AMERICANAH- CELEBRATING A LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT OF AN AMAZON
I was so excited to hear the news of Chimamanda Ngozi
Adichie's latest book 'Americanah' winning
2014 edition of National Book Critics Circle Award in far away US. It came as another testament to her prowess
as a writer and also as a validation of her contentions in the book. I have
read her previous offerings with delight and couldn't be happier that this one
excelled even her former works.
I have been following Ms. Adichie's literary development
with critical eyes and she has consistently proved to be a master in her genre.
She started out with an enchanting novel titled Purple Hibiscus, where she explored contemporary issues affecting
post military Nigeria, with undertones of religious extremism and chauvinism
explored. A remarkable debut that was shortlisted for numerous awards, she gave
a promise of better works to come in the book and this promise was to be
fulfilled in her following books.
Her next book, Half Of
A Yellow Sun, literarily blew my mind. Written about the Biafra war, it is
a book of immense historical value; modern and scintillating. In this book, Ms.
Adichie created characters that glowed with strength and passion. My most
favorite character in the book is the heroine, Olanna. Olanna became my vision
of a black Juliet; beautiful, strong, independent but tragic sister. She gave the book
a sensual magic that allures me still. I was joyed to know the book was later
adopted into a Hollywood movie and I cannot wait to see the story acted out on
the screen.
Ms. Adichie next release was a collection of short story
called 'The Thing Around Your Neck'. I am still defaulting on this book and it is
intentional. I read the book's review in a magazine though and the praises were
glowing. I expected nothing less. Ms.
Adichie writes with passion and professionalism.
Back to Americanah,
my reason for the blog post, I dare say it is the Nigerian book of the century.
Very political and Nigerian in content, even though the setting alternates
between US, UK and Nigeria, Americanah
is a book that will move readers and excite literary connoisseurs. As it is now native to Ms. Adichie, her
characters, especially the heroine is another hot radical feminist who mirrors
the complexities of being a Nigerian in Diaspora. Vocal, sexy and cosmopolitan,
Ifemelu has joined Olanna as my virtual soul mate and my vision of a perfect
African lady.
I am also excited by her uncanny gift at expatiation.
Reading Americanah, you feel drawn in
into the story, marveling at the way Ms. Adichie brings her book pages to life.
She writes with Nigerian voice but cosmopolitan world view and I'm sure a lot
of Nigerians of my age and time must be proud to share our country with this
beautiful scribe. She's an icon of excellence to the coming generation and a
woman of substance who ensures Nigerian story is heard all over the world.
She's no doubt an ambassador of the Green Country and deserves our collective
praise and honor.
For those who haven’t read the book yet I recommend Americanah without equivocation. It is a
journey into the mind of a writer who has witnessed realities before and beyond
the seas and who explores the critical issues with whimsical language. Like the
writer once said in an interview after Purple
Hibiscus got published to critical acclaim, Nigerians don't appreciate
their own until validated by the US or Europeans. Well, US Critics Circle just awarded Americanah the book of the year; first
for a Nigerian and it calls for celebration. It is a testament to the merit of
the book; as a entertaining, educative, historical and cultural medium of art.
Go and read it for a lift.
Cheers!!
Aluta continua,
Wale Owoeye Esq.
