Book review : Purple hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Coincidentally I am reviewing books by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi back to back. I actually read this book way back and have been meaning to review it.

This story is told through the eyes of Kambili, who at the time is 15 years old, a daughter of a wealthy religious businessman.

A lot of themes are explored in this book like, religion, domestic violence, and family but one theme that stood out for me in this book was "discipline".

This stood out for me the most because it seems to be a recurring thing in most African households no matter which part of the continent you are from.

It seems my generation and the one before know discipline more than love and nurturing from our parents, and somehow we can not tell them apart. By just observing and conversing with my peers it seems we are raised to be excellent and shun away from failure, not because failure is a bad thing but, because it is just not acceptable at home, it is outside the norm. This book explores this in the most beautiful and relatable way.

As the book goes on we then see Kambili tasting freedom and finding her voice, falling in love for the first time and more than anything going on a journey of liberation from everything she was raised to be and expected to become.

I hope you go and read this book, it has resonated with me so much more especially as an African child.

Thank you for catching up with me, over this book

-Arehone