The Thing Around Your Neck

CHIMAMANDA. A name that I heard three years ago. A name that I was trying so desperately to get familiar with. A name, to be honest, I fell in love with instantly. It is also a name that I found on Facebook during a time when she had written what I consider to be her masterpiece. Along with all that, it is also a name that I am glad I didn't try to read three years earlier because had I read her then, I know I would have pretended to like her words because I knew she was 'cool'. I received The Thing Around Your Neck as a birthday present from a 'friend' whose friendship, unfortunately, didn't last long. Chimamanda did, though. I don't remember ever thinking about why I wasn't picking her up even though her book was waiting to be read. Her art of simplified truances were not for me. Now, the story is different. Books have taught me a lot and I have matured enough to bask in the sinful glory of a dreamless haze; sinful because how can someone, in a language that is being used everyday, create something as mesmerizing and as private as this? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's collection of short stories, The Thing Around Your Neck, is, for me, like a fabled dream. African cultures have always drawn me towards themselves. The sheer monopoly with which writers from Africa or those of African origin carve their stories and tales in words is something with which I will be always biased. It is the history of slavery that had first drawn me to African writings and it is the same history of slavery, of oppression, of British colonialism and of the neo-colonialism that constantly perpetuates strength in me. African history is a history that taught me there is more to 'national' and 'cultural' history than what we generally see. This book of short stories contain twelve short stories by Adichie. There is something about short stories that I both like and dislike - like the gorgeousness of pain, it stays and tingles long after the effect becomes invisible to the peering eyes. Be it the growing up of a boy in Cell One or the opaqueness of future of The American Embassy, the ghosts of Ghost or the contracts of The Arrangers of Marriage, the freedom of The Jumping Hill or the hate of Tomorrow Is Too Far - I want to carry it all. I want to carry Nkem's hopefulness, Chika's searchful eyes, 'you''s nothingness, Udenna's memories, Kamara's cage and Afamefuna's courage. I wish I had it in me to carry all of it but I know that I am too weak to bear all the weight. This short story collection needs to be read by all of us. If it is possible, I'd even say that it needs to be re-read if you could spare a few moments to it. It is devastating, chilling, nauseating and yet it is so beautiful and glorious that it wouldn't part away with your skin. Read it. You must.

My first book by a Nigerian writer. Impressed with her artistic delineation of a variety of characters. Subtle poignant elements in all aspects of life. The protagonists shine in the manner in which they hold their character in the midst of tragic situations. Out of the 12 stories, I liked the title story 'thing around your neck' the best.

Who should read the book? Anybody who is interested in understanding Nigerian culture, enjoys reading beautifully told short stories, loves good writing and learning about other cultures. I plan to read the stories again because they are a lesson in writing for writers.

The Thing.... is wonderfully written, it has stories that are rich in life and details; they make you think and give you a glimpse into the Africa of today and the life of the country’s migrants. Adichie’s writing is clear, simple and delivers a hard hitting message when needed; issues like racism, patriarchy, after effects of colonialism and civil war have been dealt deftly. Usually with short stories there are hits and misses.... The Thing around your Neck is a clear winner.

Each story better than the one before. This is what writing should be, honest, relatable, brilliant, stories that touch the heart, across cultures

The book is a collection of short stories about how women were treated in Africa. It is interesting because you hear it from the point of view of the women which brings out the extra emotional connect.

There is a review about this book that says its author has portrayed full lives, whole worlds with a few deft sketches. After reading the first two stories, I thought, indeed!. Every word adds to the story with quite a few carelessly strewn jewels. Like this one "It is diffidence about afterlife that makes people cater to religion". I may not have quoted the exact words but the essence is same.

Past 2 year I have been purchasing books in Amazon and I felt very disappointed with most of the purchase. We basically broughts some books whenever we get offers but most of time book quality was very poor and this one is indeed good eg. paper quality and binding everything seems very cheap.. might be if Amazon disclose any offers related to book why not mention the book quality so that we would understand that and will purchase accordingly…pls don’t cheat by yours selling techniques…