The Thing Around Your Neck
I just got back from an amazing book reading and signing by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for her short story collection The Thing Around Your Neck.
Despite missing two trains on my way to Idlewild Books where the reading was taking place at 7pm, I still managed to get there eight minutes early and snag the only remaining seat in the very front.
Chimamanda arrived by taxi and gave a short but great reading which was followed by a very lively interview. She was incredibly gracious and super down to earth and even though I’ve thought she was a great writer since Half of a Yellow Sun, I think she’s even ten times more terrific now. I actually got relationship advice from her. She told me not to give up entirely on Hausa men so maybe… no more Bakuras, but maybe I’ll put them back on my dating radar soon.
Notable quotes from the interview?
“I’m very suspicious of excessive happiness..”
“I liked romance [novels] until I became sensible enough to realise it was rubbish.”
Curiously, I was the only person that asked her a question after the interview. If I were the rest of the audience I’d be bursting with tons of questions but hey. It was a pretty cool gathering. I met Funmi Iyanda who is equally gracious, terribly funny and unbelievably nice, as well as Teju Cole (whose books I must acquire and read). I feel terribly ashamed because I didn’t immediately recognize that Teju was a writer. So I knew of Teju Cole, but somehow my brain just said ‘this is another Teju Cole’. The Nigerian Arts and Media scene is populated with so many crazy talented individuals it’s unbelievable.
I probably just want to spend the next few years immersing myself into as much Nigerian art, literature, etc as I can. It wasn’t just the reading that blew me away, Idlewild Books is AMAZING. This is the first bookstore I have been in that literally goes around the world. ALL of their books are arranged according to country and they have so many amazing books from African authors and on Africa I’m tempted to spend the rest of my summer days and nights in there. I definitely have to go back and buy some more books (I bought a copy of Chimamanda’s The Thing Around Your Neck)
UPDATE: I have secured a photo of the mind-blowingly cute editor of Granta that conducted the interview
I had such a great time. I even spotted Lola Ogunnaike at the reading and I think she was having the reading filmed which is curious because I read she’s no longer with CNN. I wonder what she’s up to now?
I had a blast. Nigerian writers rock big time.
Lola Ogunnaike supervising the videographer
Trust me, he was hot. 😀
She signed my book to me and wrote “Nwannem Nwanyi”.
Aww! Yay Igbo autographs!
Check out Funmi Iyanda’s Deola Sagoe jeans!
I’ve wanted a pair of these forever.
Must. Go. To. Gym.
It rocked. Chimamanda kicks literary butt.
And here’s the CNN video. (I’m in it :D)
Embedded video from CNN Video
YAY for Chimamanda, lol at Nwanem Nwanyi she signed Ezigbo Nwanem Nwanyi for me(beat that)lol my freshman year cos she was a guest speaker at my convocation (purple Hibiscus), loved her and she takes her time with peeps which is really nice 🙂 i am so jealous of you and all these your paroles oh 😛 “The thing around your neck” is great loves it!
The interviewer is John Freeman. And ditto.
And your question 100% rocked. It was a fascinating conversation, and I’m glad I was able to witness it. x
Oh, and about Teju Cole: Yup.
aww..I’m so envious….
I really should move to NY
Aww, sooo jealous! You looked pretty, the pics were great…must have been fun!
Chimamanda is a beautiful writer,though,I haven’t read most of her books,orange prize seems to make her famous.
Lola Ogunaike has left CNN. But,I saw about three weeks ago or so a report done by her.
I like books, most especially, novels written with good artistic concept.Among African older generation, Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe are my favourites and the younger generation seems not to be innovative along their lines.
I think the book reading-and-signing was a wonderful one.What’s favourite book there, Sugarbelly?
Please look out for Teju Cole’s novel coming out next year. He’s younger generation, yes, but writes with an old, old soul.
Lucky you! Looks like you had fun. I like how laid back both Chimamanda and Funmi look. Wonderful to see these 2 incredible Naija women and others doing their thing.
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You do go to all the nice spot dont you? I am very jealous that you got to meet one of my literary heroes, not fair! It looks like you enjoyed it which is good I guess.
I found this link and I think it’s something you just might be into.
http://dubois.fas.harvard.edu/node/290
L.
Hey sugabelly!
I love your blog!
(Im Aphro-diety from your previous summer stage post)
view mine
tell me what you think!
http://www.collegenomadism.blogspot.com
WOW! Now I’m soooo jealous. You even had a snapshot with Funmi Iyanda. I love that lady. Chimanmada is doing a great job.
wow, u saw one of my fave nig. authors.
wow, sugarbelly can u sort of announce when next such personality is comign to town.
lucky u for attending
I just finished reading my copy and i loved it. Still loved half of a yellow sun the best though. For some reason, my end of the pages of my book were very ragged. I was so pissed at that.
I love funmi Iyanda men! I’ve met her in reallife in Lagos. she was so cool, it was like wow! glad u met her too.
I’m a big Chimamanda Adichie fan. Like one woman said in the line to get her book signed, “I sort of stalk her”. But it’s just the emotive power of her writing, that affection for her lived culture, her militance to tell MANY stories. Check out this talk she did: http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html
Love the blog! It’s really funny!
Aww, just coming across this post! To think I read the book almost 3yrs after it came out. lol. better late than never. Chimmy is awesome!