Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of Purple Hibiscus, will read from her new book, Half of a Yellow Sun, and talk about her writings at The Jazzhole, Thursday 11th of January, 5-7pm.

I know she's a genius, but are you sure we're not over-celebrating her?
What if she's capable of so much more than what we've seen from her so far? (Just thinking).

Seun,
I can bet you that most of the people commenting on her novels here have not even read a single chapter of any of her novels or short stories.

The intellectual ignorance and hypocrisy among most Nigerians online and offline make them to continue to wallow in intellectual illiteracy while posing and posturing in shallow impressionism.

Reminder: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of bestselling novel, Purple Hibiscus, reads @ The Jazzhole,168 Awolowo Rd, Ikoyi,Thursday 11th January, 5-7pm.

Seun if you have ever read any of Chimamnda's novels and short stories you'll agree that she deserves every single accolade she has gotten. As a graduate of English and literature, i can attest to the fact that there is a huge dearth of literary talent in our generation and as such every talented writer out there deserves to be encouraged in order for that talent to be nurtured and groomed properly. I can assure you that if you read any of her books ( i recommend Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun), you'll understand that the so-called hype about her is for a very good reason. if you're still not impressed then more's the pity 'cuz it'll be clear that you obviously constitute the vast majority of Nigerians who are suffering from "intellectual illiteracy", no pun intended.

I called her a "genius", didn't I? She's a great storyteller, no doubt about that (based on one of her short stories).

There is still a scarcity of good writers in Nigeria and we don't even have enough newspapers.

Remember that most of us were totally ignorant of Chimamanda until she was nominated for the Orange Prize and was already highlighted by the Western media.

Do we have to wait for the Western media to dictate to us how to celebrate our geniuses.

You just wait until Nairaland is highlighted on the CNN, BBC or Sky News, then you will see Nigerian newspapers and television channels giving you headlines.

There are so many unsung geniuses in Nigeria and we thank God for the Internet that has given us the endless opportunities to express ourselves without barriers.

i've not heard of this story before, i need more jist.

Orikinla how was the reading? would have loved to attend but it was one crazy day for me. So what exactly did i miss?

I don't know if I'd call her a genius, but it is good to see a young Nigerian celebrated at home and abroad for literary talent. Sometimes it seems like people think we haven't produced a world-class writer since Achebe and Soyinka (or Ben Okri, for those who know who he is).

I wish someone would approach her about making movies based on some of her work.

She might benefit by targeting her stories at a lucrative market e.g. the WAEC recommended novel market.
You may be the best writer in the world, but you won't sell if you choose a topic that really excites people.

I read Purple Hibiscus a while back and just the first heading, "Breaking G, " was actually a turn off, Couldnt she have substituted the Word for like (Communion). Some people tend to use the Word freely in their novel. Another misgiving I have about the novel was its inclusion of a stereotype. The family in the novel hired a houseboy called Okon. C'mon, what was she thinking?

It remains to be seen if the novel would be regarded as an African classic. It is probably on its way to become one. But would it receive as much acclaim as Tsitsi's Dangeremba's novel (did not care for it though) "Nervous conditions?" don't know

Ndipe--I get the feeling she writes primarily with a Western audience in mind. People who wouldn't mind (or even understand) how stereotypical it is to make the houseboy Efik/Ibibio etc. I haven't read "Nervous Conditions"--should I keep an eye out for it? What didn't you like about it?

All right.

Chimamanda's novels have become topical issues online and offline. And I have already written on her first novel on Farafina.

The information here was meant for those who would have loved to attend her reading at the Jazzhole yesterday.

I know that Chimamanda will go far.

Ben Okri is actually the best Nigerian writer since Wole Soyinka. And his literary corpus will confirm it.

I keep on saying that Pa Chinua Achebe has not written his best novel.
We should not rest on our oars
Dwelling on our past glories.

The great Nigerian novel has been written, but has not been published.

God bless our geniuses.

Terracotta, about Nervous conditions, all what I can tell you is that novel has gained a significant merit in the Literary world. It was written by a Zimbabwean. I did not really care for the novel, at times, it was interesting, at times, it wasnt, but I was just ticked off by her allusion of comparing her uncle to , ( sorry I cant mention it, cos it is a blasphemy. Basically, the protagonist is a benefactor of a wealthy uncle who appears to take an interest in her education. One scholarly book wrote that the book is on its way in becoming an African classic. Maybe, so.

But if there is a novel that I would want you to keep an eye on, it would be "So Long a Letter" by Mariama Ba. That's the best novel that I have read!!! If you wan read grammar, read that novel, and you will be blown away by it.


@Orinkinla, The Arrow of God, I think deserves the same accolades as Things Fall Apart. The problem with Achebe is his inclusion of some pornographic words in his novel. At the same time, the novel appeared disjointed, but overall, I think it was a pretty good read.

tianshie:

Read all of Chimamanda's short stories (I think) online.
I think she has an exciting and pacy style,though I think Purple Hibiscus ended poorly.

I have read both Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun.In as much as i think that they are brilliant novels,i also think they ended quite poorly.It kind of gives me the impression that the author is a sadist!

Strange I was just about to put up a thread asking if there are any fans in the house, just finished Purple Hibiscus after accidently bumping into Half of a Yellow Sun in the mall few weeks ago, been hooked on her ever since, seriously cute girl too!!  both books are brilliant, probably the best young talent to come out of Nigeria in recent years.

Also try picking up, Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi, she's a young London based girl just completed A levels, the book is really good and got rave reviews here in the UK.

Shagari,
I picked up a copy of Helen Oyeyemi's Icarus girl last Christmas at Nu metro.I couldnt get through 5 pages without sleeping off!Its the most boring book ever.I still havent finished it.If boring ever had a name,that one is it!

Not trying to stop you from buying it or anything. . .you know the whole one man's meat another's poison thing.I might not have liked it and you might read it and find it worth it but i just felt i should warn you.

Hi Spikedcylinder, I have read it, thats why I recommended it, I thot it was good, well guess as you said, one man's meat -------- 

Seun:

She might benefit by targeting her stories at a lucrative market e.g. the WAEC recommended novel market.
You may be the best writer in the world, but you won't sell if you choose a topic that really excites people.

Purple Hibiscus was nominated for the Booker prize and won numerous other awards, Half of a Yellow Sun has already been nominated for the British Book awards, they can't refill the shelves with her books soon enough at major books stores across the world, well, at least in the UK, and you're talking about the 'lucrative WAEC recommended novel market' What'u talkin 'bout dude, a bit narrow minded, don't you think? 

Adichie's novels are receiving acclaim in the UK and the USA. I know Purple Hibiscus generated a lot of positive publicity and is now a bestseller. What I did not like about it, was the first heading in her novel. The writing was good, but the inclusion of the stereotype was a drawback. I havent read her 2nd novel, but I probably might read it. I am a very picky reader.

Who has read Karen King Aribisala? If they is a female novelist that I would recommend, aside from Mariama Ba, it would have to be Aminata Sow Fall, another Senegalese writer. I have not read Ben Okri, but my co-worker really liked it.