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Under the Udala Trees
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
Inspired by Nigeria's folktales and its war,Under the Udala Treesis adeeply searching, powerful debut about the dangers of living and loving openly. Ijeoma comes of age as her nation does; born before independence, she is eleven when civil war breaks out in the young republic of Nigeria. Sent away to safety, she meets another displaced child and they, star-crossed, fall in love. They are from different ethnic communities. They are also both girls. When their love is discovered, Ijeoma learns that she will have to hide this part of herself. But there is a cost to living inside a lie. As Edwidge Danticat has made personal the legacy of Haiti's political coming of age, Okparanta'sUnder the Udala Treesuses one woman's lifetime to examine the ways in which Nigerians continue to struggle toward selfhood. Even as their nation contends with and recovers from the effects of war and division, Nigerian lives are also wrecked and lost from taboo and prejudice. This story offers a glimmer of hope -- a future where a woman might just be able to shape her life around truth and love. Acclaimed byVogue, theFinancial Times,and many others, Chinelo Okparanta continues to distill "experience into something crystalline, stark but lustrous" (New York Times Book Review).Under the Udala Treesmarks the further rise of a star whose "tales will break your heart open" (New York Daily News).
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Afua
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

At first I sat with how the world is frightfully efficient in trying to suffocate us out of our queerness & beating us into submission. But then it was the tone of the writing that finally got me at the end, that quiet tired monotone you tell your stories in because life has really made wisdom & exhaustion out of you.Life often takes us the long way round. Perhaps it doesn‘t matter, long or short, we eventually find our way to where we need to be.

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WriterAtHeart
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Mehso-so

Ijeoma is a lesbian Nigerian who is trying to find herself in a world that does not accept her for who she is. Okparanta did a good job exploring the emotions of someone trying to figure out who they are when the people around you tell you that you are full of sin. While I did enjoy the story, I felt like the story was a little chaotic with abrupt changes in subject or forgotten plot lines. Overall though, decent read.

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hissingpotatoes
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Bailedbailed

2/5⭐ I appreciate the importance of this book's message and setting. Unfortunately I didn't connect with the characters (they seem to have no personalities outside of being gay or being bigoted), and the story was slow and lingered on plot points for far too long. #bookspinbingo

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Creme_de_la_them
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

Book #19 of the year: “Under the Udala Trees” by Chinelo Okparanta

The story starts in Nigeria during the Biafran War and follows the main character as she falls in love with a woman and faces the homophobia of her family and community. It does have a happy ending (relatively, given Nigeria‘s criminalization of homosexuality) so give it a read!

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effani
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Mehso-so

This book wasn't for me, or at least it wasn't for me right now. It's not exactly that I expected the coming-of-age story of a lesbian in 1970s Nigeria to be happy and uplifting, but I wasn't ready for it to be as brutal as it was. Content warnings for homophobic violence and domestic abuse.

#ReadHarder2021: a historical fiction with a POC or LGBTQ+ protagonist.

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Bertha_Mason
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta

"About a year into the war, and the bomber planes were at it again, like lorries that had somehow forgotten the road and were instead tearing through the sky."

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AnneCecilie
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

I knew from the first page that I would love this book. The writing just pulled me into the story.

It‘s 1968 and there‘s a civil war in Nigeria. We meet Ijeoma and her mother when Ijeoma‘s father dies and follow the aftermath of this and Ijeoma as she discovers that she falls in love with women.

It says in the author‘s note at the back that Nigeria is one of the most religious counties in the world only beaten by Ghana.

AnneCecilie As a Norwegian that kind of devotion is hard to understand. But I did find the Bible discussions throughout the novel to lead Ijeoma on the right path very interesting and the verses in the text really helped me to understand what they were talking about. 4y
AnneCecilie I‘m so happy this was on my #NewYearWhoDis list because I don‘t think I would have read it otherwise @mrsmarch @monalyisha 4y
Crazeedi Very interesting and good review 4y
monalyisha I love to see such a positive review! 4y
78 likes1 stack add5 comments
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SW-T
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

A bittersweet look at coming of age as a lesbian woman in a country where homosexuals face the risk of imprisonment or being murdered by mob violence. Okparanta does a good job of showing the inner lives and communal relationships of those who shape Ijeoma‘s life.

@CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian

#lgbtq #lgbtbook #lgbtcharacter #lgbtliterature #queerbook #lgbt

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian I really liked this book! I actually liked her short story collection even better! 4y
SW-T @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian I‘ll have to add her short stories to my TBR! 4y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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mrsmarch
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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I got off to a fitful start, but I‘m glad I stuck with this one. The voice develops over time, knitting a lush story that swoops between hope and despair and happiness and desperation. #bookspin #doublespin #blackvoices

TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 4y
41 likes1 comment
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Jari-chan
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Set in Nigeria, #Africa and one of my current reads. Makes me wonder once again why people can't just be nice to each other?

#LetsTravelJuly

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I wonder the same thing.... 5y
22 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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sidherinn
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
violabrain Another great book! 5y
1 like1 comment
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brandybear22
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Just started reading. So far I like the storytelling and narrator.

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MsLeah8417
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟💫

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Tove_Reads
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Breakfast at the new library. Otherwise it‘s great, but all the people here really annoy me. 😃

Heideschrampf Yummy! 6y
LeeRHarry Maybe once the novelty wears off it will quieten down - that food looks delicious ! 😊 6y
CouronneDhiver Great book! Also, is that a dessert or something else? Looks like cake for breakfast - which is a brilliant way to start the day 👍🏽 6y
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Tove_Reads @CouronneDhiver It‘s raspberry red currant cake and härkis ( made of fava beans) bagel. Very Finnish ingredients. The place was filled with tourists, and I‘m sure Japanese people will fill the place most days. @LeeRHarry 6y
DivineDiana You can eat in your Library?!? 6y
Tove_Reads @divinediana This open cafe is in the middle of the books. There‘s also a restaurant with a wine bar and another cafe with a terrace overlooking the parliament, music hall and finlandia house. There is also a practice kitchen for 30 peeps. (edited) 6y
DivineDiana That is incredible! I don‘t know of any Library that rivals that in the US! 6y
Chrissyreadit @Tove_Reads wow! I would live there!!! 6y
Soubhiville I love this book! 6y
53 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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Tonton
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Wow. A coming of age story, lesbian love story, and a war story juggled superbly to balance evenly informing each part. Set in during the Biafran war. Lovely, bits can lag.

40 likes2 stack adds
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juliannebenford
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

This book has a quiet power. It's quite slow paced, so it took me a while to get into it but the audiobook narrator had such a lovely, expressive voice that I was hooked in the end. It's about a girl in war-torn Nigeria, sent away by her mother, who falls in love with another girl and the difficulty she has being gay in a country where it's not accepted at all and she can't even accept herself. #diversecharacters #AuginBooks18

CouronneDhiver I agree - great book! 6y
37 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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jveezer
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

Ka udo di, ka ndu di. Let peace be. Let life be. This book was soooooooooo good.

3 likes1 stack add
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jveezer
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Really excited to be reading this book. A first #lgbtq African novel for me. Shame on Nigeria for their harsh, unconstitutional, and treaty-breaking anti-LGBTQ law. #ReadWide #ReadWomen

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thecurlybookworm
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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#riotgrams Day 7: #blackwriters

Still haven't read a few of these, but aiming to read three (The Fifth Season, As Lie Is to Grin, Akata Witch) this month!

14 likes1 stack add
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bibliocurl
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

Felt it was a bit slow somewhere in the middle, but loved it nonetheless!

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MoniqueReads305
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Since I'm still currently attempting to read all my partial read books I plan to have a mini readathon and try to get through the stack.

I'm also going to attempt some #audiocoloring with Under the Udala Trees

#HolidayReadingGoals

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theshrinkette
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

A coming of age story of Ijeoma, born before independence, her family struck by tragedy during a Civil War, sent away to boarding school and falls in love with a girl. Events occur that force Ijeoma to hide this part of herself, and where her life takes her as a result.
This gorgeous story is not exempt of queer suffering, but there are joyful parts that are lovely. Serves as a reminder that Nigeria still has brutal anti-queer laws in place.

