I enjoyed this book for the superb character development, interesting plot, and the educational value it provides about life in Nigeria at the time. Kambili is an excellent protagonist, for her weaknesses, like her unyielding obedience towards her father, make her believable, while her strengths keep you rooting for her. All the characters are multi-faceted; for instance, Amaka develops over time from being critical and harsh to being empathetic and warm, while still maintaining her characteristic directness and shrewdness. Additionally, the plot is entertaining in its unconventionality: It starts off slowly, reaches a climax, and directly follows with a series of shocking plot twists and rapid-paced events, ending with a very short denouement. This book provided knowledge about Nigerian life, as well as the overarching issues caused by blind devotion to religion. However, I can’t say that this book was a page-turner until the end; the first three quarters were difficult to get through at times. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the social issues in Nigeria, including struggles with religion, poverty, and some economical issues. I’d also recommend it as a good coming-of-age book, as Kambili experiences all the things that most teenagers do: competition in school, sibling rivalry, crushes, and realizing the world isn’t as small as it once seemed. It’s certainly a book that made me think deeply about my own life and empathize with Kambili throughout.
Reviewed by Laurel A. Grade 10