Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about Ifemelu and Obinze as protagonists? How (if at all) did your opinions of them change throughout the story?

2. Which aspects of Ifemelu’s journey resonated with you the most, and why? How does her story compare to other works you’ve read about immigrants’ experiences in the US—e.g., Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Refugees?

3. Discuss the book’s nonlinear structure. How did the time jumps and narrative point-of-view shifts affect your reading experience? Based on this work, would you consider reading others by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, such as her short story collection The Thing Around Your Neck?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Reflect on Ifemelu and Obinze’s experience of feeling like outsiders even within their home country. Have you ever felt like a stranger or interloper in a familiar place?

2. Have you ever had to navigate conversations about race and identity that made you rethink your own

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now