“Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria) Synopsis In 1960s Nigeria, three lives intersect. Ugwu works as a houseboy for a university professor. Olanna has abandoned her life of privilege in Lagos to live with her charismatic lover, the lecturer. And Richard, a shy Englishman, is in thrall to Olanna’s enigmatic twin sister. Amongst the horror of Nigeria’s civil war, loyalties are … Continue reading Half of a Yellow Sun
“Second-Class Citizen” by Buchi Emecheta (Nigeria) Review Most readers enjoyed the book, finding the story very touching and inspiring. They liked the protagonist Adah whom they found both naïve and strong. The descriptions of her life, first in Nigeria growing up, then in London as a young mother and wife, were realistic and effective. The secondary characters were both funny and horrendous at times. Readers … Continue reading Second-Class Citizen
“How Many Miles To Babylon?” by Jennifer Johnston (Ireland) Review Readers described “How Many Miles To Babylon?” as a beautiful book and most of them were moved by the friendship between Alec and Jerry. Through the author’s rich use of dialogue, they were able to visualise the different characters and the sceneries with ease. They found both the descriptions of the Irish countryside and the … Continue reading How Many Miles To Babylon?
“Matigari” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o (Kenya) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Synopsis Who is Matigari? Is he young or old? Dead or living… or even Jesus Christ? These are the questions asked by the people when a man who has survived a war for independence emerges from the mountains. Matigari is in search of his family, the rebuilding of … Continue reading Matigari
“Sleepwalking Land” by Mia Couto (Mozambique) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Extract and Comment It isn’t the story which fascinates him, but the spirit within it. And listening to Tuahir’s dreams, with the noises of war in the background, he begins to think: they should invent a gentle, more affable gunpowder, capable of exploding men without killing them. … Continue reading Sleepwalking Land
“The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov (Russia) One of Nicola’s 100 Best Books for Inspiration in the 21st century! Book Club Favourite of Season 6 Review Members of the Book Club were unanimous in their appreciation of this novel. They found it funny and philosophical. They loved the descriptions of the many incidents that happen and they liked the different characters, though most found … Continue reading The Master and Margarita
“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe (Nigeria) Review Members of the Book Club enjoyed the book immensely. They felt great sympathy for the main character, Okonkwo, who grapples with his determination not to be like his weak father. Some readers felt they could relate to this desire to be the opposite of a despised parent and the danger this obsession represents. They liked the language … Continue reading Things Fall Apart
“The Woman in the Dunes” by Kobo Abe (Japan) Review The first impressions of members of the Book Club were very mixed: some liked the book, whereas some did not like it all! They found the situation the protagonist finds himself in very depressing. The repetitive shovelling of sand daily made them think about the absurdity and seeming futility of life. His acceptance of the … Continue reading The Woman in the Dunes
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