EllieGu answers “I am reading Americanah, and I'm about...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about Americanah:

I am reading Americanah, and I'm about half way through. If, for the protagonist, Nigeria is 100 % good, and the USA is 100% bad, why come to the States?

EllieGu This book is very pro-America. A middle class Nigerian girl comes to the states and has to struggle to make it, and after much hard work and overcomin…moreThis book is very pro-America. A middle class Nigerian girl comes to the states and has to struggle to make it, and after much hard work and overcoming obstacles she gets a rich boyfriend, a great job and many opportunities for her future. This is the ideal immigrant story. In comparison to the experience the main character's true love had in England she was living the life of Riley in America. I felt that every girl in Nigeria who read this book would want to come to America ASAP. I think the main aim of the story is to say that these educated and talented young Nigerian people who were sent abroad to study come back to a homeland and culture they love. When they come back they will bring not only their renewed appreciation for their culture but also an appreciation of a world view outside their narrow confines of their culture and use that knowledge to enhance their lives with modern refreshed perspectives. You can go home again!(less)

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