Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - "Americanah" - International Authors' Stage

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in conversation with journalist Synne Rifbjerg on International Authors' Stage about her novel 'Americanah' on occasion of it's publication in Danish
The Black Diamond
The Royal Library
Copenhagen
19 May 2014
Video: www.videoakadem...
More videos and talks on www.densortedia...
(C) Det Kongelige Bibliotek / The Royal Library

[@AfroVibez]

Best part 'rich uncle who gives me pocket money but doesn't remember my name, that is what america is' . . . love that line

[@tretaylor86]

Pro founding line!

[@avonbellamy205]

I love this woman. When she comes after you, she comes after you with a scalpel and it is like watching a skilled surgeon cut out the cancer of racism and show it skillfully to the people who authored it.

[@MelbMKN]

One of the best writers in the world!

[@gigidz1]

One of the best interviews of Adichie, and this is thanks to the interviewer, her knowledge, sense of humor, good nature, bring out the best in Adichie ❤

[@eseomonhinmin]

This is awesome! So proud of you Chimamanda.. Love that fact that your are in love with your hair. I have gone natural now- really want to celebrate the African hair!! Who says your hair has to be straight to be acceptable/professional?

[@ogyaherd9667]

"Who says your hair has to be straight to be acceptable/professional?" a political capitalistic sociological system which wishes to diminish the efficacy of Blackness, of Africaness, of non-whiteness...

[@bemaniac2]

this interviewer is wonderful

[@mwaambigmbuui874]

Possibly owing to her ability to play the role of a compassionate interviewer and adoring "audience" all at the same time?

[@jamessoares129]

Reading “Americanah” currently and loving every page. What a brilliant lady, I’m so glad Danai Gurira is producing a show based on the book!

[@ValentineIbeka]

I was there live

[@koechchepkurui2208]

Chimamanda,I wish she knows how much she's changed my life.Am so changed,am so grown.

[@naomimaina3428]

Me too. Growth

[@wambuikamau5918]

Same here

[@mizafrikmizzy9351]

My woman crush nailed it always dodging up close uncomfortable questions ... Well interviewer cant be any better!!! Both women are strong personalities

[@obianujuikeaka9947]

I feel so connected to her, thankful for strong and smart Igbo women who we can admire and who our daughters can admire as well.

[@alexmaninga5447]

just read the book, what an amazing read......

[@cornerstone2012]

+Alex Maninga Chimamanda is a racist.

[@missmissy6739]

+cornerstone2012 girl bye, you have nothing intelligent to write.

[@kinky2002]

i love this woman , i do hope i would turn as great a writer she is

[@queenestherc-squared802]

You will, just keep persisting

[@maiteterblanche8364]

I enjoyed this interview. It was full of laughter and friendship.

[@lexie8516]

This is really the best one of all these interviews I've seen about Americanah. I don't think it's a coincidence too that it wasn't hosted in America. It just seems like a much more intellectually elevated conversation that comes with a sense of mutual understanding of how much the critique on American society resonates with outsiders looking on. The interviewer is so insightful and there were many little moments where you could see Ms Adichie really appreciating and respecting her commentary. Many little gems in this one. I thoroughly enjoyed it for the true appreciation of the masterful way Ms Adichie was able to craft this story. Im especially glad she mentioned the hair salon and the use of the blog...genius. It looks like really really wonderful evening that I wish I could have been a part of. Bravo.

[@MelbMKN]

I relate to a lot that's in the book it's actually "scary"...lol! From the black hair crisis, to relationships you wish you would feel different about, to not wanting some things as a woman but expected that you should, to constantly thinking abt that one great love it cripples you at times, homesickness, a longing for something unknown, "peculiar" comments abt Africa from people who think they "know" Africa, accent woes...I love all things #Americanah...wish I would meet her in person.

