B.O.A.S Rating – 5/5

I saved the best for last! Americanah was the only remaining book by Chimamanda that I had not read. The book is longer than all her others and the story more intricate.

We follow the lives of Ifem and Obinze from High school sweethearts, to University and then to the point of their divergence. Divided into sections, we delve into their separate lives in the US, UK and then finally back where we started off.

The book explores themes that remain relevant today. Those of race, and racism outside of Africa. And puts forth some interesting arguments of how when you step off a plane in Lagos, ‘race ceases to exist’. Other powerful ideas discussed are those of depression, marriage, female ambition and society’s proclivity to wealth and status.

I also found it clever that Chimamanda had her heroine, Ifem, actually experience the life of being a mistress. Something that she was judgemental about when it came to Aunty Uju and Ranyinudo.

This book was amazing. Worth all the hype. I am seriously looking forward to the TV/Movie adaptation and hope they do a better job than they did with Half of a Yellow Sun (still salty on that one, hahaha).