Edozie Udeze writes on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigeria’s literary sensation whose novel Americanah, has just been named by the New York Times as one of the Top Best Books of 2013.The book is also number one on the BBC’s list of the Top 10 Books of 2013.
IT was the late Professor Chinua Achebe, Africa`s foremost storyteller who first endorsed her immense talent, he described her “as a storyteller who came almost fully made.” With these words, Achebe immediately drew world attention to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, as one of the best future literary giant the world was yet to witness. To him, she is a writer who tells her story with clear distinction, crisp description and power.
In the past ten years or so, Adichie`s literary works have garnered more attention, taking the world by surprise. In Americanah, she succeeded in forcing the world to think along with her to three continents of Africa, Europe and America, where she reflected on the ever-turbulent issue of migration, racial relationship across continents and among peoples of different backgrounds.
This was why indeed the book has just been named one of the Top 10 Best Books of 2013 by the New York Times. In England also, Americanah was voted number one on the BBC`s list of the top 10 Books of 2013. The recognition caught the attention of the world not only because New York Times is noted as the most prestigious newspaper in the world, but because it has a team of seasoned literary eggheads whose primary responsibility is to brainstorm on topical issues of this nature. Thus, the list selected from thousands of books published worldwide each year, is usually eagerly awaited by the world and most keen watchers of events in the literary sector.
Dealing with race relations
In handing down its verdict, the New York Times described Americanah as ‘tender and trenchant’, a novel with deep and profound feelings that takes on the “comedy and tragedy of American race relations.” In one breath, she was described as a fearless writer who is not afraid to tread dangerous paths. The book Americanah equally proves that the world is not merely a globalised village, but also that the stories of its peoples should be told at all times.
And because these stories must be told for the purpose of creating the desired awareness, Adichie has proved that “there`s nothing too humble or daunting or discouraging for this fearless writer.” In other words, as a writer, she is promptly and precisely “attuned to the various worlds and shifting selves in which we inhabit, in life and online, as agent and victims of history and the heroes of our own stories”
In its own assessment, the BBC observed that “Chimamanda Adichie is supremely smart.” With Americanah, which crisscrosses borders, she proves she is also “supremely funny.” This is an accolade that is not just brilliantly acknowledged but which has also lent credence to the story telling acumen and prowess often exhibited by Adichie.
She is unsparing in her usage of words as potent literary weapon to tear at issues. What`s the difference between an African American and an American- African? This is one theme the book has brought to the fore and Adichie is not shying away from the fact that that story is also talking to her, exploring her own experience as an African-American.
Ifemelu, the heroine of the book stands out as a bridge between what peoples of African descent experience once they leave the shores of Africa. Indeed, Adichie once admitted that the story of Ifemelu is partly her story in her quest to make it in a world polarized along racism and inequality. From that experience therefore sprang a deep-seated discussion of race in which living both in Nigeria and in the United States of America helps to make her self-aware, imbuing in her the zeal to be a great thinker and writer
For her as a writer, there shouldn`t be any sacred cows. A story has to be told in such a way as to permeate souls, no matter whose ox is gored. In more ways than one, Americanah is a criticism of social issues. It is not only broad-based in its appeal, it takes a cursory look at and examines blackness in America, Nigeria and Britain, focusing more exclusively on the universality of human experience, human foibles and the like. This is where Ifemelu comes in to prove to the world how smart she is by surviving this racially- charged atmosphere and showing that even when all odds stare one in the face one can still make it.
According to Dr. Austine Amanze Akpuda, a literature teacher at the Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, the tendency for Adichie to find her focus is partly caused by her closeness to the two worlds – Nigeria and America. And a good storyteller should never lose touch with her people, the people who provide her with primary source of materials. He said “Every writer has his/her season. There was a time between 1958 and 1962 when the two dominant names were Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka. However, in terms of consistent, overwhelming and infectious global reach and appeal, it wouldn`t be exaggeration to state that we are in the age of Chimamanda.”
In his own tribute, Chijoke Uwasomba, another literature teacher at OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, stated that this is a well deserved award. It puts Adichie in world reckoning as one of the best of her time. Said he “It is an acknowledgement of the power of her enviable place in the pantheon of African letters. Her contribution has added more vibrancy and deserved attention in the struggle to give voices to the otherwise neglected groups in our society. It is also another recognition and acknowledgment of Achebe for Adichie by every necessary implication by deservedly one of Achebe`s literary children from her ouvre. For Adichie therefore it is morning yet on profound creation”
Her trajectories
Born on September 15, 1977 in Enugu, Adichie got married four years ago to a medical doctor named Ivara Alistair Esege. Esege is of mixed parentage. While his father is from Cross River State, his mother is British. Not many people are aware that Adichie who once described matrimony as ‘very dangerous’ is happily married. During one of her outings in Lagos in company of her hubby, Adichie described him as “Nigerian, American and British.” The couple often makes their time between Nigeria, Britain and America and this forms the bulk of the story replicated in Americanah. Like most writers, she often puts herself into her works. Today she is considered the best thing that has happened to Nigerian literature.
In one of her comments recently, she said, “This may sound slightly mystical. But I sometimes feel as if my writing is something bigger than I am. I am always thinking about death and love, for both go hand in hand.”
Every year, Adichie returns home to her village Abba in Anambra State, where she communes with her folks. She attends festivals and events with them gathering more information for her new works. At this period she doesn`t want to be distracted. The comparison of Christmas period in Americanah where winter and harmattan haze are used symbolically serves the purpose here. “Are they teaching children that a Christmas is not real unless snow falls like it does abroad?”
In 2003, That Harmattan Morning, was selected as joint winner of BBC short story award. Decisions a collection of poems was written in 1997, followed by For love of Biafra in 1998. In 2002 she was shortlisted for the Caine Prize for her short story-You in America. Her first novel Purple Hibiscus won the Commonwealth Writers Prize in 2007 while her second novel Half of a Yellow Sun won the Orange prize, among other numerous awards. She is no doubt destined to climb higher in the world literary firmament.
