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Lila hibiskus
Kambilis far Eugene Achike är en riktig hjälte. Oförskräckt kritiserar han maktmissbruket i samhällets högsta skikt och skänker stora summor till välgörande ändamål.
Men i hemmet är han en tyrann. Han misshandlar sina barn och sin fru om de gör det minsta avsteg från den enda sanna vägen, en hårdhänt och intolerant katolsk tro. Kambili och hennes bror Jaja får en aning om e...more
Men i hemmet är han en tyrann. Han misshandlar sina barn och sin fru om de gör det minsta avsteg från den enda sanna vägen, en hårdhänt och intolerant katolsk tro. Kambili och hennes bror Jaja får en aning om e...more
Paperback, 279 pages
Published
January 7th 2011
by Bonnier Pocket
(first published October 30th 2003)
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I have really enjoyed reading Purple Hibiscus by Nigerian born writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. An admirer of her compatriot, the writer Chinua Achebe, who wrote, amongst other things, Things fall apart, she begins her novel with the words : “Things started to fall apart at home…” Even if the use of these words is purely coincidental, they provide a very apt summary of what is going to happen during the following 300 pages.
The story is narrated by 15 year old Kambili. She and her brother Ja Ja ar...more
The story is narrated by 15 year old Kambili. She and her brother Ja Ja ar...more
Mar 30, 2013
Jill
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jill by:
Kinga
Shelves:
kinga-forced-me
3.5 stars
Kambili is fifteen, living at home with her brother, Jaja, her mother and her father, a wealthy businessman. Their home life though affluent and seemingly stable is an unhappy one with Kambili, Jaja and their mother walking on eggshells, living with the physically and emotionally abusive father, a religious, fanatical tyrant. Nigeria, politically unstable at this time, succumbs to a military coup.
This is author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's debut. The writing is flowing, easy to follow, t...more
15 likes · like · see review
view all 36 comments
Ben
Ms. Houseman
World Literature
5/5/08
Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
Purple Hibiscus
New York: Anchor Books, 2003
307 pp. $15
1-4000-7694-3
Book Review
“Purple Hibiscus”, written by contemporary Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, tells the story of a lonely and reclusive 15-year-old girl, Kambili, in present-day Nigeria. The tumultuous social, political, and religious climate, typical to that time in Nigeria, permeates every aspect of Kambili’s life. But Kambili’s situation is different than that of m...more
Ms. Houseman
World Literature
5/5/08
Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
Purple Hibiscus
New York: Anchor Books, 2003
307 pp. $15
1-4000-7694-3
Book Review
“Purple Hibiscus”, written by contemporary Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, tells the story of a lonely and reclusive 15-year-old girl, Kambili, in present-day Nigeria. The tumultuous social, political, and religious climate, typical to that time in Nigeria, permeates every aspect of Kambili’s life. But Kambili’s situation is different than that of m...more
A father/husband who is physically abusive, extremely authoritarian, rigidly Catholic, yet extremely generous toward his community drives the action of the novel. When his children, Kambili (the narrator) and Jaja, go to live with their aunt they witness and begin to experience autonomy.
Nigerian political strife is merely a backdrop in this novel. Eugene, Kambili’s father, runs a paper and finds himself having to take his printing underground to escape the authorities; Ifeoma, Kambili’s aunt/ E...more
Nigerian political strife is merely a backdrop in this novel. Eugene, Kambili’s father, runs a paper and finds himself having to take his printing underground to escape the authorities; Ifeoma, Kambili’s aunt/ E...more
14 likes · like · see review
This is a fantastic debut novel by a young Nigerian-born writer. This is a YA novel, but has very heavy material. Kambili is a 15 year old Nigerian girl born into privelege in her war torn country; however, her life is not what it seems. Her father, a wealthy business man and philanthropist, is also an abusive tyrant. The juxtaposition of the wealth of the ruling class and the abject poverty of the masses is paralled by the two faces of the family. The writing is beatiful and vivid. Because it p...more
I really, really loved this book. The very first chapter captivated me and the book held my attention right until the last page. The writing was good- using the exact amount of description needed to bring the book to life. The characters all felt very real and believable. The story was intriguing and emotional. I definitely did not predict the ending and it was very fitting. All in all, a very enjoyable read and one of my new favourites.
For more of my reviews and recommendations, visit my blog:...more
For more of my reviews and recommendations, visit my blog:...more
5 likes · like · see review
I have to say, for a "first novel", this was brilliant and I could not put this book down. Adiche have to be an admirer of Chinua Achebe, who wrote Things Fall Apart . The opening words of Purple Hibiscus are: "Things started to fall apart at home..."
