Desirae Murray answers “Why is this book so popular when it is a...”

Citizen asked this question about Americanah:

Why is this book so popular when it is a lengthy, rambling mess of stories interspersed with lectures about race, society and culture? What happened to the idea of a great STORY, characters the reader can care about, conflict, rising action, etc.???

Desirae Murray Because, the novel in itself is more relatable within our society today. By using blog posts, Ifemelu is expressing and exposing the fallacies of what…moreBecause, the novel in itself is more relatable within our society today. By using blog posts, Ifemelu is expressing and exposing the fallacies of what is happening in America and Nigeria; also, Obinzie's terrible experience in trying to gain citizenship in Britain and becoming a wealthy man at Nigeria through illicit means show reader's the realities of a broken dream. Both character's are immersed into tribes that may seem normal, but in reality it's plain crappy. So, the ideal great story in essence is based upon individual experience, no tale or novel has a happy ending; the ending depends upon the author. (less)

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