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)

Highly Descriptive and Interesting but Lengthy

Since reading Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun, this writer has become one of my favourites so I felt obligated to read Americannah. The author did not disappoint on her ability to make characters and places come alive with her creative and clear descriptions; however, I expected a more exciting end to this story. The end was predictable, there was no element of surprise for me. I truly felt let down on finishing this book especially as it was circa 17 hours long.

Being from the Caribbean, I was able to appreciate and relate very much to the author's rich insights on the treatment of race in the USA and Europe as well as life in Africa (Nigeria) and I was most touched by her reference to the Caribbean (beach wedding) as well as one of my island's nobel laureates (Sir Derek Walcott).

Like some reviewers indicated, too much time was spent on developing too many minor characters which probably contributed to the book becoming unnecessarily lengthier.

Unlike what I have come to expect from this writer, Americannah did not leave me wondering what happened next or wanting more - unlike her other 2 books mentioned above where I felt compelled to reread the last page over and over for hidden clues, nor did it play on my emotions.

One question though, did she ever close the story of Iesha, the 'bad skin' hairdresser whose boyfriend Ifemelu had promised to visit? Was that an oversight on the writer's part or was it deliberate given the distraction of the 'suicide'?

All in all, a thought-provoking, emotion-testing, real, honest and brave account of life outside of one's race and comfort zone.

Loved! - An American Born Nigerian

What I loved most about this book is that it challenges all of the traditional stereotypes placed on Nigerian women. I often think about being the woman Ifemelu is, so to hear the embodiment of my secret hopes in a character fuels me to aspire more to being my own woman. Carrying on of the traditional norms are no more. The book not only reflects the changes of time within America, but also Nigeria.
I was also surprised how much I related to the story even though I was born and raised in America. This book helped me further understand some of the conflicts between Nigerian and American culture I’d previously chalked up to “this is just how things are.” I loved this story and I highly recommend it!
I did give 4 stars for performance because some of the accents weren’t the best renditions, but very good nonetheless. 5 stars overall!!

A heart warming love story

I enjoyed every bit of this story, such a heart warming piece and full of depth too. Though, I was sad that Obinze, as good as he was, had to hurt someone but happy that he and Ifemelu got to be together. I don't think the narrator did justice to the narration though, she tried to use a Nigerian accent that was a bit exaggerated. At some point though, I got used to it and even found it amusing.

Highly recommended

I loved this book. The characters are relatable and real. The discussion of race in America is refreshing and perfectly woven into the story. The narrator has a lovely voice and enacts the characters very well.

Lovely

The book had many layers and it was appealing to the very last word. The narration was also well done.

A Terrific Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

What wide scope and fascinating information -- I found this book compelling but also a bit too long and political

What did you like best about this story?

The rich cultural references and excellent narrator - The understanding I gained

sweeping, modem, global love story

This is the first Adiche novel I've read and certainly not the last. I was blown away by both the scope of the novel and also by its languorous, rolling pace. Adjoa Andoh's narration is stunning with her distinct, varying dialects of Nigeria, England, and different pockets of the United States. My only complaint is Adiche's choice to bounce us around chronologically and out of order. This may not have been an issue with the printed book, where you could flip back and refer to a previous chapter, but I found it challenging to keep the large supporting cast straight, especially over the varying time periods. Nevertheless, it's an excellent, sweeping novel!

Outstanding novel and narration

One of the best audiobooks I've "read", with outstanding narration by actress Adjoa Andoh — though I will say that her American accents are more funny than accurate. If you've ever emigrated, or ever known anyone who has — or if you've just been in a relationship — worth a listen.

Empowering

It was a long book but it was insightful. I learned a lot about race issues. I could relate to a lot of the love scenarios. I could relate to the cultural references. The book was authentic in its details, believable and well written. I like how it showed African romance in a positive light. It touched on very relevant issues regarding love and race in today's world.

Such Great Narration of a Beautiful Story

Adichie is a phenomenal writer, achingly beautiful prose holding up life's contradictions to consider. I often backed up to hear a line again just to admire.