logo

105 pages 3 hours read

Half of a Yellow Sun

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Book Brief

logo
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Half of a Yellow Sun

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006
Book Details
Pages

543

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Nigeria • 1960s

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is set during the Nigerian Civil War of the 1960s, focusing on the intersecting lives of Ugwu, a houseboy; Odenigbo, a professor; Olanna, Odenigbo’s wife; Kainene, Olanna’s sister; and Richard, Kainene’s lover. All characters become entangled with the Biafran cause, facing profound personal and socio-political challenges throughout the war. The book contains depictions of violence, including murder and sexual assault.

Melancholic

Emotional

Challenging

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.4

179,976 ratings

88%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie offers a poignant narrative set during the Nigerian Civil War, praised for its compelling characters and rich historical context. Critics laud its emotional depth and intricate storytelling. However, some mention a slow pace in parts. Overall, it’s acclaimed for its vivid portrayal of a tumultuous period in Nigerian history.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Half of a Yellow Sun?

Readers who enjoy historical fiction, complex characters, and multi-narrative storytelling will find Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie captivating. Fans of works like Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini will appreciate its vivid depiction of Nigeria's Biafran War and its emotional depth.

4.4

179,976 ratings

88%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

543

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Nigeria • 1960s

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.