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Tag: Chimamanda Adichie

  • Chimamanda Adichie releases another novel Dream Count today

    Chimamanda Adichie releases another novel Dream Count today

    Widely celebrated and award-winning author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, will today release her latest novel, Dream Count. This marks the end of a 10-year wait by devoted readers of her novels.

    The new book will be published by Knopf in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats, with an announced hardcover first printing of 250,000 copies.

    Last year, Adichie shared the news about the novel on her Instagram page.

    She wrote: “Dream Count is serious, curious, probing, and funny. The writing process has been arduous, but also filled with ardour. I am deeply excited about this book. I am so proud to have finished it. I cannot wait for my wonderful fans to read it.”

    Dream Count will be published simultaneously by Fourth Estate in the U.K. and Knopf Canada, and rights have been sold in 13 further territories. United States rights were sold by Sarah Chalfant of the Wylie Agency.

    Dream Count, which comes a decade after Americanah, also published by Knopf, is set in Nigeria and tells “the story of four women and their loves, longings, and desires”.

    In Nigeria, according to Roving Heights Bookstore, the book will be available from March 10, and would be going for between N15,000 to N20,000.

    In this new novel, Adichie tells the stories of four women and their loves, longings, and desires in a way that gets to the heart of our everyday struggle with affection.

    Chiamaka is a Nigerian travel writer living in America. Alone in the midst of the pandemic, she recalls her past lovers and grapples with her choices and regrets.

    Zikora, her best friend, is a lawyer who has been successful at everything until — betrayed and brokenhearted — she must turn to the person she thought she needed least.

    Omelogor, who is Chiamaka’s bold, outspoken cousin, is a financial powerhouse in Nigeria. She begins to question how well she knows herself.

    Read Also: VFD Group, Narrative Landscape host Chimamanda Adichie’s ‘Mama’s Sleeping Scarf’

    Finally, Kadiatou, who is Chiamaka’s housekeeper, is proudly raising her daughter in America but faces an unthinkable hardship that threatens all she has worked to achieve.

    Adichie’s novels have been translated into more than 55 languages. She is the author of Purple Hibiscus, which won the Commonwealth Writers Prize; Half of a Yellow Sun, which was the recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction “Winner of Winners” award; Americanah, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award; the story collection The Thing Around Your Neck and the essays: We Should All Be Feminists and Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, among other publications.

  • My brain didn’t work for a long time before, after arrival of my daughter – Chimamanda Adichie

    My brain didn’t work for a long time before, after arrival of my daughter – Chimamanda Adichie

    Renowned writer, Chimamanda Adichie has opened up on her motherhood struggles and how it affected her career as a novelist.  

    She said before and after the arrival of her daughter her creativity was struggling to develop.

    Adichie stated that if she had not given birth to her daughter she might have written two more novels.

    She, however, said that motherhood is a glorious experience and has brought a certain level of awareness that feeds her fiction.

    Read Also; Soludo splashes N4m on Academicals champions

    Adichie shared her experience during an interview on BBC’s Woman’s Hour.

    She said: “Becoming a mother is a glorious gift but it comes at a cost and I think it’s important to acknowledge that, right?

    “There is something that we… and I will say ‘lose’.

    “I felt that I could probably have written two novels had I not had my child. But I think that having her also sort of opened me up to this new, almost a new phase of experience and awareness that I’m hoping will feed my fiction.

    “Even before I had her, when I was pregnant, I felt as though my brain had been wrapped in gauze. So, my brain didn’t work for a long time. And just more creatively, I think I am making my way back because I am working on a novel finally. But I just wasn’t able to get into my fictional space for a long time.”

  • Chimamanda’s call

    WORLD-famous novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been reported to rue how Nigeria had been unfair to her native Ndigbo.

    PM News reported she planted trees in Asaba, as guest of Walter Jibunor, the equally world-famous environmentalist.  At that ceremony, she was quoted to have lamented the Igbo raw deal.

    She mentioned the best-forgotten Igbo massacre at Asaba, during the opening stages of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), by federal troops.  That indeed was a gory sight.