Perhaps the use of these words are coincidental but they sum up what is going to happen as the story continues. The story takes place is the post-colonial Nigeria plagued with political instability and economic difficulties. The conflicts between t...more
Perhaps the use of these words are coincidental but they sum up what is going to happen as the story continues. The story takes place is the post-colonial Nigeria plagued with political instability and economic difficulties. The conflicts between t...more
Purple Hibiscus takes place in Nigeria, a country that I was unfamiliar with. The story is told through an endearing character, Kimbilli, a teenage daughter in a prosperous Nigerian household. Despite their apparent affluence, their life was anything but comfortable. The father was a cruel and narrow minded patriarch of the family. He had rejected his native religion and roots, including his own father, a traditionalist,in favor of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church was portrayed as an imp...more
4 likes · like · see review
Rating: 0.125* of five
Men beat their wives and children. Politics is a dirty business. And the Catholic Church is bad. The end.
Who cares. Seen it, read it heard it, many times before.
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: "My name is David Brandstetter. I'm a claims investigator for the Medallion Life Insurance Company." He handed her a card. She didn't glance at it. "I'm looking for Peter Oats," he said.
"He's not here. I wish he were. Maybe you can help me. The police don't seem to care."
She was...more
Men beat their wives and children. Politics is a dirty business. And the Catholic Church is bad. The end.
Who cares. Seen it, read it heard it, many times before.
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: "My name is David Brandstetter. I'm a claims investigator for the Medallion Life Insurance Company." He handed her a card. She didn't glance at it. "I'm looking for Peter Oats," he said.
"He's not here. I wish he were. Maybe you can help me. The police don't seem to care."
She was...more
1 like · like · see review
Purple Hibiscus, is a wonderful piece of literary fiction. It is a coming of age story, a story of domestic violence, and a look at freedom. The characters are well-developed.
Fifteen year old Kambili, lives a life of privilege in with her parents, and her brother Jaja in Nigeria. The father, Eugene is a wealthy businessman, a religious fanatic, and a strict disciplinarian. His family is the recipient of his cruel and unusual forms of punishment. The book opens on Palm Sunday, with the father, Eu...more
Fifteen year old Kambili, lives a life of privilege in with her parents, and her brother Jaja in Nigeria. The father, Eugene is a wealthy businessman, a religious fanatic, and a strict disciplinarian. His family is the recipient of his cruel and unusual forms of punishment. The book opens on Palm Sunday, with the father, Eu...more
I have been interested in Nigerian popular cinema (Nollywood) for some time, so when I came across this book, written by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie it immediately caught my attention. All in all it did not disappoint. There is a certain dispassionate tone about the narration, and the dialogue seems stilted at times, but this is somehow appropriate and in character in the voice of Kambili the 15 year old girl who is the main protagonist and narrator of the story. Kambili's narrative...more
Mar 24, 2008
Lindsay
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of African lit, abusive family issues (ok, "fan" isn't the right word)
Recommended to Lindsay by:
Vanity Fair (recommended the author)
Shelves:
not-the-lower-48
Although this book was overall pretty enjoyable and a quick read, I kept feeling like there was something missing. Some of the characters felt kind of "flat" to me--there were very few surprises in their reactions as new events arose. Also, even though Nigerian social/political issues ran throughout the book, I felt as if they could have been more pronounced. That could be just my own preference--so far, from reading a book set in another country and culture usually during tumultuous times, I ex...more
What a compelling character Adechie has created in Kambilli, i was pulled into her reclusive world, her shyness was so well illustrated it brought me back to my own adolescence when i so desperately wanted to comment on the world around me but my voice wouldn't come. Adechie's talent for using clear cut simplistic writing to depict complex situations was brilliant. Purple Hibiscus is filled with so many themes and well thought out contrasts that i cannot imagine readers walking away from this wi...more
9 likes · like · see review
The book was fascinating because it depicted a Nigeria I’m not particularly familiar with, e.g., people who live in cities and have electricity (sort of) and running water (only a few). My relatives largely live in villages without those two conveniences of modern life and with a well and a generator, we make life in the village somewhat “normal” by Western standards.
The story itself - a sort of coming of age story of a very sheltered teenager - is interesting more because its perspective is unu...more
The story itself - a sort of coming of age story of a very sheltered teenager - is interesting more because its perspective is unu...more
Beautifully written book, a little harrowing in places. A wonderful protagonist, fifteen year old Kambali, won't leave your heart soon. Lovely complex characters and exploration of family and place. No easy ending either.
The story told by a young Nigerian girl who grows up in a strictly religious household where Papa commits tortures his children in the name of love of God – and love for them. All the riches and ‘comforts’ cannot compensate for the terror in which the Kamibili and Jaja and their mother live. The contrast with the happiness that pervades the family of Papa’s sister is unmistakable to the two children. Eventually, the children rise, like a lone purple hibiscus among others of a different colour.
