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Half of a Yellow Sun

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( 167,638 ratings, 13,207 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is set during the Nigerian Civil War and explores the lives of several characters, including an academic, a British expatriate, and a young houseboy. Their personal journeys intertwine against a backdrop of political upheaval, love, and loss, revealing deep human connections amidst the chaos of war.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy powerful historical novels that explore themes of love, war, and resilience against the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War. The intertwining lives of the characters provide deep emotional insights and a compelling narrative.

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Half of a Yellow Sun

THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION ‘WINNER OF WINNERS’

CHOSEN AS SERVICE95 BOOK CLUB'S BOOK OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST 2023

The international bestseller and Women’s Prize for Fiction’s ‘Winner of Winners’

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a sweeping, evocative novel set in Nigeria during the harrowing years of the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s. A profoundly moving narrative that captures the complex fabric of Nigeria's society, the book intertwines the lives of three unforgettable characters amid the tumult of a fierce civil war where a million lives were lost.

The story is anchored by Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old boy from a rural village who becomes a houseboy for Odenigbo, an enthusiastic university professor. Through Ugwu's eyes, we encounter a world marked by intellectual zeal and a burgeoning sense of national identity. Meanwhile, Olanna, Odenigbo's beautiful lover from a privileged background, faces the shattering reality of personal loss and the brutal massacre of her kin. Her journey is one of resilience and profound transformation.

The third pivotal character is Richard, a British expatriate and writer, whose life takes a dramatic turn when he falls deeply in love with Olanna's enigmatic and distant twin sister, Kainene. As their lives converge and intertwine, each character is forced to navigate the swirling maelstrom of political upheaval, personal loyalty, and ethical dilemmas that come with the fight for secession of Biafra from Nigeria.

This extraordinary novel is rooted in the landscape of a nation on the brink of transformation. It delves into themes of colonial legacy, ethnic tensions, and the intricate layers of human relationships. Adichie masterfully explores the ways that love, loyalty, and betrayal intersect with political consciousness, laying bare the depths of moral responsibility and the enduring impacts of conflict. Half of a Yellow Sun doesn't just recount history; it humanises it with a rich tapestry of emotions and vivid storytelling.

A recipient of numerous accolades, including the Women's Prize for Fiction’s ‘Winner of Winners’ accolade and selection as Service95 Book Club’s Book of the Month for August 2023, this novel is essential reading for anyone interested in African history, colonialism, and the power of love amid chaos.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Heartbreaking, funny and exquisitely written, Half of a Yellow Sun is considered a literary masterpiece and classic. It exhibits a ramshackle freedom and exuberant ambition, vividly written and thrumming with life. Comparisons have been made to notable classics, highlighting its compassionate intelligence and intimate portraiture. The novel's depiction of suffering draws readers in deeply, reflecting the author's remarkable storytelling gift.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780007200283

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 January 2007

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fourth Estate Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 310g

Pages: 448

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About the Author

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born in Nigeria in 1977. She is from Abba, in Anambra State, but grew up in the university town of Nsukka, where she attended primary and secondary schools. She went on to receive a BS in Communication and Political Science from Eastern Connecticut State University and an MA from Johns Hopkins University, both in the United States. Her short fiction has been published in literary journals including Granta, and won the International PEN/David Wong award in 2003. 'Purple Hibiscus', her first novel, was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and was winner of the Hurston/Wright Legacy award for debut fiction. She was a Hodder fellow at Princeton University for the 2005-2006 academic year. She lives in Nigeria.

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