Half of a Yellow Sun

I just finished reading 'Half of a Yellow Sun' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
I got to know about the author when I was pointed to a wonderful TED talk she gave about feminism (KB, I can't thank you enough for introducing this great person into my life). Since then I have watched many other of her speeches and interviews, and I have been growing increasingly fond of her wisdom, fairness and firmness of her position. Ms. Adichie has become one of my role models.
But there was one thing still lacking – up until today I hadn't read any of her literary works, the works she is famous for. Her books were not easy to find in Russia but some time ago, by sheer serendipity, I got my hands on 'Half of a Yellow Sun' and 'Americanah'. I decided to start with the former.

I expected a lot from the book. And I have to say, not only has it fulfilled my expectations – this novel is so much more than I anticipated. An important, poignant story, something people should know and never forget, an all-encompassing encyclopedia of human emotions, ranging from love and lust to the ravages of the war. This I guess is a perfect example of what Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie herself calls 'emotional truth of fiction', the driving force behind 'humanizing history'.

In addition to being a great book, a masterpiece that will nourish my new-found thirst for reading, for me 'Half of a Yellow Sun' is also a source of inspiration urging me to study the history of Nigeria and other African countries, to eradicate my ignorance that naturally comes from living in the part of the world where African voices are barely heard, to avoid 'the danger of a single story'. I recommend this book to everyone, and I'm sure you will find a lot to enjoy and learn.

[Originally posted on Facebook on November 14, 2014]