Th...more
Th...more
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has really impressed me with her writing abilities. Purple Hibiscus was Adichie’s first novel. I read her second book, Half of a Yellow Sun, last year and it was in my Top 20 for 2007. Although some have stated that Purple Hibiscus was not as good as Half of a Yellow Sun, I disagree. I think it was just as well-written, and in fact I may prefer it.
Kambili and her family are of the wealthy upper class in Nigeria. Her father owns several factories and is a major benefactor...more
Kambili and her family are of the wealthy upper class in Nigeria. Her father owns several factories and is a major benefactor...more
First novel of C. N. Adichie, who grew up in Nigeria where she attended med school for two years at the University of Nigeria before coming to US. The book won the 2003 O. Henry prize and was short listed for the 2002 Caine Prize for African writing.
Book well written and provided insight into family life,politics, and political unpheaval in Nigeria. However, I was upset by the violence of the abusive father's behavior and would not recommend the book to anyone as squeamish as I am on the subjec...more
Book well written and provided insight into family life,politics, and political unpheaval in Nigeria. However, I was upset by the violence of the abusive father's behavior and would not recommend the book to anyone as squeamish as I am on the subjec...more
1 like · like · see review
Purple Hibiscus is a story told in the first person by Kambili, a 15-year-old living in a relatively wealthy house in Nigeria along with her older brother, Jaja; her mother, Beatrice; and father, Eugene. Eugene sees himself as the epitome of Christian piety, but beats his wife and children almost senseless when they exhibit what he deems to be wicked behavior (such as, for example, if the kids come in second rather than first in class).
In the background, a parallel story recounts the repression...more
In the background, a parallel story recounts the repression...more
Story Description:
Knopf Canada|March 26, 2013|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-345-80752-6
Fifteen-year-old Kambili’s world is circumscribed by the high walls and frangipani trees of her family compound. Her wealthy Catholic father, under whose shadow Kambili lives, while generous and politically active in the community, is repressive and fanatically religious at home.
When Nigeria begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili’s father sends her and her brother away to stay with their aunt, a Uni...more
Knopf Canada|March 26, 2013|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-345-80752-6
Fifteen-year-old Kambili’s world is circumscribed by the high walls and frangipani trees of her family compound. Her wealthy Catholic father, under whose shadow Kambili lives, while generous and politically active in the community, is repressive and fanatically religious at home.
When Nigeria begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili’s father sends her and her brother away to stay with their aunt, a Uni...more
The characters were extremely real. Their insecurities are so deep. Human flaws were perfectly carved.
This plot quite lacks direction. There was not much of a resolution in the end. Things are falling apart, indeed, in an uncharacteristic way, ok, but what is the significance of it all? The plot does not answer that question. The book is breathtaking; the art of story-telling is evident. However, what remains is that the plot had meandered aimlessly and settled to something unexpected and unnece...more
This plot quite lacks direction. There was not much of a resolution in the end. Things are falling apart, indeed, in an uncharacteristic way, ok, but what is the significance of it all? The plot does not answer that question. The book is breathtaking; the art of story-telling is evident. However, what remains is that the plot had meandered aimlessly and settled to something unexpected and unnece...more
I found this book purely by accident, but I'm so glad I did as it is now one of my favourite books.
Kambili, who narrates this story, is a lonely and reclusive 15 year old girl, living with her brother, Jaja, mother and father in luxury in war-torn Nigeria. However, things aren't what they seem. Kambili's father is a strict Catholic, who physically abuses his family on a regular basis. Kambili and Jaja are unable to visit their grandfather because their father has rejected his native religion and...more
Kambili, who narrates this story, is a lonely and reclusive 15 year old girl, living with her brother, Jaja, mother and father in luxury in war-torn Nigeria. However, things aren't what they seem. Kambili's father is a strict Catholic, who physically abuses his family on a regular basis. Kambili and Jaja are unable to visit their grandfather because their father has rejected his native religion and...more
The realistic fiction book Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie starts somewhere inside the middle of the story. The main character, Kambili, starts us off with an insight of how bad things are going for her family by starting in the middle. This book is mainly about a fifteen year old girl named Kambili in Africa who has many family problems. She then lives with her Aunt and discovers how life is outside of her rich family compound.
I really liked how realistic it was and it showed many...more
I really liked how realistic it was and it showed many...more
In Nigeria after the Coup, fifteen year old Kambili and her older brother Jaja are living under the watchful eye of their successful Catholic father "Papa". Kambili has never dealt with hunger, but the religiously zealous Papa has never made her life easy. Beaten if she doesn't finish first in school, Kambili is growing up in terror of letting her father down.
