Purple Hibiscus

2.5? I've read other works by Adichie that I've preferred over this. I almost wrote “enjoyed more than this,” but I don't think this story was meant to be enjoyable, necessarily - it is heavy in its subject matter, suffocating in its presentation of zealous religiosity in the Papa character, his control over every moment with his family. I was glad Kambili and Jaja were able to experience some sort of freedom in their aunt's home, but even to the end I was frustrated that Kambili worshiped her father so wholly. And I felt the ending was a little too convenient. But still, Adichie is a great writer with a wonderful sense of place, this just wasn't my favorite.

CW: miscarriages due to physical abuse (mostly off-page), spousal abuse, child abuse