Purple Hibiscus- Chimamanda ngozie adichie

[BabyLlamaZen]

Anyone else read this and want to discuss? I loved it. Have just finished it.

It's my first book of hers, so wondering which one to go for next.

I've not read it but I highly recommend Americanah

I liked Americanah but I much preferred Half of a Yellow Sun and still think it's her strongest novel.

BabyLlama, I haven’t read it but i would appreciate your opinion on whether you think it’s suitable for a 15-year old. It’s on her recommended reading list hoeever, for example, I read Half a yellow sun by the same author and really enjoyed it but I don’t think it would be suitable for my DD yet due to the violent and sexual content. So I’m wondering if PH is written in a similar vein? Thank you

Half a Yellow Sun is fantastic, as is Americanah. Of the three of these, I like Half a Yellow Sun the least. (That's not saying I didn't like it - I really did, it's just I have preferred it to have concentrated on just one of the characters in it.

I've read in quite a lot of Goodreads reviews people saying that Americanah isn't subtle enough in its message, and is a lecture or long opinion essay. But I disagree with that - thought it was amazing.

@Victoria1083 I'd let my 15-year-old son read it. Is she particularly sensitive? You do get a sense of fear from the get-go (I think - been a while since I read it!) It's a brilliantly written book - shame to prevent her from reading it.

I really liked Purple Hibiscus - I've liked all Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie books that I've read (PH, Half a yellow sun, Americanah). PH is the least political of the 3, but it deals with a girl and her physically abusive father. It's tough so it would depend on your DD, @Victoria1083.
@BabyLlamaZen, I would recommend Half a Yellow Sun next. I think it's her best book. It's long but fascinating; I preferred it to Americanah, which was good but I felt a bit wandering and trying to cover so much ground. Half a Yellow Sun is very focussed and I felt very passionate.
Another writer from the African continent whose book I really enjoyed (preferred it to Americanah, actually) is We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

Purple Hibiscus is my favourite of her novels. The dad reminded me of the dad in Go Tell It on the Mountain and they both remind me of my own dad so maybe that’s why I related to it so much.