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Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by SisiKill1: 2:59pm On Apr 29, 2013



LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The traffic is there, grinding life to a halt as the middle class pound out messages on BlackBerry mobile phones and worry about Facebook. The heat, the sweat and the daily tragedy of unclaimed bodies lying alongside roadways, passers-by hurrying past for fear of someone else's misfortune becoming entangled in their own.


This is modern life in Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, which becomes almost a character of its own in novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's new book, "Americanah." And within its pages, one catches self-acknowledged glimpses of the writer herself, who shot to fame with her previous love story set during Nigeria's civil war called "Half of a Yellow Sun."

As that book is being made into a movie, more international attention will focus on Adichie, part of a raft of new Nigerian writers finding acclaim after years of military-induced slumber in a nation with a rich literary history. Yet Adichie, like her new book's heroine, finds herself straddled between a life in the United States and one in Nigeria, where even seemingly innocuous comments on hair care and wigs can stir resentment.

"I'm writing about where I care about and I deeply, deeply care about Nigeria," Adichie told The Associated Press. "Nigeria is the country that most infuriates me and it is the country I love the most. I think when you're emotionally invested in a place as a storyteller, it becomes organic."

That sense of place runs throughout "Americanah," — make sure to stress the fourth syllable, says the daughter of a university professor and a university registrar. It's a term people use to describe the accents carried by some of the Nigerians now returning in droves to the country after it embraced an uneasy democracy after years of military rule. While oil and gas money continues to flow and other business opportunities abound, the nation's universities now sit in shambles, graduating more unqualified students than can be offered jobs.

That intellectual dulling has been challenged by a host of new writers, many of whom like Adichie live almost double lives abroad.

"She is part of the pack of novelists who have, after what you might call the two decades of silence, who have helped to tell Nigerian stories to the whole world again," writer Tolu Ogunlesi said. "It was the dictatorships and all that's associated with them. ... The '80s and '90s were dark ages of sorts for Nigeria."

It's that period where "Americanah" finds its beginning. Though dismissing the idea of being a "dutiful daughter of literary conventions," Adichie's new novel takes root in the vagaries and murmured promises of a love story like much of her other work. It also focuses largely on the slim percentage of Nigerians able to afford diesel generators in a country largely without electricity and who look at the poor through the chilled air and tinted-glass windows of luxury SUVs.

Despite that, her writing hits a nerve with Nigerian readers who identify with the descriptions of church worship services focused on getting foreign visas and the nervous wives of rich men in a nation notorious for philandering. Adichie describes herself as looking "at the world through Nigerian eyes," but she doesn't hold back on criticizing its culture that fosters widespread government corruption. Or what she perceives as the excessive, neutered politeness of "political-correct language" in the U.S.

"Nigeria wasn't set up to succeed, but the extent of its failure is ours. It's our responsibility," she said. "This country is full of so many intelligent people, so much energy, so much potential, so why are we here?"


That kind of truth telling isn't exactly welcome, even in a democratic Nigeria. Speaking Saturday night at a book signing, Adichie drew laughter and a few nervous looks from organizers by describing President Goodluck Jonathan as "not a bad guy, he just seems like he's floundering and has no clue."

It also leads to comparisons some make between Adichie and late author Chinua Achebe, who died in March at age 82. Both come from the Igbo people of Nigeria's southeast and Achebe's own praise of Adichie graces the cover of her new novel in Nigeria. Adichie said the rise of new writers served as a testament to the power of Achebe's writings and the works of others.

"I think there's just this wonderful flowering that's happening," she said.

Even more controversial, it seems, have been Adichie's comments on natural hair in Nigeria, where many spend huge sums of money on straight-banged wigs and weaves known as Indian hair. An online commenter on Twitter asserted that Adichie, whose natural hair sits in buns atop her head, said that those wearing weaves were insecure, sparking controversy. Adichie herself ended up responding to the criticism and gave a recent audience advice on finding hair conditioners with no sulfates.

"It's only black women for whom an entire industry exists which is geared toward specifically making sure that the hair that grows on their head looks different," she said. "I want natural black hair to be an equally valid option, not something interesting, not something you do when you're a jazz musician, but something you can do when you're a lawyer in a fancy firm in New York City or if you're a politician in Abuja," Nigeria's capital.

That, however, still remains a challenge. Adichie acknowledged it herself by pausing, and then adding: "My mother doesn't like my hair like that. She is still praying."