    She also recalled how Port Harcourt, Rivers State locals seized Igbo property, mainly real estate, claiming the property were “abandoned”.

    She then suggested the setting up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to thrash out these seedy sides of Nigerian history, and once and for all, reconcile everybody.  Beautiful!

    A Truth and Reconciliation Commission would hurt no one, so long as everyone involved is ready to be reconciled.  More importantly, everyone would bring their grievances into the open — away from one-sided narratives, an umpteenth pattern Chimamanda’s latest narration has followed.

    Read Also: Chimamanda Adichie fetes writers

    Indeed, Chimamanda’s is no different from Chinua Achebe’s swan song, There Was A Country.  They both follow the same theme of Igbo victimhood.

    But might the Igbo themselves have been unfair to others?  Not a few would answer in the affirmative.

    For starters, the abandoned property issue was no pan-Nigeria policy. It was more of former Eastern minorities (mainly now in the South-South), taking it out on their former Igbo majority, who some of them accused of domination.

    But beyond that intra-regional beef, is the Igbo sweeping narrative really fair to others, not really part of that injustice?  Shouldn’t the Igbo acknowledge those that looked after their interest, during those troubled times, as trenchantly as they condemn those who did them in?

    In Western Nigeria, for instance, there was nothing like “abandoned property”.  Indeed, many Igbo came back to Lagos, to be handed yields from their ventures while they were away.  Shouldn’t the Igbo acknowledge these acts of justice, even as they lament the other acts of injustice?

    And now that we are talking history, how fair were the regnant Igbo elite themselves, in those tragic days, after the first coup of January 1966?  Couldn’t the tragedy have been avoided with a little bit of restraint and circumspection, on their own part — particularly between that coup (that claimed mainly non-Igbo politicians and soldiers) and the Unification Decree, and its ogre of Igbo domination?

    The blunt fact is every part of the country can lament its nasty deal from the Nigerian common wealth — for this polity is replete with tales of domination, failed and successful.

    The writer is right: a thorough, honest and sincere Truth and Reconciliation Commission may well exhume all the rotten bones from all sides, before finally laying them to rest.

    But until then, all sides should eschew one-sided stories, of saints and sinners.  Those tales grate.  All sides have more than enough share of both.

  • Chimamanda Adichie, Ramla Ali, others grace British Vogue’s cover

    Award winning Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has featured alongside 14 other women on the cover of British Vogue 2019 September issue.

    The issue highlights the 15 world-leading women as those reshaping public life.

    This year’s issue of Vogue was guest edited by her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle alongside the magazine’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful. Meghan who is the first guest editor of the September issue in the magazine’s 103-year history, titles it ‘Forces for Change’. She selects an assemblage of women seen as ‘trailblazing change-makers, united by their fearlessness in breaking barriers’.

    “I seek to steer the focus of this year’s September issue. Through this lens, I hope you all would feel the strength of the collective in the diverse selection of women chosen for this Cover. I hope readers feel as inspired as I do by the ‘Forces for Change’ they’ll find within this pages” Meghan said.

    The cover features Chimamanda Adichie, alongside Ramla Ali(boxer), Adwoa Aboah(mental health campaigner and model), Jacinda Ardern(New Zealand Prime Minister), Jane Fonda(campaigner and actor), Jameela Jamil (body positivity activist and actor), Gemma Chan(campaigner and actor), Adut Akech(former refugee and model), Yara Shahidi(founder of Eighteen ×18 and actor), Christy Turlington Burns(founder of every mother counts), Sinèad Burke(diversity advocate and lecturer), Laverne Cox(LGBT advocate and actor), Salma Hayek Pinault(women’s rights advocate and actor), Francesca Hayward(royal ballet principal dancer) and Greta Thunberg(climate change campaigner and student).

    On the sixteenth space of the cover, a mirror was included which shows that anyone who holds the issue in hand, sees themselves as a collective. In addition to the mirror, the duchess’ influence upon this year’s issue drives home the message, that style is nothing without substance.

  • Nigerian feminist Chimamanda Adichie rocks Nola Black white shirt dress

    Nigerian novelist and feminist Chimamanda Adichie, was a guest of honour at Everybody Reads 2019 and she rocks her white monochrome outfit.