Notafraidofwords I loved this one. 7y
Tamra I really want to read this! I‘m glad you liked it. 7y
brownekr LOVED this book. In fact, I read it twice, and I'm almost never a rereader. 7y
39 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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bookandcat
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

#readathon book 3 complete! This #lgbtq romance set in Nigeria is at times heartbreaking but hopeful. I got the book at #mfob last week. The author said she was forbidden from talking about her plot outright on Nigerian radio, as LGBTQ relationships are punishable by law there. This book is so necessary to give voice to the voiceless.
I sometimes found the pacing choppy, but enjoyed my time reading it. #weneeddiversebooks

17 likes1 stack add
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

Sad story of what happens when you are forced to live a lie. Although Ijeoma does find some happiness. A story that shows there is no hate greater than those who hate in the name God and Church. #U #LitsyAtoZ @BookishMarginalia

36 likes1 stack add
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Can't stop listening to this book. Even though bible quoting mother is giving me some serious flashbacks to my mother. 😨
Need for Ijeoma to be happy.

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Lacythebookworm
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Lunchtime #audiowalking

BooksForEmpathy I really want to read this! How‘s the audio? I have the print copy on my shelves but maybe audio is the way to go! 7y
Lacythebookworm @BooksForEmpathy This was my first time with Robin Miles as the narrator and I have to say I quite enjoyed her narration! You will definitely enjoy the story whichever way you decide to go 😊 7y
80 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Ok, @Librariana , my favorite color is blue, so here's a blue stack for you! I've had a tough week, so I was a little slow to reply. Better late than never. 😉 #bookcolortag

Soubhiville I hope you have a nice relaxing weekend now. Sorry your week was tough. 7y
Librariana Oh darling, I'm so sorry to hear you've had a tough week! 😔 I can only hope this weekend treats you with kindness and offers some relaxation. I also hope me tagging you didn't feel like an annoyance/nuisance. I send you all the good vibes and gratitude for your lovely blue stack! 😊💙 7y
Hooked_on_books @Librariana Oh don't even think that, silly! I've just been so exhausted I haven't even looked at Litsy much. And it's always nice to be thought of. 😊 7y
62 likes3 comments
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shawnmooney
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Bailedbailed

Bailed just short of the halfway mark. Some lovely writing here, and a pioneering African lesbian novel. But I was bored out of my tree: whether it was her father's violent wartime death or her Christianity-addled mother's abusive attempts to pray away the gay, nothing seemed to bother the protagonist. Her interiority was virtually non-existent, other than sweet, positive feelings. Everything was just fine and lovely and wholly unbelievable.

emilyhaldi I can understand why you bailed... Sounds painful. 7y
48 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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This is how her mother tries to counsel Ijeoma out of her lesbianism, using good ol' Judges 19. (There is a lot of antihomophobic biblical apologetics in the novel, I'm finding, too much for my tastes but no doubt of some value to African Christian queers who are struggling.)

#QuoteOfTheDay

saresmoore Or for any Christian or recovering Christian, for that matter. 7y
39 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Suet624 💕💕💕 7y
DivineDiana Perfect illustration! 7y
kspenmoll 💛 7y
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saresmoore I love this. 7y
minkyb The entire book is full of beautiful writing. 7y
shawnmooney @Suet624 @DivineDiana @kspenmoll @saresmoore @minkyb I'm really absorbed in this novel so far! I'm listening to the audio while I read along with the e-book. 7y
45 likes1 stack add6 comments
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shawnmooney
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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shawnmooney
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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For my Litsy A-Z Reading challenge, this should've been my first choice for "U" all along – now that I've bailed on another one, here I go with this – probably the first and only lesbian novel to come out of Africa! I'm so excited!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa It's on my list too!! 7y
Soubhiville I loved this book!!! 7y
Notafraidofwords Loved this one! 7y
ReadingEnvy And two words that start with U! 7y
52 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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violabrain
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

This book has been on my TBR list for awhile now, and it didn't disappoint. A beautiful, moving book about being gay in a culture in which that is a death sentence and the ways in which religion keeps people captive and trapped in a life that makes them miserable. So very highly recommended. Also, I can't get enough of this stunning cover!

7 likes1 stack add
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amma-keep-reading
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Wow, just wow. This is a brave topic for a writer from the continent to write (even in this day and age). This is a powerful war story (figuratively and literally), love story, and coming of age story. And poignant.

