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Purple Hibiscus

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Purple Hibiscus

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
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About this listen

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a 2003 O Henry Prize winner, and was shortlisted for the 2002 Caine Prize for African Writing and the 2004 Orange Prize. In Purple Hibiscus, she recounts the story of a young Nigerian girl searching for freedom. Although her father is greatly respected within their community, 15-year-old Kambili knows a frighteningly strict and abusive side to this man. In many ways, she and her family lead a privileged life, but Kambili and her brother, Jaja, are often punished for failing to meet their father’s expectations. After visiting her aunt and cousins, Kambili dreams of being part of a loving family. But a military coup brings new tension to Nigeria and her home, and Kambili wonders if her dreams will ever be fulfilled. Adichie’s striking and poetic language reveals a land and a family full of strife, but fighting to survive. A rich narration by South African native Lisette Lecat perfectly complements this inspiring tale.

©2003 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC Fiction Literary Fiction Dream

Critic Reviews

"One of the best novels to come out of Africa in years." ( The Baltimore Sun)
“Prose as lush as the Nigerian landscape that it powerfully evokes. . . . Adichie's understanding of a young girl's heart is so acute that her story ultimately rises above its setting and makes her little part of Nigeria seem as close and vivid as Eudora Welty's Mississippi.” ( The Boston Globe)
"A sensitive and touching story of a child exposed too early to religious intolerance and the uglier side of the Nigerian state." (J. M. Coetzee)

What listeners say about Purple Hibiscus

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Superb Storytelling

This is the second novel l have read by this author and both have been excellent! I would read anything she has written and the narration suits the work beautifully!

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Compelling

What made the experience of listening to Purple Hibiscus the most enjoyable?

A horrible story made possible to continue with because of the beautiful prose. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is remarkable. Lisette Lecat read this beautifully

What about Lisette Lecat’s performance did you like?

Her tone

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i love it

It's so captivating .You feel like you too Have lived through their lives....such pain such perseverance

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beautfully written well developed characters

another beautfully written story by chimamamanda. buy a box of tissues before you start listening. amazing work

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so captivating

finished it in one weekend. couldn't let go. Adichie, can describe things to the minutest details.

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Awakening

Nigeria is a country about which I know little. I love Adiche’s storytelling, it captures the essence of human experience behind the news headlines

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