Checking Out

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an acclaimed Nigerian author and speaker. Her novels Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), and Americanah (2013) explore themes of race, gender, and identity. Adichie often delves into the intricacies of Nigerian society and offers insightful commentary on the challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing, globalized world. In March 2013, “Checking Out” debuted in various literary magazines and anthologies as an excerpt from the novel Americanah, which was published a month later. The narrative charts the experiences of Obinze, an undocumented immigrant living in London, and examines the complexities of immigration, assimilation, and the challenges faced by individuals navigating between cultures.

This summary of “Checking Out” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie refers to the short fiction piece first published in The New Yorker’s March 18, 2013, fiction issue.

The story is narrated entirely in the third person. Obinze, the Nigerian protagonist, lives in London after entering the United Kingdom on a six-month visa. After two years in the country, his visa has expired, making him an unauthorized immigrant. Although he finds London cold and unwelcoming, he longs for the benefits of legal citizenship.