When was the last time you read an African love story? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest literary work, Americanah, explores the journey of a couple, Ifemelu and Obinze, whose love begins as young teenagers in Nigeria. Ifemelu leaves Nigeria to pursue further studies in the United States of America. The combination of distance, time and exposure to a different culture wreak havoc on her relationship. She struggles with depression and identity issues whilst studying abroad, choosing to ignore Obinze’s attempt to stay in touch. He changes too after leaving Nigeria for the U.K., working illegally and doing everything in his power not to get caught.
The themes of race, identity and hair are deeply dissected in this 477-page novel. Chimamanda documents those realities we see but shrug off or don’t even notice. For example, the African Americans joining the Black Student Union while the American Africans, for lack of a better label, join the African Student Association at university. African Americans judge Ifemelu for dating a white man, and keeping her hair natural. Nairobians had a chance to hear about the author’s feelings about hair, when Chimamanda came to Nairobi to celebrate Kwani Trust’s 10th anniversary in December 2013.
We watch as Ifemelu struggles for years to reconcile her old and new self. Between blogging, braiding her hair and stringing her smart African American boyfriend along, it becomes clear that she is very much her own woman who does not really like to face things which evoke strong emotions in her; like breaking up with boyfriends. After decades apart, countless mistakes and lessons learned between them, Ifemelu and Obinze must decide whether to try again or accept their new lives and loves. The book is long but worth spending some alone time reading.
This book teaches a lesson that love is love; whether in Lagos or London. If it’s still there even after many mistakes and after time has passed, experiencing idealistic love perfect love won’t matter, as having it will be enough.
Americanah has been published in East Africa by Kwani Trust. To purchase it locally, visit www.kwani.org
By Josephine Opar
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