SOURCE

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Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by SisiKill1: 3:02pm On Apr 29, 2013
She had me on the first paragraph because it is so true!!!!!!! cheesy cheesy

The traffic is there, grinding life to a halt as the middle class pound out messages on BlackBerry mobile phones and worry about Facebook. The heat, the sweat and the daily tragedy of unclaimed bodies lying alongside roadways, passers-by hurrying past for fear of someone else's misfortune becoming entangled in their own.



I don't think I've ever looked forward to a book!!!

Can't wait!!
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Seun(m): 4:01pm On Apr 29, 2013
I lost interest in the book when I learnt that it has a lot to do with hair or something. She looks different in this pic. Her eyebrows are messed up.
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by maclatunji: 4:10pm On Apr 29, 2013
I have never read any of her novels.
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by onegig(m): 4:49pm On Apr 29, 2013
maclatunji: I have never read any of her novels.

Same here. She's a good writer though but am not really moved by most Nigerian writers except Cyprian Ekwensi with his humorous description of characters and scenes. So sad he his dead.
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Mynd44: 4:54pm On Apr 29, 2013
Chiamanda is at it again.
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Seun(m): 5:21pm On Apr 29, 2013
I think she's the best Nigerian writer by a long shot.

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Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by maclatunji: 5:31pm On Apr 29, 2013
Seun: I think she's the best Nigerian writer by a long shot.

That is quite an endorsement, you mean of all time in your reckoning?
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Mynd44: 5:34pm On Apr 29, 2013
maclatunji:

That is quite an endorsement, you mean of all time in your reckoning?
I doubt that cos I would strongly disagree with that. She is good, granted but the best of all time, Hell no!!!

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Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by luvmijeje(f): 6:57pm On Apr 29, 2013
Nansense! So we that put on weaves and wigs are insecure. Mctheew

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Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Afam4eva(m): 7:22pm On Apr 29, 2013

[size=14pt]She can't possibly be the best writer off all times. I think that's a joke and an insult to Nigerian writers. Saying she's the best writer of this era or generation sounds more plausible.[/size]

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Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Afam4eva(m): 7:23pm On Apr 29, 2013
luvmijeje: Nansense! So we that put on weaves and wigs are insecure. Mctheew

[size=14pt]Yes, you are(no offense)[/size]

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Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Mynd44: 7:26pm On Apr 29, 2013
Afam4eva:
[size=14pt]She can't possibly be the best writer off all times. I think that's a joke and an insult to Nigerian writers. Saying she's the best writer of this era or generation sounds more plausible.[/size]

Even that is subject to debate

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Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Afam4eva(m): 7:31pm On Apr 29, 2013
Mynd_44:

Even that is subject to debate

[size=14pt]Everything is subject to a debate. It's not a black and white issue.[/size]
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by luvmijeje(f): 7:42pm On Apr 29, 2013
Afam4eva:

[size=14pt]Yes, you are(no offense)[/size]
No offense taken. Following her reasoning, both of us are insecured or why did she make-up or even put on a cloth. As I said nansens
e!

1 Like

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Afam4eva(m): 7:45pm On Apr 29, 2013
luvmijeje:
No offense taken. Following her reasoning, both of us are insecured or why did she make-up or even put on a cloth. As I said nansens
e!

[size=14pt]There's a difference between wearing a cloth and wearing another person's body parts.[/size]

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Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Mynd44: 7:51pm On Apr 29, 2013
Afam4eva:

[size=14pt]There's a difference between wearing a cloth and wearing another person's body parts.[/size]
Weaves or wigs are not all made of body parts bro. Some of them are synthetic and hence can be likened to the clothes you wear.

1 Like

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Afam4eva(m): 7:55pm On Apr 29, 2013
Mynd_44:
Weaves or wigs are not all made of body parts bro. Some of them are synthetic and hence can be likened to the clothes you wear.

[size=14pt]
I know of synythetic but it still serves the same purpose that perpetuates inferiotity complex and it's not the sam thing as clothes. We wear clothes cos we don't have any attached to our body but God gave us hair but because we want to look white, we cover our own hair with an imported one.[/size]

2 Likes

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by luvmijeje(f): 9:35pm On Apr 29, 2013
.
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by luvmijeje(f): 9:37pm On Apr 29, 2013
Afam4eva:

[size=14pt]
I know of synythetic but it still serves the same purpose that perpetuates inferiotity complex and it's not the sam thing as clothes. We wear clothes cos we don't have any attached to our body but God gave us hair but because we want to look white, we cover our own hair with an imported one.[/size]
Bros, pls stare at her pix very well, is she naturally looking beautiful in that pix? I will prefer a yes or no.

