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Purple Hibiscus

Written by: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
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Publisher's Summary

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a 2003 O Henry Prize winner, and was shortlisted for the 2002 Caine Prize for African Writing and the 2004 Orange Prize. In Purple Hibiscus, she recounts the story of a young Nigerian girl searching for freedom. Although her father is greatly respected within their community, 15-year-old Kambili knows a frighteningly strict and abusive side to this man. In many ways, she and her family lead a privileged life, but Kambili and her brother, Jaja, are often punished for failing to meet their father’s expectations. After visiting her aunt and cousins, Kambili dreams of being part of a loving family. But a military coup brings new tension to Nigeria and her home, and Kambili wonders if her dreams will ever be fulfilled. Adichie’s striking and poetic language reveals a land and a family full of strife, but fighting to survive. A rich narration by South African native Lisette Lecat perfectly complements this inspiring tale.

©2003 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC
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Critic Reviews

"One of the best novels to come out of Africa in years." ( The Baltimore Sun)
“Prose as lush as the Nigerian landscape that it powerfully evokes. . . . Adichie's understanding of a young girl's heart is so acute that her story ultimately rises above its setting and makes her little part of Nigeria seem as close and vivid as Eudora Welty's Mississippi.” ( The Boston Globe)
"A sensitive and touching story of a child exposed too early to religious intolerance and the uglier side of the Nigerian state." (J. M. Coetzee)

What listeners say about Purple Hibiscus

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engaging Narration

excellent performance and coupled with an engaging story leads to a superb listen. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book and narration but editing not good

loved the book but the pauses and gulps from the narrator aren't edited out.
otherwise adichi's writing is always beautiful

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Decent

Good story. I want to say good narration as well, but there are parts where you can hear the narrator swallowing or drawing in a deep breath and some background noises which get irritating especially if you're using earphones. Don't know if it's a problem with the editing. Overall a good one time listen.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A good one time read!!

My rating: 3/5

The book is actually a refined version of personal diary of a 16-year girl from a rich and influential famly, written in the backdrop of the political turmoil that encircled post-colonial Nigeria.

The book is written in a fluent first person tone which made me listen in one go, though the pace of the novel seemed (to me) very slow and even listening at 2x speed didn’t feel apt enough. As the series of events are viewed through the eyes and mind of a adolescent teen, all political affairs, military coups, family rigmaroles et al are vaguely built up somewhere backstage while her personal experiences and expressions of the world and people around, are given the frontstage. That was comprehensible, as that is how a kid ought to see complex worldly situations with her yet-growing sensibilities.

The book leaves a lot on the readers to visualize, keeping in mind post-colonial Nigeria. The author elaborated on various social issues like poverty, religious influences, military administration etc. but everything was kept open to be perceived, nothing solidified. So, it is advisable to read a bit about Nigeria and its socio-polictical situation before starting the book, so that you can visualize effectively.

Overall, a good one time read!!

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