This is the first book by Chimamanda I’ve read that didn’t tell a single story. When I opened the first page, I had assumed that the book will be all about the first story. I really enjoyed the story and was looking forward to reading more about how going to prison changed Nnamabia’s life. But the next chapter was a completely different story. That caught me by surprise.
While reading each story, I was expecting to read a continuation of each story in the next chapter but sadly each chapter was a new story. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed every single story but I needed more. It’s like watching a really good movie and then losing power supply. You feel so miserable and desperate to finish the movie.
Chimamanda sure do like pairing her fresh off the boat female characters in America with white men and she knows how to make you desperately want the relationship to work. One of the chapters told the story of a young Igbo girl brought over to America by her uncle who later tried to rape her but she ran away to a new city, got a waitress job and of course, got into a relationship with a white man from a rich family.
One thing I love about Chimamanda’s stories is that she always make her female characters strong. They may be in the worst situation imaginable but they always fight hard to gain their freedom and prove their equality to men. My favorite female character is Nwamgba. She is everything a strong and courageous woman should be. She is not easily intimidated and is ready to go to war and fight for her rights.
Disclaimer: I read this book few months ago (in 2016) and had the review written up on my iPhone but I completely forgot to share it on here. I also read Astonishing the Gods by Ben Okri but failed to share the review. Please forgive my forgetfulness and tardiness.
Linda's Book Review 