Americanah
discussion
Buddy Read Carol, Sofia and Maya - June 5, 2016
Finally caught up with you guys. :) I started to read after work and could not stop. I love Dike a lot. Uju seems to have lost some of her optimism, she appears to have become a little bitter, at least that is my impression.I like how I get a little bit more insight in what being an immigrant means, through Ifemelu's and Uju's eyes.
African culture and African literature never caught my interest, but perhaps I will start reading some of their classics now. Perhaps Things Fall Apart by Nigerian author Achebe, I have seen it recommended a lot.
I'm reading on too, it flows easily. I'm with Ifemelu, her first semester in University now.
Chap 11 your spoiler Maya. I don't know but Uju seems to have lost her sekf confidence. Being cut off frim home and trying to make it in America and trying to fit in aren't easy.I got to thinking that new black migrants to America do not have the same history as other black Americans. This will create different dynamics i would assume.
Definitely different. Migrants' ancestors were not slaves and they haven't been called niggers. I'm at 35% and that's already been discussed in the book although not at depth yet (which is understandable since Ifemelu has only been there for several months and this is her story, her view).
Morning, girls :)Where are you? I'm in chapter 17.
did you read the part where she was reading James Baldwin in the library? :)
Yes I did :D. Another point of connection, she knows Jimmy.
Good morning! Sorry, work is crazy and yesterday I had to do some studying, too. But I try to post about my progress more. There were many things so far that I wanted to discuss with you, but then I also wanted to read on and kind of forgot. :)Right now I am in the middle of chapter 22. (view spoiler)
I really have to start reading Baldwin. :)
Part 2 ends with chapter 22 - maybe we can discuss when we all get there?Yes, Carol, give JB a try. Sofia and I are reading a book of his essays in the beginning of next month - you can join if you want/are interested.
Sofia wrote: "I'm starting chap 15 31%Saw some of that discussion Maya. I did not expect that accusation "you sold us" blame, guilt, resentment, anger don't rub well together.
"
I really was not aware that African Americans are also the victims of Africans, in a way. Theoretically, I knew about it, but I did not know that there are some blaming them for it.
I saw it more as an action born out of need/severe financial distress. But I will have to read more about it.
My knowledge of their history is very limited as well and mainly based on fiction and films. I was watching Roots (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3315386/?...) last week and it showed how African Pirates were kidnapping African people and selling them to the English.
From the little i know. Slavery in Africa is a long time sore. Tribes taking slaves from the defeated during wars or the actual kidnapping of people. The the arab traders bought the slaves and set up markets in North Africa,. The American need for workers created a bigger demand. Justification demanded that the slaves be dehumanised so that no guilt is felt by the 'master'. Africa is a big continent with lots of different people, cultures etc. Putting all in one pot is not the way to go imo.
Yes Carol join us :D
Am at 35% I am fearing this is the reason they broke up, so so sad and angry about it.
Sofia wrote: "Africa is a big continent with lots of different people, cultures etc. Putting all in one pot is not the way to go imo."yes, but we all do generalizations based on geography and we are often lumped in such too. Europeans, Americans, Africans - they all unite a multitude of cultures, histories, etc. I think this is a sensitive subject for most people.
Sofia wrote: "Am at 35% I am fearing this is the reason they broke up, so so sad and angry about it."yes, i share your feelings :(
Maya wrote: "Part 2 ends with chapter 22 - maybe we can discuss when we all get there?That is a great idea. I have to study some more this evening, so I will just read chapter 22 for now.
Roots sounds very very interesting. they talk about the old version of this show in chapter 14, right? I think, I will give it a try.
I am in for Baldwin, if I have time (I do not know for sure yet). :)
Sofia, you are completely right about the different cultures in Africa. Speaking of Africa instead of those nations/cultures just stems from me knowing so little about them, I guess.
By the way, I discovered that there is a blog about the aftermath of Americanah. I will share the link when we are finished, as there might be spoilers (I did not look at it yet). :)
I was not referring to your use of Africa, Carol. As Maya said it is a general attitude to lump everyone together. Take us Europeans for instance. The three of us are Europeans, the three of us live in different countries, have different languages and different cultures etc...I'm glad this book will help us see better.
