I recently
read the debut novel of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie called "Purple
Hibiscus". What's so special about the book - the sublime yet
powerful narrative by Kambilli - the 15-year old who has always mapped her
achievements in life against how her Papa would approve of them. Her
Papa is the overtly religious - almost fanatical - patriarch who has always
controlled every aspect of his family's life. What is interesting is that
Kambili is not the hero of the book. It is in fact her brother who openly
defies their father trying to find some meaning of life in a house dominated by
Christ and Papa's whims. The planting of the purple hibiscus bush is thus
symbolic - something that happens after the visit to their aunt's house which,
although poorer, is much more happier and alive.
Though she
is the observer, Kambili's thoughts are alive thanks to her continuous
turmoil as she tries to debate between what's right and what's expected of her
- idolizing her Papa despite his increasing violence towards
the family, falling in love with a young priest, trying to fit into
her cousins' lives and most importantly deciding between right and wrong based
on not just what the Bible says. All this set against the political, economic
and religious conflicts of the post-colonial Nigerian society makes
for a thoroughly absorbing read. The contrasts although well defined are a bit
cliched - 'papa'- a devout wealthy Catholic vs. his impoverished
pagan father; the strict colonial product Father Benedict vs. the more
contemporary indigenous Father Amadi; the wealthy but dull life of the
Achikes vs. the poor but vibrant and loud life of Aunt Ifeoma's
family.
Despite the ending remaining an open question, the book left a happy, almost peaceful, taste in my mouth and I am looking forward to picking up Adichie's next - Half of a Yellow Sun.