2 Likes

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Nobody: 12:33pm On May 03, 2013
She is good
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Nobody: 12:35pm On May 03, 2013
Is she married?
My brother nnamdi needs a wife and I will like her as a sister in law

1 Like

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Nobody: 12:49pm On May 03, 2013
Afam4eva:

[size=14pt]
I know of synythetic but it still serves the same purpose that perpetuates inferiotity complex and it's not the sam thing as clothes. We wear clothes cos we don't have any attached to our body but God gave us hair but because we want to look white, we cover our own hair with an imported one.[/size]
Very skewed thinking, no offense. People have different reasons for putting on weaves, it doesn't necessarily mean they want to look white. It's annoying and disrespectful when guys come on here and say ladies who put on weaves are trying to be white. How about you try saying they use weave as a form of protective styling on they put on weaves just to feel good about themselves?

2 Likes

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Afam4eva(m): 12:53pm On May 03, 2013
ItsModella:
Very skewed thinking, no offense. People have different reasons for putting on weaves, it doesn't necessarily mean they want to look white. It's annoying and disrespectful when guys come on here and say ladies who put on weaves are trying to be white. How about you try saying they use weave as a form of protective styling on they put on weaves just to feel good about themselves?
Lol. Pls what does protective styling mean? I have nothing against anyone using wigs or Somalian hair but let's call it what it is. How come those peripherals never have the Black/African equivalent. They're all made to look like the care carried by White people.
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by OdenigboAroli(m): 12:57pm On May 03, 2013
Afam4eva:

[size=14pt]
I know of synythetic but it still serves the same purpose that perpetuates inferiotity complex and it's not the sam thing as clothes. We wear clothes cos we don't have any attached to our body but God gave us hair but because we want to look white, we cover our own hair with an imported one.[/size]

Ok,I will forgive you for all the banning you slammed on me,for just one day!
I love women that are original. Heck,I even feel insecure when I go out with a chick that has fake hair on. It fu.cks with my pride as a black man!

1 Like

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Nobody: 12:59pm On May 03, 2013
Afam4eva:
Lol. Pls what does protective styling mean? I have nothing against anyone using wigs or Somalian hair but let's call it what it is. How come those peripherals never have the Black/African equivalent. They're all made to look like the care carried by White people.
Yes, they do. You are the one whose idea of black hair is warped. Black hair is not always kinky and tangled, it can be straight.

Protective styling is styling the hair in such a way that there is less damage.

2 Likes

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by slap1(m): 1:04pm On May 03, 2013
How is Half of A Yellow Sun a love story?
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by OdenigboAroli(m): 1:05pm On May 03, 2013
ItsModella:
Very skewed thinking, no offense. People have different reasons for putting on weaves, it doesn't necessarily mean they want to look white. It's annoying and disrespectful when guys come on here and say ladies who put on weaves are trying to be white. How about you try saying they use weave as a form of protective styling on they put on weaves just to feel good about themselves?

Abeg,go siddon for one corner! What was the first reason why black women started wearing fake hair ? Isn't it to look like white women with silky long hair ? Come here trying to justify the reason why you are insecure. "Protective styling" my a.ss. You load 10lbs weight of hair on your head for protective styling. I na akoolu biati! Try,again,madam.

3 Likes

Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Mynd44: 1:09pm On May 03, 2013
Una don change matter to weave and artificial hair abi?
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by EzePromoe: 1:14pm On May 03, 2013
luvmijeje:
Bros, pls stare at her pix very well, is she natural beautiful in that pix? I will prefer a yes or no.
For me, i think she is judging by her age.
Re: Adichie Focuses On Nigeria's Present For Novel by Nobody: 1:17pm On May 03, 2013
Odenigbo Aroli:

Abeg,go siddon for one corner! What was the first reason why black women started wearing fake hair ? Isn't it to look like white women with silky long hair ? Come here trying to justify the reason why you are insecure. "Protective styling" my a.ss. You load 10lbs weight of hair on your head for protective styling. I na akoolu biati! Try,again,madam.
Your post reeks of ignorance. Even the white people you say we strive to look like wear extensions and not all of them have silky long hair. So you make no point really. I do however agree that some wear them for insecurities but saying all black women who do are insecure is just ridiculous. Wearing weave is not a clear cut indicator of insecurity.

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