Half of a Yellow Sun

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Narrated by: Zainab Jah

NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST • From the award-winning, bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists—a haunting story of love and war. • Recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction “Winner of Winners” award.

With effortless grace, celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie illuminates a seminal moment in modern African history: Biafra's impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic in southeastern Nigeria during the late 1960s. We experience this tumultuous decade alongside five unforgettable characters: Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old houseboy who works for Odenigbo, a university professor full of revolutionary zeal; Olanna, the professor’s beautiful young mistress who has abandoned her life in Lagos for a dusty town and her lover’s charm; and Richard, a shy young Englishman infatuated with Olanna’s willful twin sister Kainene.

Half of a Yellow Sun is a tremendously evocative novel of the promise, hope, and disappointment of the Biafran war.

Good book, sad ending

I didn't know anything about the Nigerian civil war or even that they had one before this book. I didn't realize what kind of story I was getting myself into. I come away with learning about some history. But the last few chapters left me feeling depressed :( I didn't enjoy that aspect, and rarely do I come across a book with a sad ending. I gave 4 stars for the depressing ending. The book was well written. I was throughly engaged and immersed in the story with the characters, I could feel myself being there in the scenes and feeling my emotions as if I were there.

Good book but skip the audio

Good book but better as a physical copy than on audio. I usually listen to audiobooks while I multitask but this book required more focus imo so I think it would’ve been better to read a hard copy.

wonderful, educational narrative

both the author and the narrator have true gifts for story telling. I particularly liked learning about a civil war and country I had never heard of before. I feel inspired to educate myself much more!

Brilliant

I was transformed and transcended into Biafra. I now understand my Igbo brothers and sisters. Thank you ❤️

The rising sun shall rise someday

Beautifully written and beautifully read. Thank you so much I truly appreciate the time and effort you put in the story, it was all worth it.

The hype is true

Adored the story and the storyteller. This is a story about resilience and the importance of preserving ancient cultures and traditions.

Love💛

I have read all of Chimamanda Adichie's books, this one made me feel every emotion known to man. Brilliantly performed and written. I feel so connected to her characters.

Very good

A very well told
story of civil war and Biafra and Nigeria and mostly of love. Incredible narration

Enlightening

I am an African American woman with a determination to learn about other cultures

Absolutely Breathtaking!

This book made me so happy that I actually have a subscription to audible. The writing by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is phenomenal. There is no comparison implied in this statement but she in the league and level of Toni Morrison in her ability to craft and weave a story full of rich and tangible characters. The narration by Zainab Jah transported me and gave me the feeling I had long since forgotten from childhood when I first learned the power of books to propel you into another world. The personification and acting out of the characters through the solitary use of her voice added such a depth and richness to the story where I felt as though the characters were a part of my life. I actually dreamed about them in a way that I hadn’t dreamed about character from books since I was young. If you are on the fence, get off this is a must have, a must read, a must listen!