The Writing StyleĬhinelo Okparanta bewitched me with her flawless writing from the beginning and I remained under her spell until the very last page! I really felt as though I was seeing and experiencing everything that Ijeoma went through because this author did a wonderful job of giving me frank and unapologetic descriptions of the numerous challenges that Ijeoma and Amina had to deal with. I don’t think I will ever forget Ijeoma’s insatiable curiosity, her straightforward manner of speech and her desire to have a deeper connection with a higher power because those traits endeared her to me. There were a couple of times when I really wanted to reach through my kindle and give Ijeoma and Amina the biggest hugs ever because I could easily relate to some of the emotional and social issues they had to contend with. These resilient young women are determined to live life on their own terms in spite of the religious and cultural practices that threaten their peace of mind and their newly formed relationship. Ijeoma and Amina have both lost loved ones because of the Biafran civil war. What is the true cost of love? Are Ijeoma and Amina willing to pay the ultimate price? The Characters Their budding relationship will make Ijeoma question her beliefs and it will also make her open her heart to a love like no other. A once-in-a-lifetime encounter brings Amina and Ijeoma together and they are devoted to each other in every sense of the word. Ijeoma’s mother wants to make a better life for them so she sends Ijeoma to live with close family friends until she earns enough money and finds a safe place for them to live. Nothing in this world could have prepared Ijeoma for her father’s untimely death and her entire life was turned upside down.

It is 1968 and the Biafran civil war is still raging throughout Nigeria.

Under The Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta is a beautiful and heart-tugging literary fiction novel that highlights the importance of forming your own personal relationship with a higher power and being true to yourself.

Under the udala trees sparknotes