Half a Yellow Sun

[GreatExpectations2012]

I've been struggling my way through this since mid-December. Is it really as earth-shattering as everyone has said? Should I keep going? I guess I'm about a third of the way through and haven't found myself gripped as yet.

Half 'of' a Yellow Sun, still getting to grips with my iPad.

It is on my to read list for 2012. I'm prepared for it to be a difficult and harrowing read - I've been listening to a podcast of an interview with the author (I'm not going to attempt to spell her name, I'm bound to get it wrong ). There were so many people asking her questions about it, and saying how much they loved the novel that I'm hoping it won't be one I struggle to finish. There was an upsetting excerpt she read from the novel, about an incident on a train journey, but I won't repeat it in case you haven't got there yet.

I thought it was v good but not earth-shattering. Then again if you're a third of the way through and not interested, I'd say give up - life is too short.

I really enjoyed it but did find it difficult to get into initially. I found the historical aspect interesting but thought the characterization was lacking. It didn't really "wow" me at the time but it is a book that has stayed with me iyswim ?

I've decided to put in on Mum's bookshelf and have another go in the summer. I'm finding the characters really hard going, I can only recognise two.

Started reading Are we nearly there yet? last night - something at the complete opposite end of the spectrum and am half way through.

Is Are we nearly there yet any good, Great? I've got a sample on my kindle waiting for me.

I didn't enjoy it. Found it a bit stilted in parts. There were a couple of observations that were a bit contrived I thought and sounded like she had saved them up for years to make a point even if they didn't really flow iykwim. I did slog my way through but didn't find it a fulfilling read.

I listened to it on audio CD for bookclub (accidentally ordered the wrong thing from the library!) which made it a very slow 'read'. It is harrowing, but not as bad as I thought it would be, which is good because the problem with audio is it's very difficult to skim quickly past any section you really don't want to read as you can't look ahead and spot them.

I found the characters representing aspects of countries part very contrived (I know Rushdie did it in Midnight's Children, but Rushdie does that very well) eg. Richard as Britain - ineffective, impotent and just what is he doing in Nigeria, apart from those vague 'historical reasons' he keeps mentioning? Not a book I'd rush to read again.

I really enjoyed it but I found it a bit slow to start as well. I'd say persevere as I'm really glad I read it. A whole piece of history I knew nothing about before.

I struggled to read it in the beginning but it did pick up in the last half. I thought the writing was good, and the overall subject was something I knew nothing about so I liked learning about a different period of history. Having said that, it's not a book I am likely to read again.

I really enjoyed this book when I first read it and recently re-read it. Adichie writes really well in my opinion. I would also recommend Purple Hibiscus and there's also a book of short stories which I read over Christmas (Something around my neck?). I've spent quite alot of time in West Africa, so for me her books take me back and I can't put them down. Having said that, I didn't know there had been a civil war in Nigeria in the 60s until I read Half of a Yellow Sun.

i loved it - stick with it

I liked it but much preferred Purple Hibiscus.

timbuktu, that thing around your neck?

Yes, that's it. I read one story a night over christmas and they are all fabulous and I would love each of them to be extended into full blown novels. Her writing really leaves you wanting more - if you can't tell, I'm a big fan!!

I'd never have guessed - :)

I've just finished Half a Yellow sun, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I agree that it took a few chapters to get into it, but I'd already read Purple Hibiscus, so was expecting it. It's really stayed with me since I finished reading it at the weekend - the ending was pretty sad, I thought, and I so wanted to know what happened to her sister!!

I adored it. Read it again over xmas.