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amma-keep-reading
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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"Sometimes I sit with my Bible in my hands, and I think to myself that God is nothing but an artist, and the world is his canvas. And I reason that if the Old and New Testaments are any indication, then change is in fact a major part of His aesthetic, a major part of of His vision for the world. "

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Lillytales
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Nothing beats rushing home, bursting open the door and ripping into an LGBTIQA-filled package of books from the lovely team at Granta. Happy #PrideMonth! 🌈💃👨‍❤️‍👨👩‍❤️‍👩

#lgbtlit #booksthatmademe #queer

13 likes2 stack adds
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8little_paws
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

This is a beautiful book about a lesbian in 1960-80s Nigeria who is Christian. Lots about how strong homophobia is there. It's not an easy read, but I recommend it!

Why I read it: #litsyatoz letter U

EllieDottie I really liked this book! 7y
BooksForEmpathy Okay I really have to read this! 7y
72 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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8little_paws
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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There is some great writing in this book.

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EllieDottie
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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This might be a little on the nose for #underatree, but I read this book a few months ago and loved it! #splashintosummerreads

I got this image from a website and thought it was beautiful! http://parkerandme.co.uk/billy-elliot-style-home-twitter-book-club-littleloves/

59 likes1 stack add
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tricours
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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This month's Norwegian book box had a queer theme! I haven't read either of them (EDIT: gah! Realized that I have read Isherwood), but Okparanta's book was on my TBR list here on Litsy.

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EllieDottie
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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This is the last line from a book I read this year that is a coming of age story for a young woman in Nigeria who is finds her LGBTQ+ identity coming in conflict with her extremely conservative culture. It is an absolutly beautiful story! #LGBTQPride #riotgrams #lastlines

52 likes1 stack add
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BookishTrish
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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64 likes2 stack adds
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EllieDottie
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book! It's a moving story of a Igbo girl who grows up during the civil war in Nigeria, and falls in love with a girl of a different ethnic community. This was an engrossing story that painted a vivid picture of what it's like to be part of the extremely marginalized LGBT group in Nigeria. My only comment was I wish I was able to get to know some of the secondary characters a little more. #startswithuvw #marchintoreading

54 likes6 stack adds
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Sue
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Pickpick

Well that was heartbreaking 😢#litsyatoz

Suet624 Those colors are stunning. 8y
104 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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EllieDottie
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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I'm off to a wedding this weekend and this is my airplane book! I'm ready to explore a culture that I am pretty unfamiliar with so I'm also going to use this for #greatexplorations! #marchmadness

Riveted_Reader_Melissa This is on my to read pile too! 8y
Soubhiville I love this book! One of my favorites from last year. 8y
Notafraidofwords One of my favs 8y
EllieDottie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Soubhiville @Notafraidofwords I'm almost finished and I'm loving it!! (edited) 8y
56 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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alisonrose
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
Pickpick

I am so glad this book was written even though it is painful to know how based in truth it is. As a queer woman, but a white, cis, USian one, my heart goes out to Ijeoma and Amina and Ndidi and the real people they represent who are far less privileged than I and who are at such grave risk for simply being as God made them. A poignant story that I only wish had gone a little deeper, but a very good read nonetheless. 4/5 ⭐

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alisonrose
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta

In the near darkness, our hands moved across our bodies. We took in with our fingers the curves of our flesh, the grooves. Our hands, rather than our voices, seemed to do the speaking. Our breaths mingled with the night sounds. Eventually our lips met. This was the beginning, our bodies being touched by the fire that was each other's flesh.

[Usually I don't go for sex scenes for reasons, but I like this bc yay queer girls and also it's so pretty]

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alisonrose
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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Reeeeally looking forward to this one! #nowreading

ramyasbookshelf That looks absolutely delicious :) I love that book cover! 8y
29 likes1 comment
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MoniqueReads305
Under the Udala Trees | Chinelo Okparanta
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I'm learning that novels that are largely character based make for slow #audiobook listens. There is not enough action to make the time go by.

Also, maybe next time I will be finished with the book before my bookclub meeting.

#audible #Nigerian #fiction #undertheudalatrees #bookclub