The book of today is a Novel, PURPLE HIBISCUS by a Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She is one of my top favorite authors. I admire her for her confidence and authenticity. I love the way she uses literature to tackle sensitive matters such as feminism and racism. She is smart and brilliant; I love her mind.
Purple hibiscus is Adichie’s first book, it was published in 2003. It is a fiction story narrated by Kambili, a 15 years old very quiet girl. This novel takes us into her mind and allows us to see through her eyes what was happening around her. The book revolves around silence, freedom, individuality, Catholicism and Nigerian traditions. Main ideas of the novel: 1.Domestic violence: Kambili’s father, Eugene is a significant man in Enugu state. He owns many factories and publishes a popular newspaper. People love him: he pays school fees for a big number of children, gives money to the poor and he is the most important pillar at st Agnes’s church. His family looks happy and privileged from the outside but how about from the inside: "privileged maybe but happy no'" Even if Eugene is a very catholic man, he is also very strict and violent. He physically and emotionally abuses Kambili, her brother (Jaja) and their mother. He once poured hot water on Kambili and Jaja just because they had been in the same house as their grand-father (Eugene’s father, Papa-Nnukwu). The old man had refused to follow missionaries, he still prayed to their traditional gods. Eugene refers to him as pagan and doesn’t want his own kids to be like Papa-Nnukwu. However, he is a cool old man who tells great stories, Kambili and Jaja wish they could spend more time with him. Kambili’s mother had 2 miscarriages because Eugene used to fight her so hard when she was pregnant. Kambili, Jaja and their mother live in a fearful silence, they are completely dominated by Eugene who decides everything for everyone. 2.Kambili struggles to find her personality: “I cannot control even the dreams that I have made.” Kambili never thinks about what she wants. Before doing anything, she asks herself if her father would approve or not. She struggles hard to make him happy so he can’t be angry and fight them. Once, she came home with the 2nd position in class exam, something her father never tolerates. Kambili was very upset and ready to be punished, just because she didn’t bring the 1st position as Eugene wishes. At school kids think she is weird and snob. She has no friends and never socializes with her colleagues. They assume she is this kind of rich kid who spends their holidays in London but she spends them studying hard, in fear of not finishing the next semester on the first position and being strongly beaten by his father. 3.She Discovers happiness in her aunt’s home: Aunty Ifeoma, Eugene’s sister is the most vibrant character of the story and my favorite. She is a widow and a mother of 3. Though she is financially struggling, she has created a happy environment for her children to grow in. They are in the same age range as Kambili and Jaja but they seem to be much grown up and responsible. Ifeoma is also catholic but she is very flexible, she is the one looking after Papa-Nnukwu, she takes her children to visit and spend some time with him, she calls Papa-Nnukwu a traditionalist instead of a pagan as his brother does. Ifeoma and her kids are very outspoken, fearless and they have a very loud laughter. During the time Kambili and his brother spent in the warmth and love of their aunty’s home, they have learned to laugh more, to speak up and to decide for themselves. Ifeoma and her kids, later moved to The USA. 4.Kambili fell in love with a priest: “People have crushes on priests all the time, you know. It’s exciting to have to deal with God as a rival.” He is handsome and youthful, a new generation’s priest. Father Amadi is a good friend to Aunty Ifeoma’s family. One day he came to dinner when Kambili was around, since then he is interested in what is going on in this shy girl’s mind. He wants to make her talk. He used to take her to a local stadium to play with boys he teaches football. Father Amadi sometimes shows himself playful complimenting Kambili about her beautiful legs when she is wearing shorts. He also takes Kambili to a saloon in the neighborhood to do her hair. One evening, Kambili declares her flame to Father Amadi who explains to her that, while he cares deeply about her, he cannot enter into a relationship with her because he is devoted to the Church. Later, this priest was sent for a mission in Germany. He kept in touch with Kambili, they exchanged letters. 5.Kambili’s mother surprised us: Beatrice has been silent, all along the course of the novel. She is a very submissive woman, the only time we hear her talk is when she is saying in a very low voice “do what your father says”. She is consistently abused by her husband; she watches him strongly beat her two babies and she keeps quiet. No one can help her, no one can believe her. As days go, Beatrice can’t cope with Eugene's behavior and she arranges with their maid (Sisi) to put poison in his tea. Eugene is found dead at his work desk. After an autopsy, the police arrive and Jaja takes the blame for his mother's crime, he spends three years in prison. Being the first born, Jaja had always blamed himself not being able to protect his mother and sister from their abusive father. He was proud to take responsibility for the crime. When jaja came back from prison, the family was ready to start fresh. 6.By the way, why is the book called Purple hibiscus: Hibiscuses are usually pink, red or white. kambili and jaja are surprised to see a purple hibiscus in Aunty Ifeoma’s garden. It was created by her botanist friend. They are amazed by the beauty of the flower and jaja takes some stalks of it back to their home and plants them there. They didn't know hibiscuses could be purple, the same way they didn't know people could be happy and free. This flower is considered as a symbol of their freedom and happiness hence the name of the book. Unarguably all Chimamanda works are great, be it fiction or nonfiction. PURPLE HIBISCUS might not be her best book but it is special in its way. it is her first publication; she’s put an incredible innocence and an enjoyable poetry. Even though this is a fiction story, it is the reality of what used to happen in many African homes (still happening today). Domestic violence is real, it is in the news headlines every day, it causes serious mental health problems and leads to unappropriated rushed decisions. To be honest, I don't really know what to say about domestic abuse, maybe I can encourage victims to report the crime and leave if necessary. But then again I wonder if I can report my own father and if I had to decide to leave home, where will I go? I hope the summary finds useful. see you next Monday.
14 Comments
Anne
6/22/2020 17:18:38
Well done my sister!!! novels like these should be a reminder of what's really happening, and it affects mentally not only the women but also their children.
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Ishyapluma
6/22/2020 18:16:45
Thank you Anne for your never-ending support
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Eve
6/22/2020 18:00:07
📚👏👏
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Mimi
6/22/2020 18:02:38
Domestic violence is happening everywhere in the world especially in africa and people are still hidding it...thx D😘
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Ishyapluma
6/22/2020 18:14:22
I do agree, but it is not easy to speak up. People living in abusive home need to consistently be reminded that their mental health matters.
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Anatholie
6/23/2020 15:55:03
well interesting content !!
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Patrick Elie
7/3/2020 23:00:28
My sister likes to tell me, once a man raises his hand to fight his wife, he is no longer a man but a coward! It's easy to see domestic violence solely in physical offence but maybe the mental is even worse! Thanks for the review Den!
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Who's behind the blogHello I am Denyse INEZA
My blog's name "ishyapluma" is made of two words ishya and pluma. Ishya from my mother tongue(kinyarwanda)means prosperity and pluma is a Spanish word for pen. Being very introverted, I started blogging because I was so inside my head and I needed a way to get out of it. later on it became a way of reaching out to my audience. I now write to influence, to inspire and to give hope for a prosperous future to me as well as to everyone reading this blog. I write to heal. Welcome to Ishyapluma! Contact: +250784266072 Archives
June 2021
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