    Literary luminary writer stuns in a white shirt dress by Nigerian label Nola Black.

    She is known for her patronage and promotion of Nigerian labels.

    The event, held in Oregon, was in celebration of Adichie’s two works, `Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists’.

    READ ALSO: Preservation of mother tongues leads to development – Chimamanda Adichie

    Adichie took to her Instagram handle to share the photos — @Chimamanda_adichie.

    Adichie is a Nigerian novelist, writer of short stories, and nonfiction. She has written the novels Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Americanah.

    The short story collection The Thing Around Your Neck, and the book-length essay We Should All Be Feminists.

    With the selection of two titles, Everybody Reads 2019 offered an opportunity to explore a range of issues, including the experience of Africans in America and feminism in the 21st century.

    Adichie who is notably a huge fan of Nigerian designers and supporting the ‘Wear Nigerian’ cause, wore a simple yet super-stylish puff shirt dress from emerging brand Nola Black.

    She wore the white dress with a pair of opaque black leggings and black boots.

    NAN

  • Chimamanda Adichie to speak at Yale’s 2019 Class Day

    Acclaimed Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie 41, has been selected as the speaker in the during the Yale’s 2019 Class Day.

    Adichie graduated with a Master’s Degree from Yale in African History in 2008.

    The Class Day Planning Committee member, Shuyu Song said the writer was selected based on her ability to give a meaningful and memorable address to the class, says Yale Daily News.

    “The committee cannot imagine a better speaker to commemorate our four years at Yale than Adichie.

    “She is an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture,’’ he said.

    Most of the Class Day speakers selected in the past have been politicians, including former US secretary of state John Kerry and former US VP Joe Biden, former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power and Democratic nominee for president in 2016 Hillary Clinton.

    Adichie had written bestselling books including “We Should All Be Feminists,” “Americanah” and “The Thing Around Your Neck,” which have been translated into more than thirty languages.

    She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2015 and one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2017.

    Adichie graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2001 with a degree in communication and political science.

    She also has a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and honorary doctorates from Haverford College, Williams College, the University of Edinburgh, Duke University and Amherst College, among others.

    The writer also received a fellowship from the MacArthur Foundation in 2008, by which she was recognized as “a young writer who illuminates the complexities of human experience in works inspired by events in her native Nigeria.”

    She published her first collection of stories, “The Thing Around Your Neck,” in 2009, followed by “Americanah,” which was selected as one of the 10 best books of 2013 by The New York Times and in 2017 as the winner of the New York City mayor’s office’s One Book, One New York program.

    Adichie’s 2009 TED talk titled “The Danger of a Single Story” garnered upwards of 15 million views, making it one of the top 10 most-viewed TED videos.

    In 2012, Adichie delivered a TEDx talk “We Should All Be Feminists” about her views on gender and sexuality. Parts of the talk were later incorporated into Beyonce’s 2013 song, “Flawless.”

  • Chimamanda displeased over preferential treatment for women

    Renowned Nigerian author and feminist, Chimamanda Adichie has expressed her misgivings over some preferential treatments given to women.

    Adichie, spoke against men opening doors for women and tragedy aids given to women and children first, because they are perceived as weak while appearing on the Trevor Noah show, a daily show and an American programme on Thursday.

    The show is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning program that looks at the day’s top headlines through a sharp, reality-based lens.

    According to Adichie, opening the door for a woman should not be out of chivalry; rather, people should be open to helping and being courteous regardless of gender.

    She said, “I think just like holding the door shouldn’t be gender because we should open the door for everyone.

    “I hold the door for men and women. I think the idea of sort of holding the door for a woman because she is a woman, I have trouble with.

    “I’m quite happy for people to hold the door for me I hope they are not doing for the sort of idea of chivalry.

    Read Also: Women march for Ambode

    “Because chivalry is the idea of women are somehow weak and need protecting but we know that there many women who are stronger than men,” she said.

    She went on to express her disdain for the idea of people always saying women and children should be rescued first in times of tragedy, rather than saving the weak and unwell.

    Adichie said, “Which is also why I have issues with women and children when women are classified. When there is a tragedy and we say women and children should live first.

