“…Race is not biology; race is sociology. Race is not genotype; race is phenotype…racism is about how you look. Not about the blood you have”.

This coming-of-age story about Ifemelu who moves from Nigeria to America. She says she became black when she arrived in America. Author Adichie points out that being black in America meant something different than it does in the UK & West Africa where class is most important because of the raw & painful history that lingers today. Meanwhile we witness the immigrant experience to the UK thru the eyes of the other lesser protagonist, Ifemelu’s first love, Obinze. While this is a love story at its heart, Adichie blurs the lines of literary fiction with themes of sociopolitical and culture throughout, interjecting commentary on race, class, identity, love & loss across the three countries: Nigeria, America & the UK.

“[Africans] mocked Africa….because it was mockery born of longing, and of the heartbroken desire to see a place made whole again.”

Ifemelu and Obinze both idealize leaving Nigeria for “better” but eventually returns home with new eyes & affection for their home country. Often I questioned and sometimes detested Ifemelu’s actions and wondered why the author wrote her to be kind of exasperating and at times needy. Sometimes I thought Obinze deserved so much better, but he loved who he loved.

Adichie weaves so many different conversations in a cohesive story. With many supporting characters that gives the story depth and perspective and making sure that there’s not just one single narrative to represent an entire community or country. I do not think I could read this story any other way but to alternate between physical reading & listening to the brilliantly rich narration by Andoh and listen to the Nigerian colloquialism and intonation.