Title: Purple Hibiscus
Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Genre: Literary Fiction
Year of Publication: 2003
Date of Publication: October 30, 2003
Pages: 307
ISBN-10: 1616202416
ISBN-13: 978-1616202415
Audiobook Narrator: Lisette Lecat
Summary of Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Purple Hibiscus is a novel that follows the story of Kambili Achike. Kambili is a 15 year old girl and lives in Nigeria with her parents and her brother, Jaja. Her father, Eugene, runs the household under very strict rules with high expectations, and presents himself as a devout catholic. He expects the same from his family, a certain level of perfection that includes perfect grades and good religious practices.
Eugene is successful, runs many factories and also owns the Standard Newspaper. We learn about Ade Coker, who is Eugene’s Editor at the Newspaper. Ade writes articles calling out the military regime, criticizing their actions, and calling for change. Because of his constant criticisms he is often picked up and treated poorly to prevent the criticisms. But Ade does not relent.
When Kambili and her brother, Jaja, spend time with their aunt Ifeoma and their cousins in Nsukka, they experience a world filled with freedom, laughter, and warmth. This contrast forces Kambili to confront the harsh realities of her family’s dynamics and question her father’s authority.
Main Themes and Characters
- Kambili Achike – A young girl and the narrator of the story who spent most of her life trying to win the approval of her father.
- Jaja (Chukwuka Achike) – Kambili’s older brother.
- Papa (Eugene Achike) – Kambili and Jaja’s strict, wealthy, and extremely religious father.
- Mama (Beatrice Achike) – Kambili and Jaja’s submissive mother.
- Aunty Ifeoma – Eugene’s outspoken and liberal sister, who is a university professor.
- Amaka – Aunty Ifeoma’s teenage daughter who is around the same age as Kambili and is her cousin.
- Obiora – Aunty Ifeoma’s intelligent and confident son.
- Chima – Aunty Ifeoma’s youngest child.
- Father Amadi – A young, charismatic priest whom Kambili develops feelings for when she visits Aunty Ifeoma in Nsukka.
- Papa-Nnukwu – Eugene and Ifeoma’s father who is a traditionalist and whom Eugene disapproves of because of his religious choices.
The story mixes in themes of political unrest, personal growth, and the power of love and courage in breaking cycles of abuse. A lot of Kambili’s experiences show just how complex religion is and how it can sometimes be used as both a source of strength and a tool for control. The story also touches on themes of oppression, freedom, domestic violence, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
Writing Style
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s descriptions bring Nigeria’s cultural landscape to life. Everything from her descriptions of the street hawkers, peeled oranges, unripe udara fruit, roasted corn and ube, the coating of the cars to the greetings of the villagers, references to “Great Lions and Lionesses”, which is how students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka refer to themselves, make the story feel very authentic.
The story takes place during a time of political turmoil but what is even more remarkable is Adichie’s ability to masterfully center a family’s drama around such a broader societal issue.
Favorite Quotes
- “Too much of a colonial product.”— Aunty Ifeoma, Eugene’s sister
- “A coup always began a vicious cycle. Military men will always overthrow one another because they could. Because they were all power drunk.”— Eugene Achike
- “This cannot go on…When a house is on fire, you run out before the roof collapses on your head.”— Aunty Ifeoma, Eugene’s sister
- “If they are in a good mood, they’ll give you a visa. If not? They’ll refuse you. It’s what happens when you are worthless in somebody’s eyes. We are like footballs that they can kick in any direction they want to.”— Aunty Ifeoma, Eugene’s sister
- “Sure, there’s never been a power outage and hot water runs from the top, but we don’t laugh anymore because we don’t have time to laugh, because we don’t even see one another.”— Amaka
Impact of Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The novel won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book. It has been celebrated for its exploration of Nigerian culture and its portrayal of domestic violence and authoritarianism.
