"Grandpapa used to say, about difficulties he had gone through, 'It did not kill me, it made me knowledgeable.' O gburo m egbu, o mee ka m malu ife."
"I remember."
"There are some things that are so unforgivable that they make other things easily forgivable," Kainene said.
(Adichie, C. N. Half of a Yellow Sun. p. 435. United States of America: Anchor Books, 2007).
I firstly want to thank Heidi Zeigler for having lent me this fine book. Half of a Yellow Sun is an intense book that tells about the Nigeria-Biafra War. Even though this is not the first book I read that is based in Nigeria, it feels as if this is my first approach to Nigeria's history. Ms Adichie achieves portraying a Nigerian mood, especially by including words in Igbo, that got me quite involved in the story. Her blunt treatment of classism, xhenophobia, and racism certainly reminded me of some unfortunate aspects that also happen here in Mexico.
One of the things I enjoyed particularly about reading this book is that it taught me about real events in other parts of the world. Each time I have the opportunity to expand my knowledge and undestanding of human history I feel grateful for being aware of more of it. It was harrowing to read about the desolation that comes with war but at the same time it was amazing how Ms Adichie is able to convey these feelings of desperation through her writing.
Reading this book also reminded me how similar humans are despite our being in different sides of the world. This is something I wish I had more present in my mind.
Reading this book also reminded me how similar humans are despite our being in different sides of the world. This is something I wish I had more present in my mind.
