Half of a Yellow Sun

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Narrated by: Zainab Jah

NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST • From the award-winning, bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists—a haunting story of love and war. • Recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction “Winner of Winners” award.

With effortless grace, celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie illuminates a seminal moment in modern African history: Biafra's impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic in southeastern Nigeria during the late 1960s. We experience this tumultuous decade alongside five unforgettable characters: Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old houseboy who works for Odenigbo, a university professor full of revolutionary zeal; Olanna, the professor’s beautiful young mistress who has abandoned her life in Lagos for a dusty town and her lover’s charm; and Richard, a shy young Englishman infatuated with Olanna’s willful twin sister Kainene.

Half of a Yellow Sun is a tremendously evocative novel of the promise, hope, and disappointment of the Biafran war.

Good book, sad ending

I didn't know anything about the Nigerian civil war or even that they had one before this book. I didn't realize what kind of story I was getting myself into. I come away with learning about some history. But the last few chapters left me feeling depressed :( I didn't enjoy that aspect, and rarely do I come across a book with a sad ending. I gave 4 stars for the depressing ending. The book was well written. I was throughly engaged and immersed in the story with the characters, I could feel myself being there in the scenes and feeling my emotions as if I were there.

Good book but skip the audio

Good book but better as a physical copy than on audio. I usually listen to audiobooks while I multitask but this book required more focus imo so I think it would’ve been better to read a hard copy.

wonderful, educational narrative

both the author and the narrator have true gifts for story telling. I particularly liked learning about a civil war and country I had never heard of before. I feel inspired to educate myself much more!

Brilliant

I was transformed and transcended into Biafra. I now understand my Igbo brothers and sisters. Thank you ❤️

The rising sun shall rise someday

Beautifully written and beautifully read. Thank you so much I truly appreciate the time and effort you put in the story, it was all worth it.