Americanah

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh

Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Shortlisted for the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction 2014.

From the award-winning author of Half of a Yellow Sun, a powerful story of love, race and identity.

As teenagers in Lagos, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are fleeing the country if they can. The self-assured Ifemelu departs for America. There she suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Thirteen years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria, while Ifemelu has achieved success as a blogger. But after so long apart and so many changes, will they find the courage to meet again, face to face?

Fearless, gripping, spanning three continents and numerous lives, the National Book Critics Circle Award-winning Americanah is a richly told story of love and expectation set in today’s globalised world.

©2013 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (P)2013 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

“Actress Adjoa Andoh brings to life Adichie’s complex, beautifully wrought novel – which is both a love story and a nuanced analysis of political topics including systemic racism in America; immigration in the UK; and the class system in Nigeria.” (Vogue)

"One of the previous decade’s landmark novels [...] Andoh is a skilled, exciting narrator." (The Times)

"Andoh's rich voice and distinct characters and rhythm keep the listener engrossed.... Andoh has fun adopting a mocking lilt for Ifemelu's snarky blog entries.... [and] a more serious tone brings authenticity to the heartbreak of Obinze's London experience." ( AudioFile)

Magnificent!

An unforgettable story about race, class, immigration and the meaning of skin color. As a white reader, I was educated by this beautifully written, sensitive and thoughtful novel. I particularly enjoyed hearing the accented speech which I wouldn’t have heard as a reader.

Honest and intimate

Narrator
There are many characters in this novel, and the narrator did justice to most of them. I could feel the slight differentiation for different people, which made it easy to listen to. The American accents for the protagonist's lovers were really bad though, and made it difficult for me to like those characters (I'm American).

Story
There were times when the story seemed to drag, and it is a very long book. The ending also felt a bit rushed, but good endings are rare.
I recommend this book because it tells stories that Americans don't get to hear very often - a holistic view of America from a Nigerian woman. And because it tells them with refreshing relatability.
Adichie's characters were extremely real - she might describe a little quirk about someone that you yourself have noticed in acquaintances. She tells us her protagonist's thoughts even when they are unflattering or ordinary.
I think that's what makes this book such a success - it actually presents relatable characters and their relatively mundane lives (I read a lot of sci-fi) in a way that is compelling.

Long but captivating...

Loved this book. Although it was long, the narrator pulled you in and allowed you to share in on the journey.

Wow!!

One of my favorite books ever and narrated as beautifully as any audio book I have ever listened to. A MUST!!!

Excellent read!

This is the third book by Adichie that I have read. It is my favorite! As an expat living in Lagos, I enjoyed the narrator's spot on local accent (though the American accents sounded a little flat - almost mocking). Adichie's characters are so rich! Although I have finished the novel, I am wondering about the characters, where they are now and what they are doing.

I highly recommend Americanah! I do think some working knowledge of Nigeria and/or Lagos enhances the enjoyment of the novel, it is not necessary. Adichie is a lovely writer, with a talent for creating wonderful characters, lush settings and story lines that pull a reader in.

Superbly written!

This book gives a spot on this picture in of what I no as the Nigerian americanah experience from those I know. This author is an exceptional writer and storyteller! The narrator for this book was great as well. She really captured the igbo/English dialect.

completely engaging

great first audio book experience from this author. never read a book by this author? start here. wonderful reader.

Great Read

This was an incredible story of one bold, strong, and courageous woman's journey! enjoyed this book immensely!

So glad I finally "heard" this book

I've been meaning to read this book ever since it was published. Hearing it was a special treat. (I'm recovering from knee surgery. Getting comfortable to read a book is difficult.) I appreciated the author's hard look at race in America. I liked getting to meet all the characters. I think the protagonist was very lucky to be pretty and smart and have people forgive her often questionable behavior. Some parts made me laugh out loud. Other places made me worry and hold my breath. I want to learn more about Africa. The author's use of language and her voice are strong and distinctive. It's a book to read/listen to.

Fun, sensual, thoughtful book, well performed

Gave my print copy to my sister after buying it based on first chapter. Very glad it worked out so I have listened to it instead. Adiche's description and dialogue put me right there in church or subway or cafe. Thoughts all of us who don't wear the Right look or don't wear it well will connect with the observations, experiences and feelings this book lays out.
Race, foreigness and culture shock on the coming and returning give this story so much to think and feel.
the reading was also amazing.