"Half of a Yellow Sun"
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A book that most people were pleased that they had read, even if the subject matter was at times harrowing.
It is a fascinating study, not only of the war, but on the impact on tribalism of post-colonial Africa.
Most felt that the book very skilfully portrayed details of the Biafran/Nigerian war.
A war that for most of us was in the background of our teens/early twenties, but about which we knew little.
Most found the device of the book very effective and all were surprised at the end, when Ugwu was revealed as the author, presuming the putative author Richard to be responsible.
Adichie is adamant that it was not his story to tell.
The characters were mostly people we cared about.
The women are particularly strong characters.
The, at times unsympathetically portrayed Kainene, turned her business acumen into running a refugee camp.
Olanna is far more successful than Odenigbo in dealing with the trauma of the war.
There is a marked contrast between the idealism and enthusiasm of the academics at the beginning and the merciless inhumane chaos of war that ensues.
There was some disagreement about the character of Richard, some finding him unnecessary and too weak for the stance he had apparently taken.
The time switches in the book provoked some comment.
Some finding them confusing and others finding them an excellent device to increase tension as to why Kainene and Olanna were estranged.
It was a surprise when the parentage of baby was finally revealed.
Most found the end of the book very sad and were anxious to know what had happened to Kainene and how the characters coped with the aftermath of the war.
A book we felt we could believe in that provoked an excellent evening’s discussion.
JC
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