Book No. 64 of 2020
I really enjoyed this book, to the point that I started questioning if I’ve somehow become less critical of a reader, because this is the fourth book in a row I have thoroughly enjoyed without reserve.
Americanah scratches some of my favorite itches: baffled immigrant observations of how weird and paradoxical American culture can be, a coming-of-age journey with all its mistakes and lessons, cringey encounters with clueless people (at one point I had to put the book down and text two other friends who had read the book, “Man these benevolent racists are really stressful!!!”)
The book also serves up amazing blog posts written by the main protagonist, who as a Nigerian immigrant documents her observations and experiences with Blackness in America—they are still terribly relevant (and I had to fight the urge to copy the text of those posts and plaster them everywhere). Adichie masterfully illustrates the differences between all the identities that, in America, are so often lumped into one category of “other.” And although I come from an entirely different cultural heritage and immigrant background as the protagonists, Adichie’s writing about Nigeria, about the dual yearning to always be in the other place, about navigating the tensions of cultural differences and ignorance, felt incredibly familiar and resonant.
Similar Reads
Some of the passages and themes reminded me fondly of the “Little America” series on Apple TV+, which I highly, highly recommend.
Ifemelu’s blog posts, dinner party discussions, and attempts to educate a white boyfriend remind me of the “Dear White People” series on Netflix.
Some of the specific details and themes about interracial dating—specifically being a WOC dating a white guy—reminded me of Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang.