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Purple Hibiscus

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Purple Hibiscus

Written by: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
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About this listen

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
Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

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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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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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
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I've always loved the bold and unfearful ways of African fic

African fic is one of my favorite genres that I enjoy. The bold and unfearful ways the author puts reality is commendable. I loved Purple Hibiscus and enjoyed the narration. The story is told from POV of a 16 year old Kambili who lives with her older brother,mmother, and father. Kambili's father is a philanthropist, a good man in the eyes of the society. But behind the closed doors, he beats his family when they go against any of his set Orthodox rules. The story explores the growth of Kambili.

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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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Good narration

This was my first read/audio of an African author and made me realise even if we pan across globe and oceans separate us, we are all so alike and experiences so similar. Wow!
Narrator was so good, and I loved that the pauses and gulps of the narrator isn’t muted or edited. Made it more personal somehow, like listening to your aunts or someone in the family. Cuz we talk to each other we hear everything, the breathing, the gulps, the coughs, the sips of water etc.
Thanks for keeping it real.

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