Beautifully written, & an education in Nigerian life (Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)

Member Name: Rosie78

Product:	Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Date:	30/09/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A gripping read

Disadvantages: Distressing in parts

Having already read Half of a Yellow Sun by the same author, which I loved, I snapped this book up when I saw it half price in Sainsburys. It follows the story of Kambili who is brought up in a strict Catholic household in Nigeria. The life she leads in her home town is strongly contrasted with the lives of her aunt and cousins in Nsukka, with whom she stays. At home she is subjected to physical abuse from her father and is regarded by her school friends as a snob. Spending time with her cousins she begins to realise how different other peoples lives are, and slowly begins to break the ties with her tyrannical father. It's a beautifully written book, very vividly drawn, so that the reader gets a really clear picture of the contrasting environments that are described. The characters are beautifully drawn as well. You get a real sense of the political tension, and the tension between Kambili and the Priest she begins to fall in love with. The description of her father's abuse is difficult to read, but it's not gratuitous. All in all I would highly recommend this book. It only took me a few days to finish it as I was hooked!

Summary: At £4 you can't go wrong!