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..." ( )

This is a beautifully written novel that drew me in from the beginning. It is written in a manner that enables the reader to smile, cringe, weep, gasp, whatever at all the right times. It is about a family in Nigeria that from the outside looks absolutely glowingly perfect but on the inside is shockingly disturbed and all the family and the help are dedicated to keeping the horrific nature of the home life within the home. I was totally unprepared for the nature of the atrocities that occurred. (All in the name of love and betterment of the victims.)
This same story occurs daily world wide, but rarely are we enabled to read of it in such prose as to actually feel as if we were there. This young author is brilliant and has a wonderful future in the world of writing. ( )

A lovely piece of storytelling. ( )

A coming of age novel--Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'Purple Hibiscus' is narrated by 15 year old Kambili. Set in Adichie's native Nigeria--Kambili comes from a wealthy politically and religious oriented household. Her autocratic father Eugene--an obsessed and extremely devout Roman Catholic physically and emotionally abuses her and also her mother and her brother Jaja. Notwithstanding the harsh atmosphere of his home Eugene is very involved in manufacturing and food processing in the area and also runs an influential newspaper. As well he is very active in local charities which revolve around the church. After a military coup he becomes a standout in opposition to the new government.

The tension in his home though is palpable--and he is the cause of it all. He refuses his own father Nnukwu (who's health is rapidly declining) any contact with his family because he still believes in the old ways--the old native religions. He lays into his family physically whenever he sees one of them divert from the path of righteousness into 'sin'. After one particularly brutal episode his widowed sister Ifeoma convinces him to let Kambili and Jaja spend a few days with her family in a nearby university town. She has three children--a daughter Amaka--(around Kambili's age), and two sons Obiora and a very young Chima. Timid at first Kambili and Jaja though quickly adapt to their new surroundings. Ifeoma's family is catholic as well but the atmosphere around their faith is much much lighter. Theirs is an African priest Father Adami who is very involved with kids and sports and not nearly the disciplinarian the European Father Benedict of Kambili and Jaja's own parish--and Kambili soon develops a crush for Father Adami.

Their grandfather Nnukwu increasingly debilitated by illness is taken in during their stay and when Nnukwu dies and Eugene finds out that his 'heathen' father had been living under the same roof he immediately takes Kambili and Jaja back and punishes them for not telling him. With the political situation as well deteriorating Eugene is under a lot of pressure--his lead newspaperman--a staunch critic of the new regime is assassinated--a loss that Eugene takes to heart. Their home life deteriorates and after another particularly brutal beating that puts Kambili in the hospital--she and her brother once again wind up in her aunt Ifeoma's house. Ifeoma as well a critic of the new government is being forced out of her professorship at the university and with very few options left applies for a visa to the United States--so everything for everyone is tenuous--and it is at this point that Eugene dies.

Ngozi Adichie is seen by some as the literary heir to Chinua Achebe. What this her first novel clearly shows is she has the capability of living up to those projections. The prose is very straightforward and the characters are well and realistically drawn--even the often oppressive Eugene has a number of good points. The story is compelling and as well is very effectively told. There is almost no extraneous material which shows she is very much in control of her work. Anyway it is well done and a very worthwhile read. ( )

"Things started to fall apart at home ..." in an opening line that grabs you and as you later realise is an under-statement that reflects the manner of this novel, as most of us would have considered the home life Kambili talks about in the novel as one that is forced together by a controlling and bullying father. The domestic violence in the novel is disturbing and distressing and the atmosphere of the novel very tense, the fear of what her father would do next was on every page. It does show different aspects of Nigerian life very well, the University, the traditional village, the strict Catholics. ( )

Chimamnda Ngozi Adichie, a native of Nigeria, describes lives of privilege and wealth seldom considered by western readers. Even more unusual, to this western reader, was the devotion to Catholicism exhibited by the father of the main character, Kambili.

Fifteen-year old Kambili narrates the gradual dissolution of her family that begins, she tells us, when her brother, Jaja, refused to receive communion. Politics, religion and family history converge in Kambili’s family and result in great tragedy. In many ways this is a family story without geographic boundaries that could happen anywhere; that the family lives in Nigeria provides an interesting backdrop. Adichie brings to life the food, sights and smells of city life and rural life in Nigeria. She captures with aching beauty the anxiety, fear and tremulous feelings of Kambili.

From the beginning sentence you know something terrible is coming and yet the reader is compelled to keep reading. When the tragedies begin to multiply there is a sense of inevitability—no other resolution is possible. Still the end is a surprise.