    “I think actually it is the people who are weak and unwell who should leave first,” she said.

    Reports have it that Adichie frequently comes under ‘fire’ over her unwavering feminist comments during interviews.

    Adichie trended in April when she said she was upset that the Twitter bio of former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, began with ‘wife’ despite her numerous achievement.

    Reports have it that Adichie’s feminism campaign has been a pivotal crux of her writing as her characters centre around powerful women who are usually dwarfed by the patriarchal system in their environments.

    Her TedX talk ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ was sampled on American singer Beyonce’s hit song ‘Flawless’ and was also part of Beyonce’s performance routine at 2018 Coachella.

    In 2017, Adichie released a small book titled – ‘Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions’.

    Her novel ‘Americanah’, was recognised as one of 15 remarkable books by women that are shaping the way fiction was being written and read in the 21st century.”

    NAN

  • Chimamanda ‘s view over Hillary Clinton’s bio sets twitter on fire

    Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie is in the news again for her feminist views for being `upset’ by former US Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton’s usage of `wife’ on her Twitter bio.

    Adichie, who is a renowned feminist fighting for the equality of male and female genders, asked the question at a PEN World Voices Festival lecture.

    She set twitter on fire when she said that Hillary Clinton seemed to describe herself as a function of her husband, Bill Clinton.

    Reacting to the interview, some Nigerians felt she took her feminism too far, adding that the question was intrusive and Hillary has a choice on her view on being addressed as a ‘Wife’.

    Meanwhile, some others argued that the question was necessary for women to understand that they have to celebrate their achievements, not just on the home front, just like men.

    Adichie to Hillary; “In your Twitter account, the first word that describes you is ‘Wife.’ And then I think its ‘Mom,’ and then it’s ‘Grandmother.”

    “And when I saw that, I have to confess that I felt just a little bit upset.

    And then I went and I looked at your husband’s Twitter account, and the first word was not ‘husband,” Adichie said.

    She was curious as to why with all of Clinton’s career accomplishments; did her Twitter bio primarily identify her as a “Wife”.

    Bill Clinton’s Twitter bio leads with, ‘Founder, Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States’.

    Adichie wanted to know if it was Clinton’s choice to first identify in relation to her husband, and if so, why?

    “When you put it like that, I’m going to change it,” Clinton said, prompting roars from the crowd.

    However, Clinton had pretty good explanation for why ‘Wife’ kicked- off her bio, which is that women should be able to celebrate both their accomplishments and their relationships.

    Here are some of the reactions:

    Popular blogger Linda Ikeji wrote @lindaikeji: I’m a big advocate for women empowerment, rights and indepencence but when I do marry, I’d proudly describe myself as a wife & proudly add my husband’s name to mine.

    “Proudly! if you don’t believe in that as a woman, that’s fine too #differentstrokesfordifferentfolks,’’

    @Linesandtimes tweeted, “Chimamanda said she was a bit upset by Hillary Clinton’s bio. Her intolerance for anything that does not align with her idea of feminism is really tragic.

    “A woman can be defined as anything she wants to be seen as, what’s important is that it’s her choice.”

    @Txtwistatornado wrote, “Lol I read the article, and I think it was great. I don’t think she disgraced Nigeria at all.

    “She got Hillary Clinton to re-evaluate the message she sends to women. I believe in a happy medium as a woman so I’m good with this interview.IMO”

    @SeunxTemi tweeted, “Not going to read all these. This is someone’s personal life Chimamanda thinks she has the right to criticize in such an unwarranted manner.

    “Hilary Clinton is a Queen and what her bio states shouldn’t diminish her numerous accomplishments.”

    @Realcalmday said, “If Hilary Clinton had a problem with what Chimamanda asked her, I believe she would’ve said so. Why are you people carrying the matter on your heads?”

    @Chinewubeze_mc wrote, “Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie went too far with this her feminism issue during her interview with Hilary Clinton today.”

    @Pengasonconcept tweeted, “So happy about how Hilary Clinton clarified Chimamanda on the true meaning of feminism.

    “Just because a woman is up to the same task as an average man on earth doesn’t stop them from knowing their true responsibilities in life.”

