Words: Ali Iannattone

Described by the The Times Literary Supplement as “the most prominent” young author “succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature”; Adichie was born in Nigeria and originally went to University to pursue studies in the medical and pharmaceutical field.

After moving to the US at age 19, she received a Master of Arts degree in African studies from Yale University in 2008 after completing a master’s degree in creative writing at Johns Hopkins University in 2003. Her first book; a collection of poems titled ‘Decisions’ was released in 1997 when Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was only 20 years old.

However, it was her first novel ‘Purple Hibiscus’ (2003) that received great critical acclaim and was even shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction, bringing Adichie in the public eye for the first time.

Since then, she has dedicated a large portion of her life to writing about causes closest to her: race, LGBT+ and feminism.

For this week’s book of the week, LDN recommends Adichie’s 2014 biographical book-length essay ‘We Should All Be Feminists’. At only 64 pages in length, the book – which is an adaptation of a TED Talk of the same title given by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – is the perfect quick read for anyone who is only now being introduced to the concept of feminism, or is already familiar and would like new lenses to view it through.

With an assertive yet empathetic tone, Adichie guides the reader through her own experience of sexism while growing up in Nigeria. She reminds us why feminism is a concept that is still relevant in today’s society and inspires us to learn about why and how we should make feminism a part of our life.

We at LDN find that this is the perfect book to read as an introduction to feminism and its importance; especially during Women’s History Month!

Find ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ here: World of Books (used), Waterstones.