Half of a Yellow SunHalf of a Yellow Sun
Score Modern
What it's about
In 1960s Nigeria, Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old village boy, goes to work as a houseboy for Odenigbo, a radical university professor. Odenigbo's lover, Olanna, has left her wealthy family in Lagos to be with him, while her twin sister, Kainene, a sharp businesswoman, takes up with Richard, a shy English writer. When Biafra declares independence from Nigeria in 1967 and civil war follows, all of them are swept into the war, its famine and its losses.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Orange Prize and is on the Guardian's list of the best books of the century. It's a sweeping love story and war novel about a conflict many readers know little about.
You'll love it if you liked
Americanah
Purple Hibiscus
Things Fall ApartGood to know
It includes war violence, starvation and a sexual assault. The story moves between the early and late '60s.
By the numbers
- Readers93 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics79 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller29 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #12 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #12 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #57 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #99 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
More by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Quick answers
Is Half of a Yellow Sun worth reading?
Yes. It won the Orange Prize and is on the Guardian's list of the best books of the century. It ranks #99 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 86.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Half of a Yellow Sun about?
In 1960s Nigeria, Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old village boy, goes to work as a houseboy for Odenigbo, a radical university professor. Odenigbo's lover, Olanna, has left her wealthy family in Lagos to be with him, while her twin sister, Kainene, a sharp businesswoman, takes up with Richard, a shy English writer. When Biafra declares independence from Nigeria in 1967 and civil war follows, all of them are swept into the war, its famine and its losses.
How long does it take to read Half of a Yellow Sun?
About 14 hours (541 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Half of a Yellow Sun won?
Women's Prize for Fiction winner (2007).
What should I read after Half of a Yellow Sun?
If you liked it, try Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.