85 pages • 2 hours read
Chimamanda Ngozi AdichiePurple Hibiscus
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Set in postcolonial Nigeria before the civil war, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Purple Hibiscus follows 15-year-old Kambili Achike, whose family's life is meticulously controlled by her tyrannical, religiously fanatic father. Kambili and her brother Jaja experience newfound freedom during a stay with their progressive Aunt Ifeoma, eventually leading to profound changes within their family dynamics and personal identities.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been widely praised for its evocative writing and compelling portrayal of a young girl's life in Nigeria. Reviewers commend Adichie's ability to weave cultural and political themes into a poignant family narrative. However, some critics note the pacing can be slow. Overall, it is a powerful debut that captures the complexities of personal and societal struggles. MLA
Who Should Read Purple Hibiscus?
Readers who appreciate Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie are often drawn to coming-of-age stories set against political turmoil, like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. They value rich, cultural narratives with strong, empathetic characters.
RecommendedReading Age
16-18yearsLexile Level
920LBook Details
African Literature