Jun 9, 2009

Purple Hibiscus, book review

Purple Hibiscus: A Novel Purple Hibiscus: A Novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie



"That's a hibiscus, isn't it, Aunty?" Jaja asked, staring at a plant close to the barbed wire fencing. "I didn't know there were purple hibiscuses." p. 128

from Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, award-winning Nigerian author.

Kambili, 15 years old, and her brother Jaia are brought up by a overly strict father in a wealthy Nigerian household. They are taught to reject the traditional ways for a harsh and distorted version of Christianity. The children find some balance between the old ways and the new in the home of their aunt, a university professor. The children's mother copes with her husband's excessive behavior in an unusual way.

An interesting look at the blending and the clash between the modern and the old beliefs in Africa and an indictment of religion as it is propagated and practiced by some.


View all my reviews.

Bookmark and Share

5 comments:

  1. Sounds very interesting! This one may go on my wish list!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The hibiscus come in so many colors.. I am sure there is a purple one out there, as creating new colors is a goal for those horticulturists and garden enthusiasts, who strive to create new varieties

    ReplyDelete
  3. I know there are pale purple Rose of Sharon, or hibiscus trees, but haven't come across a purple hibiscus plant yet.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The cover of this book is so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

Han Kang: Witness Literature

A new genre to me: Witness literature  - stories and narratives that reflect a writer's knowledge and experience of world shattering eve...