Carol - i think you have a point: such generalization is often the sign of lack of knowledge and perhaps even more often - lack of interest. So i am glad too that i'm able to get any information i can from books, articles, conversation, etc.
Roots - yeah, they must have been watching the original version. I should warn you though - it's very brutal, a lot of violence and abuse. I couldn't go past the middle of episode 2 and Sofia told me she couldn't either.
Sofia wrote: "I was not referring to your use of Africa, Carol. As Maya said it is a general attitude to lump everyone together. Take us Europeans for instance. The three of us are Europe No worries, I know. :) I just really do tend to lump everything together, when it comes to Africa, so I responded this way.
Maya, I do not know if I will watch Roots, if it is this brutal. I will try the first episode and see if I can stomach it.
woops, and in my message 76 i meant lack of knowledge/interest in general, not specifically referring to you or me.rereading my message now it sounds rude. :(
chapter 17 "Or as that marvelous rhyme goes: if you’re white, you’re all right; if you’re brown, stick around; if you’re black, get back!"(view spoiler)
Such subjects get sensitive so very easily.We can but try to see more, hear more and be open I guess.
There is a bit in the book were A Bend in the River. I read a bit of Naipaul some years ago . Now i found some negative criticisms of him personally and it colours what I read before. Never to late to learn a bit more.
Maya wrote: "woops, and in my message 76 i meant lack of knowledge/interest in general, not specifically referring to you or me.rereading my message now it sounds rude. :("
I felt not offended at all, do not worry. :) :)
I haven't read this author. What was he criticism for?
Carol wrote: "Maya wrote: "woops, and in my message 76 i meant lack of knowledge/interest in general, not specifically referring to you or me.rereading my message now it sounds rude. :("
I felt not offended a..."
oh good. it's tough when we communicate just in writing, not being able to see body language and hear voice intonation.
xx
Sofia wrote: "There is a bit in the book were A Bend in the River. I read a bit of Naipaul some years ago . Now i found some negative criticisms of him personally and it colours what I read before. Never to late to learn a bit more."oh ok, just read the part of Chapter 18 where this book was discussed.
Maya wrote: "I haven't read this author. What was he criticism for?"Being a misogynistic, a racist, snotty.
So right about the body language girl. It gets half the job done, if not more.
chapter 19(view spoiler)
Stopping here for a bit, girls. Going out for drinks after work and i don't know when i'll be home to continue reading.
Sofia, Maya: you are right about the body language. It IS different to only communicate by text.Maya, have fun! :) I will be studying, so I also won't be able to read any further.
Chapter 19 (view spoiler)
I'm working and hearing this - it's greathttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg3um...
I've read up to the end of part 2 - chap 22 but can only read more tomorrow evening.
Chap 19I do not think that the burying is that deep if she has given up what she has to go back. Obinze is a part of her going back, in fact she has contacted him already.
Enjoy your evening girls :D
Sofia wrote: Enjoy your evening girls"you too, Sofia :)
Why because he is not Obinze right?
Sofia wrote: "Why because he is not Obinze right?"don't know if you've read the chapter yet so I'm adding spoilers
(view spoiler)
chapter 21 - Ifemelu's blog post: "To My Fellow Non-American Blacks: In America, You Are Black, Baby" - I thought it was powerful.(view spoiler)
I love her blogposts they are strong honest. And i could connect to what she said how the American consideration of colour is different than it is elsewhere. We've discussed this before and hearing her also say it with her experience in America underlines it.Curt has never had it hard. He can keep his innocence and the look at me and praise me because he can afford it.
Good morning, girls. :) The weekend is just around the corner!Regarding Curt: I like him just fine so far, I just think he is too privileged for Ifemelu. He will never understand certain aspects of her life/past.
But in the first chapter, she breaks up with Blaine, right? I wonder why he did not contact her after that first meeting.
I also love the blog posts.
When I read about Curt I knew that Blaine is still to come so I keep not giving weight to the story.
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The Orphan Master's Son (other topics)
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Purple Hibiscus (other topics)The Orphan Master's Son (other topics)
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read chapters 7 and 8
(view spoiler)[so sad to know their love is coming to an end. I guess Obinze won't get a visa. He grew on me more that Ifemelu, he's warmer. (hide spoiler)]