I love Adichie’s writing. Both Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun got 4.5 star ratings from me, and her book of short stories will get the same. I started this book only intending to read one story for Nigerian Independence Day, encouraged by Amy from Amy Reads. Then it ran into four stories, then all but two, then today I finished the final two. I’m a little bit sad, though, because now I’ve read all of her works. I’ve heard that her next novel will be about the Nigerian immigrant experience in America, and I’m wholly looking forward to it!
Some of the stories in this book focus on just that, while others are set in Nigeria. I loved all of them. Many of them are sad and even tragic, but I always feel as though I’m right there with the characters. I felt for the family whose son strayed from the law and his family upbringing, the sister who lives with an unbearable guilt, and the mother whose son was killed because of her husband’s outspoken stance about the government.
It’s always difficult to define great writing, but it’s also very recognizable when one experiences it. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is definitely a master storyteller, and I believe she will be just as revered as Achebe is, not only in Nigeria, but in the entire world — if she isn’t already.
2009, 218pp.
I’ve only read a single short story by Adiche and it was marvelous. After reading this review, I feel like digging through the shelves. I know I’ve got a copy of Purple Hibiscus somewhere. Thanks for the inspiration. I’m reading The Education of a British-Protected Child by Chinua Achebe (essays), even though I missed Amy’s challenge. It’s fascinating.
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Thanks for the review! I loved Half of a Yellow Sun and have this one on my shelf – plan to read it soon. I saw Adichie speak and read from her work at the Southbank Centre a couple of years ago and she was as interesting in real life as she is on the page!
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I have this on my iPod, but don’t have any plans to listen to it any time soon. However, your post is encouraging.
I didn’t remember that this was a collection of short stories. Actually, I’m not sure if I ever knew that. Either way, I’m glad you loved it and that I have it.
It’s hard to stop reading when you launch yourself into a collection of stories by an author whose longer works you’ve previously enjoyed. I really try to spread stories out when I read them (because my reading memory is bad enough as it is, and they all blur together for me), but in such a case, it’s as though I feel compelled to read on.
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I loved both, Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun as well. However, this collection of short stories fell a little short for me. I didn’t get the sense of closure at the end of each story, and some of the things that happened just didn’t make sense. An Arranged Marriage comes to mind when I say that.
I think that boils down to me not really being able to appreciate short stories as much as I’d like to. I do look forward to her next novel though.
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[...] 1morechapter reviewed The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimanada Ngozi Adichie [...]
[...] 1morechapter: It’s always difficult to define great writing, but it’s also very recognizable when one experiences it. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is definitely a master storyteller, and I believe she will be just as revered as Achebe is, not only in Nigeria, but in the entire world — if she isn’t already. [...]