Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Confession: I cried reading this novel.

The story revolves around a fanatically religious father, who is well-respected in society but is willing to do unspeakable inside home just because of his belief.

This is a story as narrated by a young girl, Kambili, who is stifled by fear and authority, but begins to understand about love and freedom after she spends time with her Aunt’s family and meets her strong, outspoken and free-spirited cousins.

Nigeria portrayed under the military regime by Chimamanda seems so much familiar. The load-shedding, fuel crisis, water shortage, protests, etc., we Nepalese have lived through it all and a lot of these descriptions of Africa are so very relatable. Jaja, Kimbili’s brother and his love for the family and his need to protect them is beautifully revealed and let’s not forget about Kimbili’s mother.

Chima will slowly and steadily reveal the readers how love makes us do things, things we’d not do otherwise. Chima exposes it just as a matter-of-fact.

I started to read last year but forgot all about it. When I picked it up this year, I finished this book in two sittings. It is worth a read.

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