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Half of a Yellow Sun

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Half of a Yellow Sun

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Narrated by: Zainab Jah
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About this listen

THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION ‘WINNER OF WINNERS’

‘A literary masterpiece’ DAILY MAIL

‘An immense achievement’ OBSERVER

‘A gorgeous, pitiless account of love, violence and betrayal’ TIME

In 1960s Nigeria, three lives intersect. Ugwu works as a houseboy for a university professor. Olanna has abandoned her life of privilege in Lagos to live with her charismatic lover, the lecturer. And Richard, a shy Englishman, is in thrall to Olanna’s enigmatic twin sister. Amongst the horror of Nigeria’s civil war, loyalties are tested as they are pulled apart and thrown together in ways none of them imagined.

Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s masterpiece is a novel about race, class and the end of colonialism – and the ways in which love can complicate everything.

‘Vividly written, thrumming with life … a remarkable novel’ Joyce Carol Oates

‘Adichie entwines love and politics to a degree rarely achieved by novelists’ Elle

‘Absolutely awesome. One of the best books I’ve ever read’ Judy Finnigan

©2016 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Classics Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural War & Military Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking War
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What listeners say about Half of a Yellow Sun

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desperate and tragic

Transports us to a history we are told and taught so little about. But written with colour and feeling.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing book

I was hooked the entire time!! I'm sad about Kainene though. Now for the movie

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Fantastic, Riveting, Tragic

I read Chinua Achebe's A man of the people as a mandatory literature set book in high school 2004-05. Ngozi, picks me up where Achebe left me, from post colonialism, cronyism politics and shameless tribalism. Independence was supposed to liberate Africans, but it only changed the oppresser from the British to local leaders. 'The world was silent when we died' perfectly captures the reality of the civil war. Outside Biafra the world moved on, even in Lagos. African countries failed to recognize Biafra for fear of breeding such rebellions among their own people. I had never fully understood the Biafra war until now. The problems that affected Nigeria in 1960s are same that affected my country Kenya leading to the Wagalla massacre, 2007 post election violence etc. My favourite character in this book is Ogu. His innocence, ambition, hope, hardwork and sheer determination. I loved the way the Author build this character, starting as house boy, to family friend, untrained teacher, fighter for the Biafra cause and so much more. The narration is enjoyable and memorable. Capturing the Igbo accents/mannerisms and mimicking real reactions. What happened in Biafra has happened time and again in many other African countries. People just don't learn.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting storytelling and amazing narration

I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Nigerian history, the characters are complex and the angle is unique. I especially enjoyed that there was no male gaze on the violence of war and no easy generalisations . The narrator did a seriously amazing job with all the different voices and accents. A movie for the ears!

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very emotional book

This novel shows different aspects of life in Nigeria during Biafra war. It is full of feelings.

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Great story and book.

Fantastic book. The narrator was terrible with the Igbo words which ruined the narration which made listening to it ruin the Nigerian effect

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enjoyed every second

Amazing how the narrator can change voices and accents this quick. The book is also a grate.

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So Happy I Chose This

Loved the story, the writing and the narration. A slice of African history and a fistful of fascinating characters. It is a long haul, but so worth it.

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Beautifully written, well narrated, evocative and informative

This book is essential reading (listening). A difficult and harrowing, at times, story is beautifully told with compassion and a tender attention to detail.
I feel so much richer for having heard this story.

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ezcellent

such a moving story. I didn't know the story of Biafra before and almost wish I didnt now. beautifully written and reaf

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22 people found this helpful