When I first finished this novel, I gave it five enthusiastic stars. After sleeping on it, I realized that the writing isn't quite as transcendent as I'd like to see in a five-star novel, even though the themes and perspective were top-notch. I have been wondering for a while about the experience of immigrants, both what they experience and what they think about the cultures into which they're immersed. And since I was born in the U.S. and have always lived here, I'm most interested in how outsiders view American culture. (My 11yo would get after me for saying American to refer to the United States. "What about Canadians and Mexicans and South Americans?" She would ask, such a stickler for accurate language she is.) Through a compelling story, Adichie delivers not only this viewpoint but also a perspective on African-American culture as compared to black culture from Africa and the Caribbean. 
 Ifemelu's voice is frank, direct, and self-reflective. She includes herself in her criticisms when appropriate. I didn't understand it all, and the parts set in Nigeria were particularly difficult for me to get my head around, although I felt more of a sense if place in this novel than I have in others set in African countries. I found the descriptions of places in the United States to be less detailed and less visual for me than those in Nigeria, which was a refreshing change. When I finished the novel, I wished there were more to read in this story and about these characters. That's always a good sign.