However, when her Aunt Ifeoma convinces Papa to let Kambili and Jaja to come to her home in a university town called Nsukka, her life is t...more
However, when her Aunt Ifeoma convinces Papa to let Kambili and Jaja to come to her home in a university town called Nsukka, her life is t...more
The setting is post colonial Nigeria, in the wealthy city of Enugu. Kambili, the main character in the book, lives with her wealthy family, her very religious father, her passive mother, and her defiant brother, Jaja. Kambili's father has a large desire to have control over his family. He has schedules for Kambili and Jaja, that detail what they do every minute in the day, and frequently, everyone in the family is beaten by Papa. This is the premise of Purple Hibiscus. As the military coup chang...more
I really liked reading Purple Hibiscus, buy Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It takes place in Nigeria, where poverty is widespread, rich people are rarely met, and corrupt government officials extort everyone. Kambili, the main character, is one of those rich people who lives in a huge house with her older brother Jaja and her parents. Her father, a fanatical Christian, rules his household with an iron fist, and whenever any of them does not behave as he says, or does not get the most perfect grades p...more
Feb 10, 2013
Margitte
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
africa,
african-authors
This was a great book to read.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche combined Nigerian politics, religion, cuisine, traditional believes and industry in such a way that neither of the elements overshadowed the story of the fifteen-year old Kambili and her family. Although her father was religiously rigid, physically, mentally and emotionally abusive to the family, especially Kambili's mom, Adiche still showed his softer side of him caring for so many hundreds of people either openly or anonymously. Her wealth...more
Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche combined Nigerian politics, religion, cuisine, traditional believes and industry in such a way that neither of the elements overshadowed the story of the fifteen-year old Kambili and her family. Although her father was religiously rigid, physically, mentally and emotionally abusive to the family, especially Kambili's mom, Adiche still showed his softer side of him caring for so many hundreds of people either openly or anonymously. Her wealth...more
Purple Hibiscus is an amazing coming of age story written in the voice of the 15-year old protagonist, Kambili. It is resplendent with elegant descriptions and well-articulated realizations as the young girl finds her voice. For example, a description of a road trip in Nigeria, ". . . the tarred roads spring potholes like surprise presents and the air smells of hills and history and the sunlight scatters the sand and turns it into gold dust." And commenting on Americans who suggest that Nigerian...more
I loved this book. From beginning to end, it captivated me. It was a gift from a woman I really admire, so I think I may have felt a bit more strongly about it than I otherwise would have had I chose it on my own.
I was born and raised in Nigeria, and even I had to stop frequently to google what the Igbo words for things meant. I think that non-Nigeria readers would have had even more trouble than I did. That said, I am a stickler for knowing what every word in a book means, and I do this regard...more
I was born and raised in Nigeria, and even I had to stop frequently to google what the Igbo words for things meant. I think that non-Nigeria readers would have had even more trouble than I did. That said, I am a stickler for knowing what every word in a book means, and I do this regard...more
This is the second book I have read by the author, and I greatly enjoyed both of them.
The story takes place in a couple of small urban areas in Nigeria. The story is told by Kambili, the 15 year old daughter of a wealthy and well-respected factory owner. He also sponsors a newspaper that dares to dig and tell the truth about what is happening in the government. The father is also very generous to the church and people in both his current town and his home village. But he is also very strict and...more
The story takes place in a couple of small urban areas in Nigeria. The story is told by Kambili, the 15 year old daughter of a wealthy and well-respected factory owner. He also sponsors a newspaper that dares to dig and tell the truth about what is happening in the government. The father is also very generous to the church and people in both his current town and his home village. But he is also very strict and...more
1 like · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Hibiscus | 3 | 64 | Aug 10, 2012 08:30am | |
| Purple Hibiscus primarily a novel on religious intolerance | 1 | 43 | Nov 27, 2010 12:40am |
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born in Enugu, Nigeria, the fifth of six children to Igbo parents.
Chimamanda studied medicine and pharmacy at the University of Nigeria for a year and a half. At nineteen, Chimamanda left for the U.S to study communication at Drexel University in Philadelphia for two years, then went on to pursue a degree in communication and political science at Eastern Connecticut St...more
More about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie...
Chimamanda studied medicine and pharmacy at the University of Nigeria for a year and a half. At nineteen, Chimamanda left for the U.S to study communication at Drexel University in Philadelphia for two years, then went on to pursue a degree in communication and political science at Eastern Connecticut St...more
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“We did that often, asking each other questions whose answers we already knew. Perhaps it was so that we would not ask the other questions, the ones whose answers we did not want to know.”
—
21 people liked it
“...he did not want me to seek the whys, because there are some things that happen for which we can formulate no whys, for which whys simply do not exist and, perhaps, are not necessary.”
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