[@theduke6174]

Synne Rifbjerg was so genuine during this interview

[@adelingasana3549]

As an African-born American (in the East African tradition) I absolutely admire and applaud the work that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is doing with her writing, public speaking, and her intellectual activism. She shines light on a marginalized group of people particularly African immigrants living in the West while raising awareness on key societal realities like women's issues, racism, classism, etc. All these pursuits that she mostly pens in her writing helps push the conversation forward on important subject matter on an engrossing, educational, didactic, and creatively, thought-provoking platform. With all that aside--I do have some criticisms to her writing. Having read her 2007 novel, "Half of A Yellow Sun", and her 2014 novel, "Americanah" I feel in many ways she's overly ambitious in her writing. While her characters in her books are, indeed, multi-dimensional and complex where Adichie does a good job in articulating their worlds and way of life, the multi-part narratives isn't constructive for a novel and, in many ways, confounds her overall message. Concision is tantamount to good writing. By eliminating verbosity and any loose tangents concision establishes clarity and lucidity to the morale of the story. Plus, its clean and organized in its structure--which in no way means a novel needs to be predictable and boring. Five-hundred pages is way too long for a novel and while both novels "Half of A Yellow Sun" (543 pages) and "Americanah" (588 pages) doesn't really stray off on a tangent it does bring in multiple major and minor characters to ongoing storylines mixed in with various themes that often leaves the reader confused and misguided to the original story arc itself. Simplicity is not only important in writing a novel for a wide market of readers because of sales it is vital in getting at the point of why the story is even being penned in the first place. There's no need to pack in all important subject matter and topics in one respectful novel. Leave your reader time to breathe, think, and reflect. If we are writing a nonfiction book that's a whole different thing in terms of concision. I felt after reading both novels that the story is so ongoing that it probably wouldn't really end--which was exactly the feeling I had afterwards. Both novels could really keep going in introducing new themes one after the other with no conclusion or closure. And, what great writer would not want one heck of a conclusion to their story? "Half of A Yellow Sun" which was the better-written book, in my opinion, was essentially a 3-person narrative in the backdrop of the Biafra War (Nigerian Civil War) during the mid-to-late 1960s. The three main characters are written simultaneously in chapter breaks from each other. Along the way, however, the timelines change and the story is no longer moving in chronological order, until later, it does again. Since this is Adichie's writing style--due to it also employed in her later novel "Americanah" I felt confounded as to where she is leading me as the reader. Her topics of love, war, violence, lessons in history, national identity, tribal/ethnic identity, patriotism, parenting, sexual expression, and so on gets lost in its juxtaposition constantly being inter-weaved in and out with no sense of understanding why and what to get at in context to the building of the story. Less is more--whether we are writing a novel, a screenplay for film, a teleplay for television, a script for stage-acting, or even an outline for a documentary film. Adichie should take one topic and one character and ride with it. For "Half of A Yellow Sun" I thought the character of Ugwu, the houseboy, as he goes through a loss of innocence during the war was far more intriguing of a storyline in development than the other two characters. Adichie could break each character down into their own respected novels as a series-part on the Biafra War, for example. Concision, in this case, is not only your friend but can save you and ensure a timeless legacy--if done well. As far as "Americanah" is concerned--again, a loose soap opera novel consisting of multiple themed-storylines with varying minor characters where the two major characters as part of a romantic entanglement carries the narrative over a time-frame spanning more than a decade. Plus, the blog entries that summed up the end of most of the chapters felt like the entire book was written as a freestyle, op-ed piece on race, hair, national identity, an immigrant experience in the U.S. and U.K., and more, which, really belongs more to the blogosphere than anywhere else.

[@mwaambigmbuui874]

Wow! Thank you so much, Ndugu AG, for your most thoughtful observations, coupled with greatly constructive criticism. All in all, CA is a phenomenal author and sister.

[@euniceokoye6472]

And you should also take same corrections you give, make your work simple for a wider read and reduce verbosity. I bet a lot couldn't read that

[@Dude-dx5ns]

Your observations were accurate in my opinion, but your "speech" was unnecessarily verbose, which is ironical because you expect Chimamanda to be laconic.

[@mopefasakin]

I don't think you took your own advise because this is not concise and simple. Your comment is almost as long as a chapter. I stopped at sales. Do you have any idea the value of "half a yellow sun"? And do you know what it sought to capture? Read up "There was a country" by Chinua Achebe for balance.

[@nkechiogulu2704]

Only that data is expensive in these country am sure I will always be on you tube watching chimamada all day. I love almost everything about her. Thank you for making my night

[@chinezeuwalaka]

I love Chimamanda so very much ... l’m Nigerian and I love the way the story ended with Obinze marrying his true love and happy for Ifemelu..but in typical Nigerian life might not be a likely end.

[@Rachidasister]

I am not Nigerian (East-African) but I am very proud this woman is an African!