    NAN reports that Adichie’s feminism campaign has been a pivotal crux of her writing as her characters centre around powerful women who are usually dwarfed by the patriarchal system in their environments.

    Her TedX talk ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ was sampled on American singer Beyonce’s hit song ‘Flawless’ and was also part of Beyonce’s performance routine at 2018 Coachella.

    In 2017, Adichie released a small book titled – ‘Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions’.

    Recently, her novel ‘Americanah’, was recognised as one of 15 remarkable books by women that are shaping the way fiction was being written and read in the 21st century.”

    NAN

  • Nigerians applaud Beyonce for honouring Fela, Chimamanda at Coachella

    Some Nigerians on Twitter have applauded the American music star, Beyonce for paying tribute to Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and honouring Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie.

    Beyonce, who became the first black woman to headline Coachella on Saturday, did so with a two-hour performance and had her band perform a rendition of Fela’s 1976 classic ‘Zombie’.

    Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician and activist, who launched Afro-beat, which then fused American blues, jazz and funk with traditional Yoruba music.

    Nigerians were excited that she decided to honour two Nigerians, alongside other black legends including Nina Simone and Malcolm X.

    Nigerian singer, Emma Nyra wrote @emmanyra tweeted, “Beyonce just made me so proud to be who I am. Unapologetically black, female and talented. Our voice matters. She even paid tribute to Fela! I will forever be a fan.”

    @Blackdot_Mandy tweeted, “Beyonce just paid a tribute to Afroking and Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti during her Coachella performance. I stan Beyonce Knowles.”

    @Erhuwrites wrote, “Who else got chills when they heard Chimamanda’s voice at the end of Beyonce’s glorious performance at Coachella? I still have goose bumps.”

    @DrDendere tweeted, “Beyonce is now new level amazing. Chimamanda blasting out during her Coachella performance is life.”

    @Ganga_A wrote, “Within Beyonce’s Coachella performance in the little bit where the band was going off, they play Fela Kuti’s Zombie. This is why she is number one, a cultured queen and an unshakeable throne.”

    @KLCHII tweeted, “Beyonce really brought Fela to Coachella with that lil hook.”

    The ‘irreplaceable’ crooner also featured Chimamanda Adichie’s speech ‘We Should All Be Feminists’, which was sampled on her song ‘Flawless’,  at the end of her performance.

    Adichie is a multi award winning writer and her second book ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ won the Orange Prize.

    Beyonce has been trending since after her performance for the groundbreaking routine, song selections and surprises, including bringing her defunct group ‘Destiny Child’ on stage.

    She performed old classics of the group with former members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams; and her husband music power-weight Jay Z.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ayodeji Balogun aka Wizkid is billed to perform at Coachella next weekend on April 21.

    The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival commonly referred to as Coachella or the Coachella Festival is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, located in the Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert.

    NAN

  • Chimamanda Adichie makes top 50 world leaders list

    Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie has been named amongst the 50 greatest world leaders in the 2017 Fortune magazine ranking.

    The ‘Half of a yellow sun’ writer was ranked at number 42 on the list with Chicago Cubs baseball team president Theo Epstein at number one.

    http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/chimamanda-adichie-42/

    Business mogul Jack Ma of AliBaba group of companies appears at number two and Catholic leader Pope Francis is in third place for his social integration projects as a clergy.

    Melinda Gates is number four in recognition of the impact of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which she co-chairs.

    The list also features celebrated basketball player, LeBron James at 11, comedienne Samantha Bee at 19.

    Colombian music superstar Shakira is at 27 for her philanthropic work through her Pies Descalzos (Barefoot) school foundation.

    Just outside of the top five is Ava DuVernay recognized for her directorial work in Academy Award winning film, Selma and her forthcoming Disney adaptation, A Wrinkle in Time.

    Chance the Rapper checks in at number 46, the 23-year-old hip-hop star is commended for his willingness to remain an independent artist and release his music for free and his education philanthropy in his Illinois, Chicago hometown.

    Adichie’s book ‘Americanah’ recently won the “One Book, One New York” campaign from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in partnership with BuzzFeed.