“She wanted to … tell him how unnecessary it was, this bloodying and binding, this turning faith into a pugilistic exercise; to tell him that life was a struggle with ourselves more than with a spear-wielding Satan; that belief was a choice for our conscience always to be sharpened. […] He told her … that life did not make sense but we all had to have faith nonetheless.”
— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This book is a collection of 12 short stories, but it feels more like 12 windows into the lives of people who seem simultaneously distant and close. As always, Adichie has a wonderful ability of making us identify with lives that are vastly different from ours, and each of her story reveals both humanity and social commentary on the world.
I’ve loved every single one of Adichie’s novels, and this book doesn’t disappoint. Her writing is marvelous, tinged with a lyrical melancholy that grasps the heart. The only shortcoming of this short story collection is that it forces us to be invested in a character, only to quickly move on to another protagonist with the end of every story. If it were up to me, I’d gladly read a novel on each character of her stories.
My rating: 5/5.
shaffira gayatri 
I haven’t read this, but I read ‘Half of the Yellow Sun’ and it was such a great read. She’s a very talented writer.
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“Half of the Yellow Sun” is my favourite book of hers too!! Although I love everything she writes ♥️ make sure to read “Americanah” too, it’s especially relevant with today’s BLM movement 🙂
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Thank you for the recommendation. Yes, ‘Americanah’ has been on my list since two years ago. Will need to pick it up soon!
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