[@TheAtozed]

Loved the ending but felt sorry for Obinze's wife and children 😢😞

[@togotiger2961]

Happy ending for Obinze. But sad and depressive ending for Kosi and her child Bushi

[@MissNatalonga]

One of my role models. Love you Chimamanda!

[@tinaa3459]

It's so sweet.. Like 2 good friends talking

[@empressnyamvula3691]

Really😳😳😳😳

[@jeanmonicawilliams-smith7827]

👌! She has found her fierce! Great pair, do not despair! Very warm, graceful young woman with Tremendous Genius! Great Role Model among many! However, she has a lot more to give! Receive Chimmimanda Adechie! Love her! 🥰

[@fakadak1]

Oh my god I love her so much I want to cry

[@lexie8516]

I actually did cry in a few parts. As a Caribbean black woman, this representation of immigration, race, hair, love... Its just everything

[@claudiajames4402]

What class and poise this woman has

[@msKBrightside1]

I must say that Chimamanda Adichie is a role model for me! Such a beautiful, intelligent woman!

[@rodgersmukimba1159]

I like her powerful voice

[@bensonobialo9654]

@@rodgersmukimba1159 .. nok

[@bensonobialo9654]

Fryūťkoopoiuuy M

[@LilySteph1949]

Me too

[@chinezeuwalaka]

One of the best interviews with Chimamanda... love you loads

[@rekhavannam3112]

Such a lovely soul, loved the way she narrates and relates her bit to the words.

[@lebengm1]

'If Michelle had natural hair...." I love this woman.

[@Mop222]

But are those braids all her hair?

[@gracestannard7594]

@@Mop222 that's not her point. Braiding is a part of traditional African culture, whereas relaxing and straightening black hair so as to make it 'not natural' is a result of western beauty standards.

[@caracas787]

Why on earth would the interviewer mention "Beyonce" when interviewing a lady of such wonderful intellect.

[@MrCecilia1990]

+Philip Lewis i had a problem with that too. She has a name for herself, she does nt need to be remembered by beyonce's song although i love bey, but i just thought it diminished her .

[@Ginger6075]

I guess it's because Ifemelu mentions Beyoncé on her blog:)

[@tochi8262]

Chimamanda is very mentally strong. That little remark could've put her off if she wasn't.

[@kiwidreams3]

Beyoncé used part of one of Chimamanda’s speech in her song. So actually it was Beyoncé that used Ms Adichie’s words and her intelligent fame. So Beyoncé is the user.

[@Nelly1013]

I know..I can't stand Beyonce caucasians always want to put successful black women in a shallow box..many black women care about intellect not music and Beyonce

[@obiapunamichael]

This is classic Chimamanda, very articulate and precise.

[@christopherchukwujekwu281]

does she really read d comments? if yes I want to tell her she has made us proud in promoting our culture and who we are. need to bring it more home like our father and uncle Achebe

[@PHlophe]

Chuks , this is a woman who writes for living . she probably doesn't have enough time to read and parse every comment online.

[@nonsoandre2405]

Both women are so incredibly talented and humorous.

[@aqueenchinwe9447]

very educated,classic & talented writer.

[@shjakes]

I'm coming to the end of this riveting book that engaged every emotion in my being. The love-hate for Ifemelu was real!! But the most memorable and celebratory aspect of this book is that it provides an objective insight into contemporary Black life. Ifemelu's blogs get to the heart of the matter...

[@ABeautifulMess101]

Such an amazing woman🖤I definitely want to hear her E-book.

[@rjgood2852]

I’m here in 2019... I loved this ❤️

[@vernaholworthy9997]

Miss Adichie is so well groomed and has changed perspectives on wooly hair. Hair for Coloured woman is a big thing. We coaxed and teased to make our hair sleek. Hair straighteners were really much the in thing. Thank you ma'am.

[@SikiDlanga]

Once I got over the interviewer's terrible opening about "Beyonce," I actually quite enjoyed the two of them. They really enjoyed themselves and have such a cute chemistry. Also the obvious culture difference that allows her to say things that make me want to cringe but have to allow her to say them the way she does and Chimamanda also does not cringe. They are an interesting pair. Very insightful as a result and interesting.

[@lilacat511]

Agreed, I just wish someone taught them how to pronounce the name of the protagonist in her book. Isn't it I-FEM-elu, not Efe-ME-Lu?

