The Fates and Half of a Yellow Sun

[spokette]

I'm just coming to the end of "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and have been completely enthralled by the mesmerising and tragic story which is set against the backdrop of the decaying political environment in the newly independent Nigeria.

I vaguely knew something about the Biafran war but Adichie's shockingly brutal evocation leaves you in no doubt that ethnic cleansing as well as revenge was at the heart of this tragic conflict. She intertwines the lives of her main characters into Nigeria's emerging decay and provides a historical perspective which effectively challenges the reader to reflect on the root causes of the conflict, i.e. corrupt British rule that blatently contrived to pit different groups of people against one another in a cynical, deplorable move to ensure the failure of the new independent state.

Another book that I have just ordered from Amazon is The Fates by Tino Georgiou which has also received excellent reviews.

Anybody else reading these books?

I loved Half of a Yellow Sun. I had no idea of the history of Nigeria, it certainly was an eyeopener. I have bought another book of hers, Purple Hibiscus, but haven't started it yet.

Hi - I've just started half of a Yellow Sun and I'm enjoying it so far - haven't got to the war yet, so bracing myself.

One thing that is niggling me slightly though is the character of Richard. I don't find him entirely convincing - he seems very much like a man drawn from a woman's perspective somehow iyswim. I'll stick with it though and see if things improve as we go along.

Glad to hear that others have enjoyed it though.

I've got 'Half of a Yellow Sun' on my bookshelf here in Nigeria. I'll likely read it when I've finished my current book.

I have just starting reading Purple Hibiscus. I think Adichie is an insightful storyteller and I'm intrigued by authors who have influenced her, especially, Chinua Achebe so I am going to be seeking out his books too.

Richard's character comes across as a lost,sensitive, considerate and at times, simpering, expat and I really felt for him towards the end.

Before this book, my knowledge about the Biafran War amounted to those horrific images of children with extended bellies and thin limbs. Half of a Yellow Sun has made me more cognizant of why it happened and the culpability (no surprises there) of the British government.

It has been a long time since a book has left me feeling mournful and bereft. I was desperately hoping for a happy ending but it was not to be but under those circumstances and in keeping with the scale of the tragedy, why should it be so?

I also liked the twist at the end regarding the author of the book that interspersed the story.

just reading it myself and loving the storytelling and characters. no spoilers without warning please!

I've started on this book now. It's excellent, I can't believe the writer is only 30yo, it's so mature and experienced.

I'm living in Nigeria at the moment so the book is very pertinent and in some places I've found it painful reading.

11yo Dd is in a book club at her school; the teacher is trying to get Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to come and speak to the children. She's v busy at the moment, though!

Where in Nigeria are you Suedonim?

I was reading something on BBC website regarding the 40th anniversary of the Biafran War and people in Nigeria were saying that the war is not even taught in history lessons at schools. It appears that Nigeria wants to forget about happened.

I am just in the middle of reading Half of a Yellow Sun. Excellent, excellent excellent. If I didn't have a 5m old and 2 yr old (or being mnetting) I would have stayed up all night to finish but am pacing myself.

Great read.

I finished this book yesterday. It is indeed a page-turner and I read it far too late into the night. I think Adichie's characters are well drawn and so varied that I could visualise them all. I'm not sure about the political aspect, tbh. It assigns to the former colonial powers a degree of joined-up thinking that I'm not convinced they really had. Also her premise that the outside world wasn't aware of what was going on I don't think is right. I was a child at the time and it seemed that Biafra was always on TV.

Afaik, no-one speaks much of Biafra today in Nigeria, although Ojukwu is still alive. It's not a subject I'd dare raise with anyone, tbh. Plus there won't be many people still alive who experienced it, given that it was 40yrs ago and life expectancy here is about 49yrs. Tribal differences are still alive and kicking, though. Whenever there's some small dispute such as petty theft, the instant reaction is that it must be an Ibo or Beninian/Ghanaian/Cameroonian, never a Nigerian.

Spokette, I'm in Lagos (until Friday when we'll be back home in the UK!).

I read Half of a Yellow Sun with my book group, I thought it was fascinating and brilliantly written, others in the group weren't so impressed, they thought the charcterisation was a bit weak.

I'm surprised about your group's comment re characterisation, TC. I thought it was one of the strong points, but maybe that's because I'm living in the same country and can relate the characters to people I've met.

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my book group did Half of a yellow sun and liked it a lot - I however failed to finish it -

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I know and I was enjoying it then went to my mum's in the summer for a few days where I rediscovered a favourite book and had to read that and then just couldn't get back into Half of a Yellow Sun...

I loved it too and read it in 2 days. Knew absolutely nothing about the Biafran war and found the book fascinating. Have bought Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart after seeing her recommneding it.

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It has been on and off A level syllabuses for years but I have never read or taught it. Worth giving a go (after I finish Russell Brand's autobiography )

I bought both Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun a few months ago and have started Purple Hibiscus, I'm finding it a very absorbing read.

I finished Purple Hibiscus last night, Elkiedee. I was impressed, for the most part, but I won't spoil it for you by saying any more!

I finished Purple Hibiscus a few days ago and was very impressed, still thinking about it.

Recently read Half of a Yellow Sun. She writes incredibly well. Have got Purple Hibiscus on my list of must reads. Currently reading They were sisters by Dorothy Whipple and I'm reading Paradise (but can't remember how to spell the authors name)

Have just finished Half of a Yellow Sun last night. What a beautiful haunting novel. For those of you who have read ´Purple Hibiscus´ - is it as good???

The characters are so absorbing (Richard, less so) that they´ve stayed with me all day. Coming straight after ´A Thousand Splendid Suns´I do feel rather traumatised. They´ve both certainly opened my eyes to the world.