Americanah: by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Summary & Analysis

By . IRB Media

Inside this Instaread Summary & Analysis of Americanah:

• Summary of book

• Introduction to the Important People in the book

• Analysis of the Themes and Author’s Style

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jan 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781944195625

. IRB Media

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Summary

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie chronicles the lives and relationships of two young Nigerians named Ifemelu and Obinze, and explores the culture of the United States from an African perspective. The novel considers issues of race and  the complexities of love, family, friendship, and romantic relationships in the United States.

Ifemelu was raised by her parents in Lagos, a city in Nigeria. Her mother is a religious fanatic and her religiously indifferent father has strong opinions about the United States. Ifemelu has a close relationship with her Aunty Uju, her father’s sister, who acted as a big sister or even motherly figure to Ifemelu throughout her younger years. Aunty Uju was the mistress of The General, a military official who impregnated her, but died after their son Dike turned one year old. After The General’s death, Aunty Uju moved to the United States to raise Dike and start a new life.

In secondary school, Ifemelu meets and falls in love with Obinze, whom she affectionately calls Ceiling in reference to an intimate sexual experience they share. They date through secondary school and during their time at the university in Nsukka. However, since teachers keep going on strike, their education proceeds slowly, and Ifemelu eventually decides to move to the United States to continue her studies there. She moves in with Aunty Uju in Brooklyn and forms a close bond with her young cousin