Adichie writes lovingly and beautifully and demonstrates great respect for her characters and their flaws. This is not an easy story to hear yet in the end it enriches the heart. ( )

A magnificent book, with much "couleur locale" as Igbo words are inserted throughout the text without disturbing the readability.
A young girls point of view on relations with her family, especially her brother and father, described so realistic without unnecessary emotions that it becomes very shocking.
It's a very disturbing story on a family terrorised by the military government but first of all by the fanatic religious father.
The lack of emotional outbursts in reaction to the terror executed by the family father makes it not the tearjerker it could easily have been. Very disciplined writing by the author, but this was for me the most important factor that caused unease and a rock solid knot in my stomach while reading. The author just mentions the facts, the observations and the pain ... very abstemious, very calm, like if it should be like that, that's anyhow how Kambili sees it, she has never known anything else.
Only through contact with her aunt and her aunts relatives the main character, Kambili, discovers that there are other ways of living together then in fear and pain. Only at her aunts place Kambili can be herself and she discovers laughter, friendship and love. Albeit impossible love.
At the end, the ordeal is complete and she suffers even more when her brother takes the blame for a tragic event and gets in prison, now one of the most admired and beloved relatives of Kambili seems also lost.
A heartbreaking story.
Very emotional for me since my younger years were not that happy too after my mother died much to soon.
Having children of my own now for quite a while i can impossibly imagine to treat them like this, my fear for religious fanatism of any kind has only grown, my disgust for any violence only confirmed.
Without any doubt too many children however suffer this kind of violence and fear, or in any variations, and i can only hope their suffering will end as soon as possible and that they may have the strength to deal with it.
I'm a man, 44 years old, but i cried at the end of this book, no one deserves to live like this and i can only hope for the author that this is not autobiographic by any means. ( )

A great read. A bit challenging but very refreshing and insightful. I'm not sure what else to say other than read it. The author is an amazing woman and a bright star in the sky. ( )

A powerful first novel from the Nigerian writer Chimamanda NgoziAdichie. It revolves around 15-year-old Kambili, a girl whose rich and charitable father is also a fanatically religious and abusive man and whose loving and open aunt is a college teacher. Kambili has to deal with both these worlds against the backdrop of a military coup and personal tragedy.

Definitely worth reading! A very human interest filled approach to serious themes, such as the conflict between the traditional and Christian missionary imposed religions, family relationships, and the political evolution of an African state. Well-written and approachable. ( )

A fantastic book by a wonderful Nigerian writer. ( )

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has really impressed me with her writing abilities. Purple Hibiscus was Adichie’s first novel. I read her second book, Half of a Yellow Sun, last year and it was in my Top 20 for 2007. Although some have stated that Purple Hibiscus was not as good as Half of a Yellow Sun, I disagree. I think it was just as well-written, and in fact I may prefer it.

Kambili and her family are of the wealthy upper class in Nigeria. Her father owns several factories and is a major benefactor of his local church. Kambili is a very compliant child, always wanting to please her parents, while her brother Jaja is much more independent. Their father is very strict regarding his household in every detail. He puts both of them on a schedule everyday and they must not deviate from it. He insists on each child being first in their respective classes.

I felt so much for Kambili. In the beginning she truly looks up to her father and wants to please him. She believes he is perfect. As the story progresses, she sees more and more of his faults and begins to have more questions about his discipline. Kambili’s mother also suffers from his excessive demands. Any missteps he considers as sins to be physically removed from those committing them. Adichie doesn’t totally set him up as a monster, though; somehow she manages to make the reader sympathize (a little) with him as well.

Purple Hibiscus is not just a story of domestic abuse. It is also about the past political conflicts in Nigeria, about how Christianity has affected the region, and also about the strong bonds among family members. Adichie truly is following in Achebe’s footsteps as one of Nigeria’s greatest writers.

Highly recommended. ( )

To begin with ‘Purple Hibiscus’ seemed very simple, and flat in comparison to many of the other books I have read, and I was feeling very disappointed in it. Then, about half way through the book, I started falling for it. The simplicity became the main positive, and the message came across very powerfully.

I loved the flawed characters in this book. I had great empathy for the main character, Kambili, as she dealt with her controlling father. The political situation in Nigeria was sensitively covered; it was not described directly, but it’s affect was clearly visible through the way it changed the lives of the family.

Overall, this was a great book. Quick and easy to read; but with a vivid portrayal of African lifestyle, religion and politics.

Highly recommended. ( )

A story of a tough father of a family in Nigeria

Kimbali is the 15-year-old daughter of a wealthy Nigerian businessman. Her father, Eugene, is adored by the community for his philanthropy. Their home is spacious, luxuriously furnished, and immaculate. But within his home Eugene rules with an iron hand, guided by his fanatical religious beliefs. He keeps his children on a tight schedule and closely monitors their activities. He is estranged from his own father because of his refusal to convert to Christianity, and his children’s visits with their grandfather are limited to 15 minutes. When Kimbali and her brother Jaja are allowed to visit their Aunty Ifeoma and her children, they experience love and laughter for the first time. Kimbali is intimidated, afraid that she is going against her father’s will, and against God. She is also embarrassed by her lack of basic household skills. Jaja adapts more easily to his cousins’ lifestyle, and finds satisfaction in household chores, tending the garden, and playing sports with local boys. They both return home changed by the experience.

