Book 1: 3 September 2008
Set in Nigeria in the late 1960’s, “Half a Yellow Sun” follows the interweaving tales of its protagonists as their worlds are shaken by onset of the bloody civil struggle that became the Biafran War. From their comfortable, middle class lives, Odenigbo, a firebrand academic, Olanna, his partner from a powerful Nigerian family, and their houseboy Ugwu are thrown into the horrors and deprivations of civil war and are forced to question their own responses to the unfolding political events. Their stories are mirrored in the complicated relationship which forms between Richard, a writer from England, and Kainene, Olanna’s enigmatic twin sister.
The novel examines the devastating effects of war not only on character and relationships but also society in the wider sense, raising questions of moral responsibility, race, class and the legacy of colonialism in Africa.
“Half a Yellow Sun” followed the success of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s acclaimed first novel, “Purple Hibiscus”, winning the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2007. Described as “a major new African voice” by the Independent, the novel was praised for its “engaging characters” (Sunday Times) and the “rich poetry” of Adichie’s language (Telegraph) as well as for its re-examination of a brutal and bloody episode of post-colonial history. In fact, try as I might, I have not been able to unearth an uncomplimentary review! High praise indeed. See what you think…
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