Life...The Vivere

ARTFUL READERS CLUB 

HALF OF A YELLOW SUN  

BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE 

JULY 31, 2015

It's time again for my monthly book review for Art and Sole's ARTFUL READERS CLUB. For July, I'm reviewing "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adihie. 

The book gets its title from the flag of the short-lived, independent nation of Biafra. After 2 1/2 years of civil war to gain independence from Nigeria, millions of civilians died from fighting and from famine. Biafra existed from May 30, 1967 to January 15, 1970. It has since been reintegrated into the Nigerian nation.

HALF OF A YELLOW SUN is a story about the birth and life of Biafra. Before reading this book, I didn't know much about the small country... what I knew came from photojournalism- LIFE MAGAZINE pictures, primarily. Biafra was a synonym for starvation, hunger and misery. 

But the book isn't only about war... war with its horror is scenery for a story of love, loyalty, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and fight for survival. It's a universal story placed in a particular historical context! It's a HUMAN story, bringing to life the different layers of Nigerian society, giving them back their African identity and heritage while telling how it was snatched away. War cuts across class, gender and race...the privileged Igbo woman (the second largest ethnic group, living in southeastern Nigeria,) the Igbo houseboy from the village, the white Englishman in love with Igbo art. Three primary voices for this story, three hearts broken by the grief of a war from which they were somewhat protected: Olanna by her family's wealth, Ugwu by the status and resources of his employers and Richard, by being a white foreigner. Yet, their hearts were all exposed and vulnerable...HUMAN!

I was totally unprepared for the force of this story about the birth of little-known Biafra...how the impact of the awful reality of these years would affect me, loving Africa as I do. The realization that this struggle has been repeated over and over throughout the "dark continent"...throughout the world... and continues to happen. It was searing, raw and unforgettable...a highly recommended read!

Thanks for stopping by. Please join me for my next regular posting.

Big Hugs,

abbyj