All of this unfolds against a backdrop of Nigerian political unrest which threatens the lives of several characters. But this story is primarily a coming-of-age novel: Kimbali’s process of self-discovery continues, and Jaja begins to resist his father’s authority. Their abusive home environment is increasingly evident. This was Adichie’s debut novel; it was long-listed for the 2004 Booker Prize and made the Orange Prize shortlist the same year. While it was not as compelling as her second book, Half of a Yellow Sun, it is beautifully written and filled with believable characters. I found the symbolism behind the purple hibiscus particularly moving:

Jaja’s defiance seemed to me now like Aunty Ifeoma’s purple hibiscus: rare, fragrant with the undertones of freedom, a different kind of freedom from the one the crowds waving green leaves chanted at Government Square after the coup. A freedom to be, do do. (p. 16) ( )

Purple Hibiscus (by the author of Half a Yellow Sun) was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and won the Commonwealth Writers Prize. Kambili is 15 and lives in Nigeria with her older brother Jaja, mother and father. Her father is one of the Big Men who owns a series of factories, has a lot of money and is very generous with his wealth and power making him very well respected within the community. He is a strong follow of christianity and leads many in prayer and correct living.

At home things are not quite as they seem. He is fanatical in his belief and expects perfection from his family. If they fail to live up to his unrealistic expectations, he turns to violence "for their own good". This includes his wife who whilst pregnant wishes to stay in the car and not visitn an important man as she is feeling nauseous. Sadly she looses her baby and ever sadder this does not stop the beatings in the future for her or her children.

All of the lives change when Kimbili and Jaja spend time with their free thinking Aunt Ifeoma and their cousins. There they are encouraged to think for themselves rather than spend their lives mindlessly following schedules and srtiving to always be top of their classes, they learn respect and how to lead a family as well as discover friendship and love. Kimbili is a shy teenager who stutters and only says what she believes will make her father hapy. Over time she emerges from her protective shell and develops a personality, questioning once accepted ways of thought and deed.

It took a little to get into this novel, but I really enjoyed it once I did. Their father makes an interesting character. On one hand he is a hero to his viliage supporting many charaties and peoples school fees, but on the other hand turning into a monster when his family fail to live up to his high standards. The story telling is very evocotive and really puts you inside living in Nigeria. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially her grandfather and aunt. ( )

The book speaks of the lives of a wealthy family in Nigeria during a time of political turmoil. However, it is more about living in a household with an abusive father/husband. When the children have a chance to stay with their less-privileged cousins, they find an entirely different way of life, a life of books and laughter and spontaneity. ( )

This book is powerful. The author takes you on a journey to Nigeria, a country most of us no next to nothing about. Well, at the end of this book, you will. And not because that is the objective of Adichie, no, it is just because her writing draws you into her story, and that happens to be set in Nigeria.

Kambili's father is a religous fanatic who punishes his family for every percieved sin. Kambili and her brother Jaja don't know life can eb different until they get to stay with their aunt. There, they learn how to be normal, how to live and laugh and think for themselves. But then, they must return home, and things get out of hand very quickly.

I liked this book very much, the story drew me in from the beginning. It's not completely chronological, and even though I normally don't like non-chronological stories, this story works well the way it is. The characters were likeable, even Kambili's father, and all were very real. The only thing I have to say against this story is that I felt the ending was a bit rushed. Still, it was a very good book and I recommend it to everyone! ( )

Difficult to read as a survivor of domestic abuse myself, but beautifully written and a story that captures the reader. The central character of Kambili is one that I could really identify with, and she engaged me from the first paragraph.

An excellent insight into Nigeria too. ( )

In another recent book I've read a character quotes that "every new film director must use all the skills they have learned at University". Pretty much the same here I'm afraid. The plot is an excellent premis for a novel, a great introduction for anyone in the Nigerian culture. However it's too wordy and not heart-felt at all.

Kimbali and her brother Jaja suffer some horrific beatings at the hands of their father; yet there is little emotive writing comes through. These bits touched me only because I began to stop for a moment and think about the difference between these children and their cousins. It's cold and lacking in emotion for most of the 307 pages actually.

Both the children know their is something not right with their life but they have difficulties in expressing this and become lonely children at school (again, this is something that could have been developed) unless it was meant to show the coldness of their lives by the coldness of the writing? Their mother has lost child upon child and yet still suffers the abuse from her husband. She has been encouraged by her sister-in-law time and time again to leave but as her husband is such a respected member of the community she chooses to stay.

I found this a challenging read purely because of the prose not the plot. At the beginning it would only have gained a 1 out of 5 but on the introduction of Aunty Ifeoma the quality of prose rises and it becomes engaging. She is an excellent character - vibrant, thoughtful and courageous. Her children seem aloof to begin with but you realise they are questionning the life that Kimabli lives.

The blurb has Kimbali aged 15 yet on reading the novel I felt she was only about 11 or so in how she comes across. The relationship with Father Amadi was unclear. She seems to love him but I was uncertain whether it was a platonic love and one born out of respect or whether it was a love she was hoping would develop between the two of them.

'Purple Hibiscus' will not have me actively seeking anything else by her at the moment. ( )

reading this for the second time for a book group. also read Half a yellow sun, but enjoyed this more. Poignant story of a young girl with a domineering father ...her relationship with her mother and brother and her relation to the outside world. She has an intense and articulate inner dialogue but is often unable to speak. ( )