A Hell of A Read

An epic story of love and war, Adichie takes us through history through the magic medium of story telling. Set in Nigeria during the pre and post era of the Biafran war. The story is narrated by Ugwu a 13 year old house boy (servant) who goes to live with Odenigbo, a Maths lecturer at the University of Nsukka. They are later joined by Olanna, Odenigbo’s girlfriend.

The sub plot deals Richard Churchill, a shy English writer who is madly in love with Kainene (Olanna’s twin sister) who is a straight talking and a no nonsense woman of influence in society.

The interactions between the main characters deal with sibling rivalry, societal and family expectations of a woman, and customs and traditions in the light of education and independence.

A love story is in the making spliced with socio, political and intellectual drama until the coup and counter coup sets the Biafran war into motion.

This is faced with much optimism by the main characters, for them they see Biafra as a new beginning for the Igbos. An answer to the socio political problems caused by power struggle between the three main tribes in Nigeria; the Yorubas, Igbos and Hausas respectively. As time goes on, reality sets in as victory begins to become a fantasy in the light of starvation, corruption and bloodshed.

The relationships between the characters are put to the test. What did people stand to gain from the war? And at what price? Could loyalty be expected or even demanded between sisters and lovers?

The end of the war is greeted with different reactions from the different people. Could they ever recover? And even if they do, could the wrongdoings of the past be truly forgiven and forgotten? What lessons were there to be learnt in hope, love and freedom?

The book takes us on the back of the historical bird whose chicks can still be found flying around till today. A page turner loaded with potent imagery, traditional proverbs and fluid delivery, Half of a Yellow Sun rightly deserves its title as winner of the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction and a classic in its own right.