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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Launches Real-Life “Americanah” Blog

Last year, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie created Ifemelu, the protagonist and blogger in her novel “Americanah,” one of the smartest and sharpest chronicles of contemporary life on three continents.

Now, readers can catch up with Ifemelu through “The Small Redemptions of Lagos,” at AmericanahBlog.com. This new blog focuses on Ifemelu’s life in Nigeria, a kind of younger sibling to the novel’s incendiary and anonymous blog, “Raceteenth or Various Observations about American Blacks (Those Formerly Known as Negros) by a Non-American Black.”

The new installment is no less expressive. Ifemelu’s observations are piercing, even on such subjects as a leaky roof at a Lagos airport or a friend who needs to take better care of herself: “Don’t expect water to taste like Coke. It is not Coke. It is water. And it is better for you.”

In the first handful of posts, love interest Obinze (whom Ifemelu calls “Ceiling”) appears, along with best friend Ranyinudo. More characters are expected.

“Americanah” won the 2013 National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction and was selected as one of the 10 best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review, the BBC and Newsday. Earlier this year, actress Lupita Nyong’o (fresh off her Best Supporting Actress win for 12 Years A Slave) announced she had optioned the rights to Adichie’s book, with plans to star in and produce the movie adaptation.

In the meantime, readers will have the web posts to keep them primed. “Ifemulu does have an opinion on everything and why shouldn’t she be like that?” Adichie told an interviewer in March. “I wanted her to be like that. I admire her very much.”

  • Simon Njoku

    September 5, 2014

    Chimamanda Ngozi,I love your books,I love you,you are a one in a million African Queen.I love your works,the god of literature speaks through you,well done o

  • Ajibike Oshodi

    September 6, 2014

    so great that we can still share the lives of the characters in americah , I look forward to reading your blog

  • Joseph

    September 6, 2014

    Interesting blog.

  • MurtaZa Micky Yusuf

    September 6, 2014

    I think readers are euphoric about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Americanah, not only because of its very creative, so spontaneous plots and rapid scenery in the book, I think many folks are excited and eclectic about Obinze and the imagery of love, loving, the ills and the consequences. Nonetheless I concur that Americanah is a very profoundly written story and a couple of experiences about the life of a Nigerian-American. Kudos! Kambili–I really like that name! LOL. That’s why I keep mentioning it. Thank you.

  • Mengistu

    September 6, 2014

    Interesting !

  • CHELIMO BRIAN

    September 6, 2014

    its great

  • Nkem Eugene Ejiofor

    September 6, 2014

    Americanah has much on Philadelphia, I’d fancy from Ngozi’s perspective – reading in the blog what’s going on with the Philly Sound. What are the brother’s and sister’s up to – these days.

  • Christopher Akinlade

    September 6, 2014

    I’ve read all your novels and I think that so far, Americanah is the best. Reading that novel gave me further insights on how I can improve on my personal blog. My teenage daughter talks and share videos and tidbits about you with me all the time. I dare to say you are my heroine too. Thanks for being such a good role model. I am always looking out for your latest titles. The Americanah blog is very refreshing. May your pen not run dry.

  • Thessa

    September 6, 2014

    The first few passages of Americanah was all it took and I feel in love. My first Chiamand’s novel and I LOVE it. You took your readers on a journey and the unique thing is that anyone who reads the Americanah will love to go on that journey. Good job!!!!….

  • Renee

    September 6, 2014

    Fantastic!

  • Mimisiku

    September 6, 2014

    I cant wait for the movie,,,great Novel

  • Eyinade Adelere

    September 7, 2014

    Half of a Yellow is being shown in Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria presently. I hope Americanah will also be adapted into a film.

  • Ezesinachi Ljc Atana

    September 7, 2014

    She is one in a million i like

  • Irebami

    September 15, 2014

    To be candid, just like Edmund White suggested a Booker prize for you in his blurb in your book Half Of A Yellow Sun, I strongly want to state that you deserve everything a literary Icon like you are can ever get.
    Ngozi, you are a priceless gift to human race. I enjoy reading half of a yellow sun over and over again. As I strongly believe the newly released book will always worth the time I will give to it when I get a copy.
    kudos literary icon!!

  • Pst.Prisca Richards

    October 12, 2014

    Just one word for you Ngozi. You are Blessed

  • nangozo

    November 25, 2014

    love love love it. totally here for Americanah, this blog and every work of THIS BRILLIANT author

  • Spencer

    December 13, 2014

    Gracious hands are made certain;
    Certain by the blissful srength to friend a pen; a pen is mightier than
    a sword.
    A pen could always be a lover’s friend.
    I salute you. U’re good.

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