Women of the World: Nigerian Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie On Love, Loss and Everything Inbetween

If you walk into any bookshop across the country, I can guarantee that you will find one of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novels front and centre. Whether on recommendation from the workers or on a table of modern must-reads, Adichie’s work is beloved by any and every bibliophile. From her beautiful prose to her contribution towards the development of postcolonial and feminist literary schools, the widespread praise for Adichie is beyond deserved. These explorations of race and gender are intricately woven through all her novels, from the explorations of the African diaspora in ‘Americanah’ or the consequences of the Nigerian civil war in ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun’.

Adichie was born in Enugu, Nigeria in 1977, 10 years after the end of the Nigerian Civil War. Her father, James, worked for the Biafran government during the war, but, after the war ended and Biafra ceased to exist, he worked at the University of Nigeria with Adicihie’s mother. Growing up in a country, still reeling from the consequences of civil war, is the subject of many of her later works. The University provided a home for the family to live in, which had previously been occupied by author Chinua Achebe, who Adicihie cites as one of her main inspirations. Adicihie attended school and university in both Nigeria, where she made sure to take courses in both Igbo and English, and the USA. Her own experiences being torn between her native Nigerian culture or Igbo language and her schooling and new life in the US are clear influences for the same turmoil experienced by the characters in her novels.

This can be seen in one of Adichie’s most well-known works, and my personal favourite, is her 2003 debut ‘Purple Hibiscus’. The novel follows 15-year-old Kambili who lives under the oppressive rule of her fanatically religious father in Nigeria. As she spends time with her more liberal aunt, she experiences freedom for the first time, leading to a personal awakening and eventual family upheaval. The novel explores themes of growing up, familial love and religion, all in postcolonial Nigeria.

Not only does the novel chart the individual struggle of Kambili, but the collective struggle of the whole country of Nigeria, as it tries to find its feet in the wake of civil war and violent coups

Not only does the novel chart the individual struggle of Kambili, but the collective struggle of the whole country of Nigeria, as it tries to find its feet in the wake of civil war and violent coups. Adichie expertly crafts a coming-of-age novel set in a country that is coming-of-age simultaneously.

However, her most widely awarded novel is her exploration of the African diaspora in America and Britain, with ‘Americanah’. It charts the journeys of two childhood sweethearts in Nigeria, Ifemelu and Obinze, who move to America and the UK respectively. The two’s idealised images of the West are stretched to the limit as they face difficulties and racism in their new homes. The novel ends with the two reuniting in Nigeria, highlighting Adichie’s skill in her ability to keep such a sprawling epic tightly focused. ‘Americanah’ not only explores the immigrant experiences of diaspora and discrimination, but the love for one’s homeland, and the beauty that comes from reigniting this love.

Adichie’s writing talent is not limited to novels, her essay ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ is still a seminal introductory text for many modern feminists. The essay is a very short adaptation of her TED talk with the same name. Given that the book is only 50 pages, it is not an in-depth analysis of any sort, but is instead an overview of Adichie’s beliefs and experiences. She discusses some of her own experiences with sexism growing up in Nigeria, and emphasises both the role that men should play in the feminist movement and the way they themselves will benefit. Audio from the TED talk which inspired this essay was actually featured in Beyonce’s 2013 song ‘Flawless’, allowing Adicihie’s talent to span across mediums.

This extensive work and her unmatched talent has not gone unnoticed in the literary world

This extensive work and her unmatched talent has not gone unnoticed in the literary world. She has received countless awards, fellowships and recognitions from all across the literary world. In 2007, her novel ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun’ won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, alongside countless other awards. In 2008, she received one of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation fellowships, also colloquially known as ‘genius grants’. Her novels are always highly praised by critics, with her upcoming novel ‘Dream Count’ already generating buzz.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores topics pertinent to us all, through her own unique lens. Her presentation of Nigerian culture and history are particularly interesting, with her paving the way for other authors to explore their own countries unapologetically. Often drawing on her family’s own personal experiences, her lyrical writing style carries these grand, complex ideas in innately human stories. Finally returning after her 10 year hiatus, I cannot wait to see what this literary icon has in store for us next.