[@pointa2b388]

Yah, the Jesus story, am watching in 2021

[@mosesboateng454]

I love Chimamanda. She's knowledgeable.

[@jgonziw]

Ive enjoyed the conversation. Great questions and emphaty of the journalist.

[@phallant5919]

The sweetest interview I have ever seen … two very kind ladies!

[@mohamedmoussa7777]

Salam I

[@B4BESS]

CHIMAMANDA is brilliant, kind, naughty and I love her.

[@hectornegron9155]

I love that sort of subtle sense of humor Ms Synne Rifbjerg displays.

[@d4rllingg344]

I love you Chimamanda!

[@Empathrepublic]

When she said Jesus wasn't black, she held her tongue

[@esosaede-obarogie3125]

Another wonderful interview from a very wonderful woman.

[@eliciaabrahams8442]

Chimamanda you are a true image of an Igbo lady You are very intelligent and confident in communicating the truth. You are a great writer and you write with a wealth of knowledge. I love to listen to you all the time. This interview is so captivating.

[@warilaetamaraye8712]

I love this two women, ngozi and the interviewer, great women!

[@AbrahamIdrisHibties]

Chimamanda has a lot of interesting good characters. Her senses of humor is quite amazing. She reminds of PRINCE.

[@belindafrench2892]

I could listen to Chimamanda for hours. She is a complete education and yet there is room to think for yourself. She speaks to all women

[@Dglenn11]

LOVE!

[@simiwaiye]

Wow this is really great to hear you speak about your book!

[@melodeew.j.7762]

Ms. Adichie was so fluid in her conversational skills it showed level of intellectual ability to marry common sense with learned reasoning. The comment of Obama being Jesus Christ and the reply that he was black and therefore couldn't be. Is the ubiquitous concept that the global white reality is the only reality despite coming to knowing in this present time that is not reality yet still is referenced as so.

[@pointa2b388]

I love the interviewer

[@ingridslipsager9199]

I like this interview very much in Copenhagen

[@enricobortolazzo2651]

What a fantastic interview!

[@larry548997]

"Beautifull Sadness"... the signs of a wordsmith

[@leroyjackson4670]

A very Beautiful Lady I'am extremely excited to know of her I wish for her many Blessings and much more success I her life.

[@virgomusic9496]

An Archangel blessings!

[@johngichuki4092]

Top notch, brilliant gal!

[@patriciakomuhangi6010]

Chimamanda makes me.proudl to be an African woman

[@chinwenduangela7440]

I really love you ma. Keep it up

[@siyandasiwela6537]

I'm in love

[@ChigozieJohnson-dd4li]

My role model

[@LofiReadingMusic]

Hilarious! Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie never fails to entertain with her witty and insightful commentary. It's fascinating to hear her speak about the inspiration behind 'Americanah' and how she navigated the complexities of race and identity. If you don't have time to watch the whole video, don't worry - we've got you covered with our audio summary. Tune in to hear the highlights of this thought-provoking conversation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/maablIapn75srq8

[@patriciadaramola5501]

Y did I find it hilarious wen she broke out in Danish doe 😂😂 but on a more serious note I think I just may b a feminist because of this woman very inspiring and I've found a wonderful amount of enlightenment with just her speeches keep up the good work Chimamanda

[@marialuizarossettocorrea1135]

americanah foi um dos livros mais bem escritos que eu já li

[@peterchristianpaulin2216]

What kind of bizarre intro? Beyonce!?

[@me45116]

That because Beyoncé use a line from Chimamanda's Ted lecture in one in her songs.

[@SikiDlanga]

so so so bizarre!

[@Love25648]

Siki Dlanga IKR

[@larry548997]

Everyone one is missing it. The intro is because she (chima) has become a very popular author... just like beyonce is very popula in the music world

[@nomondefoli2731]

That's what I thought too. Then I realised its just another mellow stereo type and racist behavior where one among many successful and intelligent women would symbolize all brown or black woman.

[@jfancycraftltd4438]

You inspire me

[@togotiger2961]

Happy ending for Obinze... but sad & depressive ending for Kosi & her child Bushi

[@MrLoaded2012]

Such an interesting woman.

[@joebarriga-9945]

The difference is that African Americans were next to the Scotch -Irish peoples. And chronic daily racism.As an immigrant American, i say: When i got to america ,it really blew my mind. And 60 yrs later, still does,

[@echoskirmish5203]

who isn't in love with Obinze

[@Chicflava]

"how many women are silent about what they are thinking?"

