Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

★★★☆☆|☆☆
“Maybe it’s time to just scrap the word “racist.” Find something new. Like Racial Disorder Syndrome. And we could have different categories for sufferers of this syndrome: mild, medium, and acute.”
Timestamps and links below the fold ↓
0:00 Introduction
0:12 Summary
0:41 Review
1:06 A novel of two halves
1:25 Nigerian culture
2:29 Blackness in America
3:42 Ifemelu's blog
4:38 Getting westerners to read about other cultures
5:49 African American vs American African
7:46 Immigration
9:16 Goodbye
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📚 / charlotte-dann
🌟 / charlotte_dann

[@tejirioru]

I’ve been a fan of yours for quite some time Charlotte. Being Nigerian, I think you’ve done a brilliant review on this book. Remarkable!

[@RalfMtr]

As a person born in a so called “Third world” country”; I found that a lot of situations, a lot of feelings, a lot of doubts, a lot of affirmations, a lot of thoughts... are mine too. Even more, there are so many foods and recipes that happens to be sooo alike, not to say the same (with different names and slightly different ingredients of course); that it was the first time I got to the conclusion that the African heritage and its roots run deep within to the very foundation of our society. I presented this to my book club and it was a blast. Lots of similarities as well and tons of anecdotes. Thank you for the video, it was very illustrating. I apologize for my bad English.

[@isangisang3704]

Hello, noble fellow. Humans generally, have a common culture---We all put on clothes to clad ourselves from being naked, now that's a way of life that is common to all and sundry. We all breathe the selfsame air in and out our nostrils, again this is another common cultural phenomenon that is placed amongst us all or is it the blood that runs through our veins? Even those from royal ancestry who are known to be blue-blooded, yet literally their bloods are but reddish in pigmentation. To say but the least. Are these not enough reason that we all are brothers ? From same source of life ? Why this wanton discriminations and loathe? Perhaps, Language? Is LOVE not enough language common to us all ? So many questions begging for answers. Ralf I am your brother and your English is not bad. ❤️❤️❤️✊

[@5pctLowBattery]

As a Jamaica living in America since 1990, she read me on this… CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE: So this post is titled "To My Fellow Non-American Blacks, in America, You are Black, Baby." Dear Non-American Black, when you make the choice to come to America, you become black. Stop arguing. Stop saying I'm Jamaican or I'm Ghanaian. America doesn't care.

[@FlyingElectra]

I have read it years ago, when it was published. I'm French but lived in the US for a few years and where I live in France, we have African immigrants but first generation and I know how different they are from Black Americans. So I really enjoyed this book. I also liked the fact that she doesn't try to make Ifemelu too nice. I really enjoy Nigerian authors.

[@isangisang3704]

I am pleased to hear your lips sing praises to our African literature pieces. You were not wrong when you said you enjoy Nigerian authors. We paint words like art on a frame. Thank you, Noble sire.

[@yeipyengkwa4729]

The fact that she didn’t make Ifemelu nice was my favorite thing about the book.

[@bluebamboomusic6882]

I thought your point about Americans needing cultural discussion, regarding foreign countries, to be stepped at least somewhat in American culture, or at least in comparison to it, was pretty interesting. I've found that, obviously, people find ideas easier to grasp if it is told at least partially from their point of view, or the point of view of something they already understand, but Americans seem to need that grounding for ideas more so. I have a few friends from both America and Japan, and despite the multi-cultural nature of America, compared to Japan which is a very isolated country, my Japanese friends seem to be able to grasp cultural differences on a deeper level.

[@bluebamboomusic6882]

also, i can't vouch for it myself, but I've been told about a book which actually has 3 illegal immigrants as main characters called the Zombie Room.

[@nomthandazotshabalala219]

I love your honesty it's refreshing

[@myfirstnovel]

I read Americanah 3 years ago and I do think the two halves are more about Adichie's own experience since she lived in the US a lot, she could talk to both countries and cultures as a result (rather than an attempt to secure US readers). I "admired" this book tremendously but did not "like" Ifemelu, I would get annoyed with her and there went the empathy... I should try reading it again so I can figure out why. My boyfriend (of 20 years) is Nigerian and I would ask him to explain at times, it made for intriguing conversations and isn't that the best outcome of reading a novel ;)

[@alisonbell3475]

Fantastic review so many varied thoughts just subscribed. 😊

[@effa2985]

Well balanced review.

[@francissemazzi1530]

So which relationship do you think made more sense in quality. What she had with Blaine or what she had with Curt

[@HGsoul4ever]

This was so interesting.

[@baileybetik]

I think you'd really enjoy reading White Teeth by Zadie Smith if you haven't!

[@therealkatodm]

Really informative review! I've got Americanah on my shelf, might actually pick it up next (and watch your review again afterwards)

[@HGsoul4ever]

Nigerian here, there are distinct differences. There’s a disconnect and a lot of ignorance on both sides between African Americans and American Africans.

[@HGsoul4ever]

To be fair, it was written in 2013 and at the time, things concerning race hadn’t evolved to what they are now.

[@candiceemrani6439]

Sorry, did you say 13 or 30 years in the US?

[@mazzelsammy]

13

[@madelinedixon1056]

You saying you feel as if you empathize with racism in America, there for feel less enthralment with that half of the story is problematic. Its is like saying you feel as if you are not a racist, there for do not have to be mindful of your privilege. You in short said that any leasons a black person in America has to teach you, you have already learned. I understand now why you feel uncomfortable touching on this subject matter, as you should, because you touched on it quite poorly.

[@CJReads]

such a lovely, informative review. thank you!

[@sihlembita4203]

She’s so scared to talk about race. 😭

[@isangisang3704]

How so ? I mean, she is a fighter against racial oppression and gender inequality. So I don't get it when you said she's scared to talk about these things. Or have you not smelt her sword?

[@kinglioneldo7379]

I enjoyed the book. But I wished the story ended other way. Obinze should have stayed with his wife, despite his "feeling" for Ifemelu.

[@florastevenson8628]

WOW TBANKS FOR THIS CONTENT BETTXHHXHXHXC