Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
(HarperCollins $42.99)
If you don't think a hairstyle can be important then you need to read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's new book, Americanah. Throughout the novel hair is used as a metaphor, specifically African hair and the effort and expense women go in transforming it, the braids and weaves, the chemical relaxing to make it smooth rather than kinky.
In Americanah, hair is a political statement, a sign of identity, a source of conflict, an emblem of freedom and more. Part love story, part scrutiny of contemporary race issues, this is an insightful and powerful piece of work, confronting at times, but thoughtful rather than angry, and both intelligent and accessible.
The story begins in a rundown African braiding salon where Princeton fellow Ifemelu is having her hair done before returning to Nigeria after 15 years in America.