Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It is the story of Ifemelu, a beautiful Nigerian girl who leaves military-ruled Nigeria for America and leaves behind Obinze, the love of her life. It is about her experience as a non-American black woman in America, which she begins to blog about. Obinze is not granted a visa for America, but goes instead to London and lives the life of an illegal immigrant there, until they both eventually end up back in Nigeria.
Ngozi Adichie's writing is current, intelligent and beautiful; she explores themes of race, identity, culture, family, community, love. Her characters are so completely drawn, I had a hard time saying good-bye to them at the end of the book, I was totally caught up in their story.
A highly recommended read.
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