her relaxed hair. “Relaxing your hair is like being in a prison. You’re caged.” She writes. Much of her blog conflates self-acceptance for black women with natural hair. However, it doesn’t allow for the women whose hair relaxation isn’t about conforming but about self-expression or practicality (with straight hair you can literally wash and go). Does she (and black women) have to move away from the politics of hair? After all what is natural? Long synthetic hair braided into your own short afro? Natural hair worn under a weave? Using a hot iron? Where do we draw the line?

Shouldn’t hair be about the attitude of the person and not a rod black women use to judge and beat each other?

1. The release of Half of a Yellow Sun has been delayed by censors in Nigeria. Is it too soon for a national dialogue about the Biafran way?

1. Is it problematic – in terms of telling authentic African stories – that while there are so many incredible Nigerian writers, the absence of a structured publishing industry in Nigeria means they are all published by foreign publishers?

Hi Chimamanda

I love your books and I think you have lovely hair (sorry is that too shallow and inappropriate??)

My question is, how did you manage to write the rape scene in Half a Yellow Sun? Was it a harrowing experience, and did you ever consider just not including it?

Sorry have just read previous posts and realise there is an important political discussion taking place about hair - I just thought yours looked nice in the author pictures I have seen of you!

Slinks off in shame at lack of political awareness

Hi, I was lucky enough to win one of the copies of your book. I just wanted to say I am enjoying it so far and interested to see where it goes - I am avoiding reading this thread at the moment because I don't want to come across spoilers!

Hi Chimamanda,

I have just finished reading Americanah which I absolutely loved in so many ways. Many thanks to Mumsnet for my copy and I shall be looking out for your other books.

I've got two questions: the first is about the relationship between themes and characters in your books, and which comes first? Do you decide to write about a particular subject and then develop the characters in the story, or do the characters and their personal stories come to you independently?

Secondly, it was clearly great timing that the first black president of America should be elected during Ifemelu's time there, and I really enjoyed those scenes - the sense of almost impossible hopefulness turning into triumph. I wondered what impact you feel Obama's presidency has had on race issues, and is this something you might address in another book?

Congratulations on being shortlisted for the Baileys Prize, and thank you for a really wonderful read!

Testing

Haven't joined a live web chat before. Am I in the right place?

@totesMum

Haven't joined a live web chat before. Am I in the right place?

Yes ! Welcome. We'll introduce Chimamanda at 9pm and she will be answering questions over the hour between 9 and 10pm. Do join us.

Thanks!