Second Class Citizen [Paperback]

Buchi Emecheta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 1983

"One of the most informative books about contemporary African life that I have read."—Alice Walker.

A poignant story of a resourceful Nigerian woman who overcomes strict tribal domination of women and countless setbacks to achieve an independent life for herself and her children.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the most informative books about contemporary African life that I have read. -- Alice Walker

Second Class Citizen pales a lot of academic feminist writing into insignificance. [Emecheta's] is a book that is gripping and authentic, and hard to dispute or laugh off. -- The Guardian

About the Author

Born of Ibo parents in Nigeria, Buchi Emecheta is widely known for her multilayered stories of black women struggling to maintain their identity and construct viable lives for themselves and their families. She writes, according to The New York Times, with "subtlety, power, and abundant compassion." Her numerous novels include The Slave Girl, The Family, Bride Price, and The Joys of Motherhood.

Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: George Braziller Inc. (February 17, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807610666
• ISBN-13: 978-0807610664
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,904 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars To be what you are, and not what you are supposed to be, July 17, 2000

By 

Boris Bangemann "boyse" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Class Citizen (Paperback)

"Second Class Citizen" is the story of Adah, a resourceful, intelligent girl from Nigeria who comes to Great Britain shortly after Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Going to Great Britain was a dream she pursued with determination against the wishes of the family of her husband, who had departed for Great Britain before her, and against the traditional role which her native culture saw fit for women. Adah is not so much disappointed with what she finds in Great Britain (surprisingly, since she expected to find the "kingdom of heaven" there) but with the lack of change in her husband who neither can nor wants to question his traditional ways. On top of that he is lazy, bad tempered, and spoilt. He does not care for his wife, he cares for the money she brings home so that he can slouch on the couch and otherwise follow his whims.

Adah brings an interesting aspect to racism: You are only a victim if you think of yourself as a victim. For her part, she never accepts that she is regarded as a "second class citizen" because she is black or because she is a woman. Her husband, on the other hand, wants to fit in and actually tries to conform to the society's racist view of him. He has lost his sense of dignity, but Adah has not. She draws great strength from her determination to lead a better life, to get an education, to give a better life to her children, and to become a writer.

The style in which the novel is narrated is very plain and simple, just in line with Adah's sraightforward, practically minded character. It is quite unemotional and creates a certain distance between Adah and the reader. Beneath Adah's tough surface, however, one can sense the pain she feels at not being loved by her husband "for what she was and not just because she could work and hand over her money like a docile child."

"Second Class Citizen" is an impressive portrait of human dignity under pressure, and of the the sheer will of an individual to persist and to be what she knows she can be.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Second Class Citizen, December 8, 1999

By 

Henry G. (College Station, Tx (Gig Em!)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Class Citizen (Paperback)

This book is fantastic! This book deals with the internal conflicts one faces with race, identity, love and life. This book deals with the theme of "borderland", which is being between two cultures, not being accepted by Nigerians and denied also by Europeans. The theme of colonialism is present throughout the book and gives the reader a first hand look at what happens when two different cultures merge. What captured by heart in this book is Adah's determination in life. With each turning page one goes through the hardships of her life. Your heart yerns for everything to work out in the end. This book is written in very simplistic terms but has so many deep symbolic undertones. Believe me your heart will grow heavy as you make the journey of this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very engaging and moving novel, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Second Class Citizen (Paperback)

The novel caught me right from the beginning-- it is a very intriguing story about an intelligent Nigerian woman and her life moving from Nigeria to England. I felt as if I could relate to her life, even though I have not gone through what she has.The language of the novel was fairly simple, but I appreciated that it was constantly moving and coherent. I definitely recommend this book, especially to women because I think it is a novel many women can relate to.