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Purple Hibiscus

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Purple Hibiscus

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
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About this listen

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a 2003 O Henry Prize winner, and was shortlisted for the 2002 Caine Prize for African Writing and the 2004 Orange Prize. In Purple Hibiscus, she recounts the story of a young Nigerian girl searching for freedom. Although her father is greatly respected within their community, 15-year-old Kambili knows a frighteningly strict and abusive side to this man. In many ways, she and her family lead a privileged life, but Kambili and her brother, Jaja, are often punished for failing to meet their father’s expectations. After visiting her aunt and cousins, Kambili dreams of being part of a loving family. But a military coup brings new tension to Nigeria and her home, and Kambili wonders if her dreams will ever be fulfilled. Adichie’s striking and poetic language reveals a land and a family full of strife, but fighting to survive. A rich narration by South African native Lisette Lecat perfectly complements this inspiring tale.

©2003 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Africa Dream Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"One of the best novels to come out of Africa in years." ( The Baltimore Sun)
“Prose as lush as the Nigerian landscape that it powerfully evokes. . . . Adichie's understanding of a young girl's heart is so acute that her story ultimately rises above its setting and makes her little part of Nigeria seem as close and vivid as Eudora Welty's Mississippi.” ( The Boston Globe)
"A sensitive and touching story of a child exposed too early to religious intolerance and the uglier side of the Nigerian state." (J. M. Coetzee)
All stars
Most relevant
I loved this book but right from the start I felt there was something problematic with the narration, why did the characters internal voice speak with and english accent, it just did not feel right. I looked the narrator up at the end of the book and low and behold it was a white woman reading. I do think that this is a very big mistake and frankly detracted from what was a really great book. The author herself is black nigerian and the book is set completely in Nigeria so why get a white woman to read it. There are simply too many good African, Nigerian, voices out there and to not use one a 100% mistake. I suggest you get this done again and in the right voice for the story!

Why this particular narrator

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If you could sum up Purple Hibiscus in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing emotional justified
Listen to this book on audible. I like the way the book was written, the story line was great detailing what exactly happened in a country foreign to me therfore I was able to picture it well. I felt angry a lot of the times and ashamed to say I loved the ending! Cant wait to read Adichie's other books.

Any additional comments?

The one thing I did not like was an English accent reading a Nigerian book. It took me a long while to get my head around it. She did well in trying to pronounce the words but I would have like to hear the author herself or similar read the book.

Great story

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such a moving book, beautifully written and full of powerful themes. I couldn't put it down.

beautifully written and heartbreaking

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What a shame to have such brilliant gripping story telling spoiled by a reader who places the story in South Africa by accent rather than Nigeria. Stumbling over names of places and branding out the emotion. Time for a re-record with a west African at the least reader.

Gripping story spoiled by white South African reader.

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A very good representation of African writing. Spot on illustration to bring the characters alive

Nsukka

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