13th Book: Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
With effortless grace, celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie illuminates a seminal moment in modern African history: Biafra's impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic in southeastern Nigeria during the late 1960s. We experience this tumultuous decade alongside five unforgettable characters: Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old houseboy who works for Odenigbo, a university professor full of revolutionary zeal; Olanna, the professor’s beautiful young mistress who has abandoned her life in Lagos for a dusty town and her lover’s charm; and Richard, a shy young Englishman infatuated with Olanna’s willful twin sister Kainene.
Half of a Yellow Sun is a tremendously evocative novel of the promise, hope, and disappointment of the Biafran war.
[Abstract]
Due to holidays, we had 2 separate gatherings for this book to discuss the entire book and then we watched the movie together at the end of the month to close out this book.
FIRST GATHERING
PROMPTS
Who is your favorite character so far?
What did you think of the Okeoma's question to Richard about the African antiques that he seemed surprised and what did you think of Richard's reaction?
DISCUSSION
First prompt:
One member noted that they enjoy the Master, Odenigbo and they like that he is good to Ugwu, the houseboy. They also like his character is fighting for the good of Africans.
One member noted that they like Ugwu, the houseboy, and Jomo the gardener and even Harrison because of his banter with Jomo and the humor they bring to the book.
Many members really like Odenigbo because of his kindness and how much he cares for the well-being of Ugwu and going to school.
Many members really enjoy the character of Ugwu because of his personality and the humor he brings to the story and he is loyal and willing to learn and he is a main character but also behind the scenes at the same time.
Second prompt:
Some members noted that they thought Okeoma’s question was a fair question and Richard’s reaction shows that it was a fair question. He was surprised and had a blindspot of racism that Okeoma revealed and he should own it and realize that he also has been negatively impacted by racism and colonization and although he is intentional about not being racist, he grew up in that environment so he may have some blindspots that he should be aware of and fix.
SECOND GATHERING
PROMPTS
What was the most meaningful scene for you in the book or moment(s)?
Which character's journey throughout the book was most interesting to you?
DISCUSSION
First prompt
One member noted that there were so many parts of the book that are important that evoked different feelings. Two moments in particular is the part of the book when Olana realizes that Amala was a victim of the situation with Odenigbo and probably felt that saying No was not an option for her. And the second moment is when the violence starts in Kano and Olanna finds her family brutally killed.
Some members noted how Olanna processed the trauma from Kano and how sick she became and just the simple act of going to the bathroom was not possible while initially and it was not physical but mental. And also that her sister came to visit her despite their issues.
Some members noted the scenes when the mom came to visit and the events that happened between Odenigbo’s mother, Odenigbo, Ugwu, Onala and Amala and how the dynamics and interactions reveal so much about some of the issues in our societies.
Second prompt
One member noted Odenigbo and Ugwu and Kainene. Specifically, Kainene’s character was really strong throughout the book and seemed to have a fixed perspective and was very closed with her emotions but by the end we see she has exhibited forgiveness with her sister, compassion for the realities of the atrocities, and a truly benevolent nature in helping her people and taking risks for the goodness of others. So, Kainene’s evolution was very interesting and Ugwu too. How much he had to change for Ugwo from page 1 to the last page. From a simple child from the village to all the highs and lows he experienced. So for me, Kainene's character and Ugwu's character changed so much from page 1 of the book to the last page.
Many members noted that Ugwu’s intuition and the evolution of his character was really captivating to read from the beginning to the end. And that it was easy to put yourself behind his eyes and learn from his experiences. And hope that there really is a book written by the real-life Ugwu.
Some members noted Richard’s experiences and how he went from a new European arrival to self-identifying as Biafran and also his thoughts and actions throughout the book and perspective on the situation was interesting.
MOVIEW REVIEW
DISCUSSION
Some members felt like the movie could be a nice introduction to the average person who is unaware of Niegria’s history and Biafran war.
Most of the group agreed that the creator of the film and director and writer that adapted the book for the film: all of these people and other roles completely missed the mark. They focused on the high drama events but did not do a good job of building up to it. They completely ignored the importance of character development and personality of Ugwu and all the characters. They made the twins the main characters of the story when that is not the case in the book. The casting was mainly not good (this is no offense to the actors and actresses) but most of them were out of alignment; thus creating a film that did not do the book any level of justice. It is unfortunate because the book and characters is so well written and engaging and educational and so much more and the movie just felt like “a Hollywood” movie and we use that term not in a complimentary way.
We hope someone one day will take on the task of truly creating a film that embodies the essence of the book. We understand it wont be identical but at least there should be some thoughtfulness. It seemed like the creators of this film just read the cliff notes and did not speak to the author.
FINAL THOUGHTS
All the members were grateful for the spotlight this book puts on Nigeria’s history.
This is a book that belongs amongst the classics that high school students have to read. This is truly a book that belongs alongside To Catch a Mockingbird, The Diary of Anne Frank, Great Gatsby, etc.
The characters (both main and secondary) all have clear personalities that evolve throughout the book and the circumstances. And the author does a great job of even making the war itself a character. It is truly well written and thoughtfully written. Even if you do not like every scene or part of the book, you will likely overall enjoy or at least appreciate this book and its purpose.