HALF OF A YELLOW SUN SUMMARY AND REVIEW II BOOK BY CHIMANANDA NGOZI ADICHIE.

  

I love Adichie's writing and storytelling style. I first read her book-length essay 'we all should be feminists'. Being a feminist myself, I loved the book. Though, I want everyone (feminists and non-feminists) to read it because it is such an important read. I recently read HALF OF A YELLOW SUN by her and it did not disappoint me. 

Half of a yellow sun is historical fiction. It is a story about the Nigerian war told by the characters ~Ugwu, Ollanna, and Richard.

Ollanna and her twin sister, Kainene are the daughters of an influential chief. Odenigbo is a professor at Nsukka University. Ugwu is his houseboy. Ollanna and Odenigbo fall in love with each other after they met for the first time. Later, she moves to Nsukka to live with him. Richard is a British writer, who also moves to Nsukka, where he teaches in Nsukka university and also tries to write a book about igbo-ukwu art. 

Kainene and Richard met at a party and also, fall in love after their few more meetings. Odenigbo frequently entertains his colleagues at his house, where they have political debates. Richard also joins them after he moves to Nsukka. 

But the war changes the lives of all of them, drastically. Ollanna and Odenigbo had to leave their home with Odenigbo's baby, whom they call just 'baby' and Ugwu. They finally find refuge in a town called Umuhia. Richard goes to live with Kainene but they also had to move out from there. During the war, Ollanna, baby, Odenigbo, and Ugwu lived with Kainene and Richard. 

The main theme of the book is the war. Two deadly coups broke out due to the tensions between different ethnic groups. The Igbo people wanted to become independent and form the Republic of Biafra. But, they didn't get enough support. 

We observe the grave consequences of war as people die of starvation and diseases. Young girls getting raped in refugee camps by priests and soldiers. Young boys were forcefully taken to fight in the war. People losing their loved ones. In some cases, people just disappear. Their loved ones never got to know what happened to them.

The book also deals with the theme of love, friendship, and forgiveness. 

The characters are very real and flawed. No one is completely right or wrong. Though, I resonated with the character of Kainene the most.

Women empowerment is also one of the aspects of the book though it is not out there but can be seen through the powerful characters of Ollanna, Kainene, and their aunt. 

I found some parts of the book a little lengthy, but other than that I completely adored the book and definitely recommend it. Also, can not wait to read more of Adichie's work. 

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