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The Thing Around Your Neck
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
What an excellent set of short stories exploring the human condition with all its flaws and neurosis. Adichie addresses the institution of marriage - arranged marriage, infidelity; same sex desire, sibling rivalry and the consequences of subordinating female children; she then intersects these with immigration and migration and interracial relationships. Each story is complete yet you feel it could also form the basis for a longer novel. Unlike many young Nigerian writers Adichie's language is uncomplicated and every word has its place and purpose. The writing appears effortless and there are gems of insight - On America "the abundance of unreasonable hope". On white people "white people who like Africa too much and those who liked Africa to little were the same - condescending".
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Your questions lead me to suspect that my review was insufficient :)The stories are Nigerian stories whether set in Nigeria or in the US, whether contemporary settings or historical ones.
"Does the author engage with issues of contention between imperialist/colonial notions of marriage and notions of marriage" No, this is not a colonial/indigenous discussion. It is about the institution of marriage in the 21stC and is really a universal comment on the pressures of women to be married and the institution of marriage as oppressive to women.
I suggest you read the book!
A compelling review making clear that I would learn much from this book. Does the book focus on Nigeria, on Africa, or more broadly? Does the author engage with issues of contention between imperialist/colonial notions of marriage and notions of marriage and family that exist already in colonized locations?