₦airaland Forum

Ndipe:
Who has read Karen King Aribisala? She is from Guyana, and I think married to a Nigerian. She lectures at the University of Lagos and has won a prestigious award in Literature. I have not read her, or rather, just browsed through one of her novels. Reason I am inquiring about her, is that there is a girl that I sort of know who told me that she, Karen is her favorite author from Nigeria. She has paid glowing tributes to this woman's literary work, that I am quite curious to know if anybody has.

Orikinla, where are you? Are you not the expert on King Aribisala? Shebi she is the woman you were falling in love with? Abeg answer Ndipe quick quick o!!!

Ndipe:
Back then, there were some people who doubted the authenticity of the stories in Hints magazine. Then, perhaps, to prove that their stories were true, the editors of the magazine, Hints published a letter from a writer, who wrote that he was interested in having their pseudo stories published in their magazine. The editors countered back that they only published true life stories. For some teenagers, Hints was the 'sole ingredient' necessary to guide them in a relationship. For adults, we have doubts about the authenticity of those stories.

Abeg Jo. While I am not saying that some of the stories were (or are) not true life stories supplied to the magazines by people, I can confidently say with no fear whatsoever that quite a number of the stories in both magazines were plagiarised from foreign magazines (e.g. True Story - which is an old british magazine) with names and locations changed.

I used to read both magazines and was disgusted by this fact. I remember writing to both on this matter and in typical 'Naija' style, my letter was no acknowledged.

creatorjc:
well,at least great minds understood perfectly.u know anything?

I stand by what I wrote earlier which i have inserted again below

SMC:
Come back to criticize when you learn how to construct a good sentence in English mate.

creatorjc:
all of u,shut up! i think the beauty of her books is in their publishers.there are so many unknown good as well guys in africa.and until i see someone as good as an achebe or ngugi or gordimer,I CANNOT CELEBRATE ANY YET,

Come back to criticize when you learn how to construct a good sentence in English mate.

Is it just the sofa? In the beginning, she has a single chair, then it becomes a sofa. One inconsistency if you ask me.

Seun:
So?

What do u mean by so?

ziddy:
aren't you supposed to be a feminist?

Were you addressing me sir? If your reply is in the negative, I do apologise.

If however, your reply is in the affirmative, I do not know what being a feminist has got to do with my comments. As far as I am concerned, the story does not cut it [that is my opinion of course and you may disagree if you wish].

Am I the only one not impressed by this drama/story?

BOOK REVIEW FOR HALF OF A YELLOW SUN

This is a book written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the highly acclaimed writer of the best selling Purple Hibiscus. It is a novel that is principally set in 1960's Nigeria and tells a fictional tale that concentrates on the lives of Olanna (the principal character), Kainene (her non-identical twin), Richard (Kainene's English lover), Odenigbo (Olanna's lover) and Ugwu (Odenigbo's houseboy), shortly before and during the Nigerian-Biafran war.

While the subject of the Biafran war has been covered by many writers, what Adichie has succeeded in doing is bringing through her work the effects of the war as experienced by the Igbo's. She has not attempted to give a historical lecture about the war, but has created a fictionalised account of the war based on some true life experiences of. It is often a fact that when wars are fought, propaganda takes over and the world is seldom aware of the true effects of the war, especially the suffering felt by the losing side. Adichie has captured this fact beautifully.

Half of a Yellow Sun offers a glimpse into the multi-faceted aspects of the Nigerian Society, showing the sharp contrast between educated backgrounds as seen from Odenigbo and his colleagues in juxtaposition with the almost stark illiteracy of Ugwu (in the beginning) and other domestic help. It covers the tribal divide which has always existed in Nigeria and the effect tribal bigotry can have on a people. It shows how during a war, extraordinary events and acts become ordinary. A case in point is a woman carrying the head of a child in a calabash on a crowded train and showing it to other passengers who do not seem shocked but share her sorrow because they had all seen gory sights in the not too distant past.

This is a book which is intricately woven to cater to a broad sense of literary appetites and has the effect of shocking the reader in some parts to amazing them in others. It keeps you turning the pages and sometimes makes you want to skip forwards in a frantic search of what happens next. It has murder, treachery, greed, betrayal, infidelity, war, starvation, love, friendship, sorrow and much more.

One short coming that this book has is the triviality with which it has treated the issue of pre-marital co-habitation in Nigeria (particularly among the Igbos in Igboland) which can be observed by Olanna living "in sin" with Odenigbo.  Here, the western influences of the writer can clearly be noticed, as even 40 years later, such matters are not taken lightly among the Igbos and indeed many Nigerian tribes (it must be said at this point that this shortcoming is one that will be noticed only by people who have a substantial knowledge of Nigeria). Another issue treated almost nonchalantly by the writer is the attempt of Olanna's parents to "sell" her to a minister so that her father can secure a contract. Other minor issues against the book are the clichés that the author uses from time to time.

On the whole, this book is a good effort from Adichie, who should be quite proud of this piece of work and it is not surprising that it was nominated for the Orange Broadband Prize. I recommend that you read Half of a Yellow Sun.

SMC

Vintage:
Her new book is only getting this publicity becuase it promotes white supremacy. Apparently one of the key characters is a white man who sleeps with both sisters. the book has these 2 black women talking about how handsome this white guy is with his blonde hair, pushing eurocentric features.

SOME PEOPLE WILL DO ANYTHING FOR FAME.

It is apparent that you haven't read the book. I will be shocked if you say you have, for it will show that you lack a basic understanding of the issues raised. Case Dismissed.

Yusufadeto:
Am happy to be African especially Nigerian, because it's the best thing that could ever happen with me, we are blessed by God and we have so much gift and talent, am sure Africa will dominate the world sometimes soon, hoping to be alive then

@ Yusuf, DREAM ON DREAMER. NIGERIA IS A LAND OF ABUNDANCE/PLENTY, BUT ALSO A LAND OF SHATTERED DREAMS. THIS IS ONE COUNTRY THAT IS NUMERO UNO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LOST POTENTIALS. , I WEEP FOR MY MOTHERLAND .

saintsam:
@SMC
SOME AFRICANS MOSTLY NIGERIANS TEND TO DENY BEING AFRICAN AND TAKE OVER THE WESTERN HERITAGE. I LOVE AFRICA, I BELIEVE IN THE DREAM OF AFRICA.

@Saintsam, I am not saying that this is not true, all I am saying is you are an African because you had no choice in the matter originally [I stand by that statement still].

Orikinla:
SMC,
If you could, write a good review of Half of a Yellow Sun and post it on this board.
I can pay you in kind by giving you a free wedding website for your wedding or you can give it as a wedding gift to any about to wed couple.
I can also give you other gifts if you don't want a wedding website.

.

I will do a review of the book gladly and you don't need to give me a gift. Thanks for the offer anyway.

saintsam:
I AM AN AFRICAN.

I am an African
Not because I was born there

I am an African
Because she is the cradle of my birth

samson.

You are an African because you had no choice in the matter period!!!