What do readers think of Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie? Write your own review.

This is a heartbreaking book. And while I believe this may very well be great literature, it is not a book one should read lightly. It is absolutely devastating.

Written by the inimitable Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the lyrical, sometimes gritty prose will take you on a Nigerian journey of family, misguided love, violent secrets, and the psychological breakdown of two children.

Eugene Achike is a very wealthy and generous man, who is powerful because of his money. He and his wife, Beatrice, and their two teenaged children Jaja, 17, and Kambili, 15, live in a gated mansion with servants, plenty of food, and luxuries …more most Nigerians will never see. But this is not a happy home. Eugene, a fanatic Catholic who singlehandedly financially supports the local church, cruelly rules his wife and children with an iron fist. He doles out discipline, which typically involves unspeakable violence, for the slightest infractions. For 10 days, Jaja and Kambili are permitted to visit with their aunty and cousins, who live in small flat in a university town where everything from fuel to chicken is carefully rationed but where love, laughter, and singing abound. After their father makes a startling discovery about their short visit, Jaja and Kambili must return home immediately, and the terror and defiance that ensues tests Kambili's very heart and soul. The denouement is stark, chilling, and absolutely perfect.

Functioning stylistically as a shadow to the narrative of the Achike family is the secondary story of a government in chaos with political unrest, daring defiance, and violent disturbances.

Told in Kambili's first person, elegiac voice with utter candor, this remarkable coming-of-age story will alternately inspire in readers rage and sympathy, anger and compassion. It is an unforgettable and emotional tale of the power of the human psyche in that liminal space between love and hate.

Bonus: The vivid and colorful descriptions of Nigeria—from earthworms crawling in a sparkling white tub to the intense heat before a drenching rain—are so realistic that you will feel transported to the heart of Africa. (less)

I liked this book the most and I am having my MA thesis on it.

The book purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adiche is a captivating and interesting story that kept me on edge till the last page of it. The part that I fancy most is the dispute between Eugene and his father (i.e Kambili's grand father) over religion. Well written. I must commend Miss Adiche for a wonderful piece of work.

The book purple hibiscus is a very influential book and very inspiring, it teaches a lesson to all parents most especially fathers: they should not try to keep their children in bondage or stop them from being exposed to things that would help them. I cite an example when Kambili and her brother went to their aunt's house fora holiday. They were not used to playing with other children of their age, instead they avoided them.
Also a good Christian must learn to portray his true nature both outside and on the inside. We should never be a chameleon to people around us. For example Kambili's father portrayed himself …more as a chameleon by doing good to outsiders and being brutal to his family. (less)

Interesting! excellent!! well written novel by an epitome of the African woman.....Mrs Adichie. It captures man's inhumanity to man especially during military rule in Nigeria and also the negative effects of religious fanaticism and hypocrisy.

Chimamanda is actually a prolific writer, the book is very interesting and straightforward, a must read for everyone, especially students preparing for their final exams in Nigeria!

The book is rattling good reading. It is intelligible and comprehensive. The language used is straightforward and decipherable.

I don't really read many story books but I found this to be absolutely ok for me personally as the best I have ever read.