Ms. Adichie had me from the start!

Okay, I just finished reading "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and, I must say, it is one of the best books I've read in a LONG, LONG time! It was a book given to me by a very dear family friend. Admittedly, this is the first book I've read by her, and I must get the rest of her books!

Without going into much details, it centers around Ifemelu and Obinze (to an extent): their lives in Nigeria, Ifemelu in America and going back, and Obinze in England and returning to Nigeria. In Nigeria, Ife and Obinze dated, and dated for a while even when Ife studied in America. But, something happens to where Ife stops talking to Obinze. It goes on to talk about the ups and downs of life in America for Ife and her relatives, the adjustments, her disappointments and joys, and trying to stay true to her Nigerian identity. The same is true for Obinze's England experience. Ife eventually makes it back to Nigeria and Obinze, but...

What I loved about the book was the plot. I was hooked within the first 5 pages! I felt like I went to school with their friends; I rooted so badly for them to find their way back to each other...okay, okay, so I cheered for Ife and one...or two of her American boyfriends, but I still wanted her to make it back to Obinze.

I know me: I'm an internalist. It's in my introverted nature, I'm sorry...okay, so I'm not, but still...I don't know why I felt so invested in this book, in Ife and Obinze! When I finished, I wanted to laugh, cry, feel joy, everything!!! It left me wanting to know what happened to Ife and Obinze once she welcomed him back. I love that I felt their happiness and their sorrows, their hopes and tragedies. I laughed, cried, and was frustrated with them. I felt like I knew their friends and family and what they put them through.

And, along with the emotional attachments and stimulation, it was intellectually stimulating! Seriously! I know I've been conscientious about race, but I love the attention Ms. Adichie gives to it, particularly to the events leading up to and following the election of President Obama. And the challenge "Professor Hulk" gave to her about race and privilege for her blog. Oh, yes, Ife blogged about deep, heavy stuff. I love that you feel the struggle of her (and so many immigrants) have in adjusting to America and Europe, about the difficulties of gaining citizenship, identity, and trying to fit in. I love that other Africans she ran in to were inquisitive about her life in Nigeria and here, about Nollywood and the like.

You know a book is good when it leaves you blissfully and hopefully emotionally drained, yet wanting more!

I fell in love along with them. It may be a minute before I just get off of the literary cloud 9 that is Ife and Obinze!

Thank you, Ms. Adichie, for one of the best book adventures I've ever taken!
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