Book Review - Purple Hibiscus
Purple Hibiscus conjures peaceful images of beautiful flowers in a rare color, which makes them exotic and unexpected. In her novel, Purple Hibiscus, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gives readers a look at the peace and beauty a wealthy and much respected man shows to his community while abusing his wife and children an act that is unexpected considering his position in the community. The contradiction of what readers may expect from the title and what they receive after reading the book is similar to the contradictions of blurred lines Adichie examines in the novel.
Adichie wants readers to discover “...the blurred lines between childhood and adulthood, between love and hatred, between old gods and the new”. (Adichie back cover) A military coup has happened in Nigeria and the country braces itself as the military takes control and “...begins to fall apart...” Purple Hibiscus is written from the point of view of fifteen-year-old Kambili, the character readers will follow as she reminisces about the changes in her life over the past year. Much like the country Kambili’s family is also experiencing life-altering changes. The journey starts with Kambili stating “Things started to fall apart at home...” (Adichie 3) which feels like the reader will find out what is happening and will get more details about the outcome of the falling apart. However, in a cleaver keep them guessing turn Adichie takes the reader back to a time when Kambili thought things were normal before she explains what bought the family to the point of having things fall apart and the effect these events have on Kambili and her family.
Adichie delivers on her word and gives the reader “...the blurred lines between childhood and adulthood, between love and hatred, between old gods and the new”. (Adichie back cover) Even as a fifteen-year-old Kambili was not able to make any decisions on her own she always knew that whatever happened her “Papa would decide” (Adichie 130) what was best for her with or without her consent. However, within a year’s time Kambili enters adulthood and must make decisions not only for herself but also for her mother. Kambili’s mother is thankful that her husband did not leave her when she was unable to have additional children and thus spends many years enduring abuse at his hands. Telling her daughter “...your father stayed with me...” (Adichie 20) confirming her gratitude. “I started putting poison in his tea...” (Adichie 290) the mother states clearly showing that her love for her husband and the man that has abused both her
and her children has become hatred so strong that she has decided to end his life in order to save her family. Old religion is described as by the father as “...worshiping gods of wood and stone” (Adichie 47) he expects his family to worship correctly in the Catholic Church which is the new religion. Kambili discovers how comparable the two religions are as she observes her grandfather praying asking for forgiveness and blessings for himself and his family in the same manner as her father does when he prays for himself and his family.
Although fictional, Purple Hibiscus reminds us that abuse is often undetectable by coworkers, neighbors, school authorities and even extended family as illustrated by Adichie. Although in Purple Hibiscus, it is not clear if the abuse is undetected or disregarded because of the culture in which the family lives. Kambili’s father is known as “The one Who Does for the Community” (Adichie 56) so many may not confront the father in fear of upsetting him and losing his help.
Teenage girls are often like Kambili as the struggle to discover their place. Trying to find their voice, will struggling to maintain school grades, learning to feel accepted with peers and having the strength to stand up for themselves. It reminds adults that teenage girls have complications that they are afraid to talk about however, often with patients and a strong mentor such as Kambili’s aunt they are able to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.
Adechie has written an engaging novel giving enough details to keep the reader interested however, leaving enough unsaid that one must continue to read to uncover the mystery.
This novel is beneficial to anyone affiliated with a teenage girl as it may cause one to notice signs that the girl is having a difficult time and is unable to discuss the problem. Purple Hibiscus would benefit teachers and students involved in studies related to women and girls because of the discussion of abuse, disrespect and ultimately the strength of women and girls covered in the book. The book provides many points of conversation for anyone that is concerned about continuing to gain equality for women especially women living in societies with non-western traditions.
Eatheana West
Adichie wants readers to discover “...the blurred lines between childhood and adulthood, between love and hatred, between old gods and the new”. (Adichie back cover) A military coup has happened in Nigeria and the country braces itself as the military takes control and “...begins to fall apart...” Purple Hibiscus is written from the point of view of fifteen-year-old Kambili, the character readers will follow as she reminisces about the changes in her life over the past year. Much like the country Kambili’s family is also experiencing life-altering changes. The journey starts with Kambili stating “Things started to fall apart at home...” (Adichie 3) which feels like the reader will find out what is happening and will get more details about the outcome of the falling apart. However, in a cleaver keep them guessing turn Adichie takes the reader back to a time when Kambili thought things were normal before she explains what bought the family to the point of having things fall apart and the effect these events have on Kambili and her family.
Adichie delivers on her word and gives the reader “...the blurred lines between childhood and adulthood, between love and hatred, between old gods and the new”. (Adichie back cover) Even as a fifteen-year-old Kambili was not able to make any decisions on her own she always knew that whatever happened her “Papa would decide” (Adichie 130) what was best for her with or without her consent. However, within a year’s time Kambili enters adulthood and must make decisions not only for herself but also for her mother. Kambili’s mother is thankful that her husband did not leave her when she was unable to have additional children and thus spends many years enduring abuse at his hands. Telling her daughter “...your father stayed with me...” (Adichie 20) confirming her gratitude. “I started putting poison in his tea...” (Adichie 290) the mother states clearly showing that her love for her husband and the man that has abused both her
and her children has become hatred so strong that she has decided to end his life in order to save her family. Old religion is described as by the father as “...worshiping gods of wood and stone” (Adichie 47) he expects his family to worship correctly in the Catholic Church which is the new religion. Kambili discovers how comparable the two religions are as she observes her grandfather praying asking for forgiveness and blessings for himself and his family in the same manner as her father does when he prays for himself and his family.
Although fictional, Purple Hibiscus reminds us that abuse is often undetectable by coworkers, neighbors, school authorities and even extended family as illustrated by Adichie. Although in Purple Hibiscus, it is not clear if the abuse is undetected or disregarded because of the culture in which the family lives. Kambili’s father is known as “The one Who Does for the Community” (Adichie 56) so many may not confront the father in fear of upsetting him and losing his help.
Teenage girls are often like Kambili as the struggle to discover their place. Trying to find their voice, will struggling to maintain school grades, learning to feel accepted with peers and having the strength to stand up for themselves. It reminds adults that teenage girls have complications that they are afraid to talk about however, often with patients and a strong mentor such as Kambili’s aunt they are able to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.
Adechie has written an engaging novel giving enough details to keep the reader interested however, leaving enough unsaid that one must continue to read to uncover the mystery.
This novel is beneficial to anyone affiliated with a teenage girl as it may cause one to notice signs that the girl is having a difficult time and is unable to discuss the problem. Purple Hibiscus would benefit teachers and students involved in studies related to women and girls because of the discussion of abuse, disrespect and ultimately the strength of women and girls covered in the book. The book provides many points of conversation for anyone that is concerned about continuing to gain equality for women especially women living in societies with non-western traditions.
Eatheana West
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