Lovely prose, heart-breaking story, lots to think about.

It took me a while to get involved in the story; initially the 15-year-old narrator's matter-of-fact acceptance of paternal oppression and cruelty made it difficult for me to engage with her and her family. I persevered because of the positive responses to the book from readers whose opinions I respect. Once the children, Kambili and Jaja, were introduced to the strikingly different world their cousins were growing up in, the story became much more interesting to me. Moving from the wealth, privilege and strict routine of their home to the near poverty, primitive living conditions and informal loving environment of their Aunty's apartment, the children rapidly learn lessons about life that their fanatically Catholic father, Eugene, a Great Man in the eyes of his community, has tried desperately to "protect" them from.

For me, the strongest element of this book is the love that develops between Kambili and Father Amadi. We see this only from Kambili's perspective, and it is of course colored by her naivete and longing, but it felt achingly true. The author leaves us with no suggestion that the priest's actions toward the young girl were in any way inappropriate, although on the face of it their relationship bordered on forbidden territory. The irony is that this priest, who is so much more casual and relaxed about his faith than Kambili's rigid, dogmatic father, appears to be capable of a brand of pure unconditional Christ-like love that Eugene would probably see as ungodly.

I found the liberal sprinklings of Igbo words and phrases throughout the book distracting, not because I did not know their meanings, but because I could not hear them, and have no idea how this language sounds. I remember when I read Cry, the Beloved Country, there was a glossary with a very good pronunciation key that helped me find the music in the Zulu words. I wished for a similar aid while reading Purple Hibiscus. ( )

Took back. Not enough time. ( )

A beautifully told story of the dualities within family and country, told from the perspective of teenage girl Kambili in Nigeria. Briefly, Kambili's youthful world deconstructs through a combination of external conflict such as the fallout from Nigeria's Civil War, and familial conflict centered around her wealthy, powerful, generous, maniacally devout yet abusive, violent, and cheating father. At the same time, her eyes are opened to life not dominated by fear by visiting her poor yet educated aunt and cousins, accompanied by her brave brother Jaja and by spending time with the popular young Father Amadi, who is so different from her father.

The numerous juxtapositions and ironies blend together to make a portrait of a family and country, tied together by the symbol of the purple hibiscus, which represents the infancy and potential of both to become something unique. Privelidge and poverty, faith and secularism, new ways and old, outward benevolence and inner demons, loyalty to family vs to the community, fear and bravery, symptoms vs. causes, all these themes are intertwined as Kambili opens up to both the reader and her family.

This book is excellent for those looking for a poignant and rich story peopled by characters shaped with all five senses and diverse responses to a country in conflict. I recommend it - there's plenty in there for a lively book club discussion. ( )

This story is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Readers will find themselves cringing at the cruel punishments of Kimbili's father while also understanding her conflicted feelings of love and devotion. The characters' dimension and inner feelings are revealed through their actions rather than through didactic explanations. Readers will also fall in love with the beautiful descriptions of the characters and the love in her Aunt's family.

Purple Hibiscus is Adichie's debut novel. She introduces Kambili, a fifteen-year-old privileged Nigerian girl, along with her mother, father and older brother, Jaja. Kambili shares the daily experiences of her and her family's life and is exposed to her not-so-well-off relatives. Life inside the Kambili's home may not be so privileged after all.

I can't put my finger on the deciding factor that caused me to not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped, but I do know that there were several things that made me uncomfortable. First, it took me almost half the book to become interested in the story, and the religious and political views that represented the Nigerians was unsettling. In addition, the storyline and characters both were sluggish, but they all had their purpose. Even with all my dislikes, I found it to be a well-written, good book, but not one I can rave about. I'm thinking timing played a part in my rating as well. (3.25/5)

Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..." ( )