[@kentara_excelsior]

Chimamanda...... *hearts*

[@zumba536]

Amazing book

[@rebeccamamora3915]

Am I the only one who found the language very funny 😂😂😂

[@virgomusic9496]

Her natural hair and her fake hair both are beautiful. The use of the artificial hair is just like a work uniform. There's not any matter! She's cut and wise. She's a good person.

[@abdelazeezsobh6899]

Adichie is in a unique position to compare racial hierarchies in the United States with social effort in her native Nigeria. She does this in this new job with a ruthless honesty about the ugly and beautiful sides of both nations. Americanah (Novel) Book By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (PDF-Book-Summary-Review-Online Reading-Download): www.toevolution.com/file/view/636395/americanah-novel-book-by-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-pdf-book-summary-review-online-reading-download

[@onuigbogabriel9082]

❤

[@sababurger]

This is an awesome book about race, Africans abroad and at home yet with a surprising Western ending! I suppose that it why it is called Americanah. The end certainly made me realize why some people are polygamous. It would have been more noble for Obinze to take Ifemelu as a second wife than to abandon his wife and child whom he had he made vows to just because Ifemelu decided to move back to Lagos and pick up their old relationship.

[@shapisaifield9266]

I think ifemelu would have never accepted being a second wife - she couldn’t even stand the idea of him being with his wife when he wasn’t with her

[@cathykaeshow7779]

I want to be like her soon

[@frayserken]

As East African I agree

[@mariazapata5064]

Mmm 🤔! Ms. Adichie reminds me so much of Olanna in Half of a Yellow Sun

[@thatwritingchick1]

Hello. I have an online book club and would like permission to repost this fabulous video.

[@kongeligebibliotek]

Hi Kesha Thank you for your interest in our video. You are welcome to share our video with credit! Good luck with your book club. Best regards, Uffe, Royal Danish Library

[@thatwritingchick1]

Will do. Thank you and thank you :)

[@affiapeace7007]

Point of correction she is a Nigerian American author not the other way round.

[@johnnwako2488]

No - she's a Nigerian and Igbo writer, who lives in the US and Nigeria, and who's a Nigerian citizen.

[@coutz64]

It’s interesting to hear 2 non Americans pontificate about what Americans think and feel.

[@stevearmborst7268]

🙌☀️

[@user-sp1vk7gq1o]

How can I get the book please help

[@kilenshi]

Basically, she said she starts off with a good point and unable to follow through with logic. So, just speak what comes to mind and stop trying to present yourself or your idea with some sense of higher superiority. This is why you she keeps getting stuck, after she's made a very good point. Speak up and let it flow. No need for fancy words.

[@empressnyamvula3691]

Best selling award winning author her readers range from Oprah, Obama's to international acclaim. It seems that her logic serves her well???

[@krishnarajbastola50]

Like

[@chacmool2581]

Is it just me or is it indeed odd that the first topic that this African intellectual and this Dane woman, while both in Denmark, chose to discuss is the United States?

[@diouranke]

👍

[@prospektarty1513]

Danish sounds very much like a northern English dialect. It has the same rhythmic patterns as English more or less.

[@nasb2218]

It sounds like a swedish guy throwing some dutch and german words in his sentences. "I'm native dutch tho lol"

[@save_theworld]

I thought it was Dutch.

[@empressnyamvula3691]

Beyonce really😳😳😳😳 in what context is she parallel 2 this sista????

[@lurlinethompson9988]

What is the problem with Black? Black is Gold.

[@gilbertcharley423]

Ahh ahh with speed

[@kentesdaughter9927]

Danish is not a very romantic language. Sheesh!

[@barbarak5951]

Nuffy Fluffy it's traumatizing...Swedish is better.

[@LuckyLucky-xp2sz]

Very rude on your part. I not Danish but an African from West Africa but I think tha is absolutely not right.

[@noshkainteriors66]

As an Algerian living in Sweden i beg to differ, beauty is subjective and the beauty of language is no difference danish is beautiful in its own way

[@boikanyonkoane9132]

[@oakstgorillas]

do they have such ignorant interviewers to bring the conversation down to the most simplistic level so everyone can feel they participated? you know “the Bill Moyers way”.

[@vernaholworthy9997]

Did the interviewee say Jesus wasnt black? Who would know?