In 2018 I attended the purple hibiscus writers workshop with Chimamanda Adichie.
During one of our writing exercises she told us to write about ourselves. She had two rules: be truthful and no hiding. I remember writing about my mother, my father, my sister and brother. That was how I defined myself-through their eyes. That’s why it was hard for me to understand Stella. Not why she decided to pass as white, but ‘how’ she could leave everything that made her her. The family that loved her, and they did love her. Her experiences and memories…
Okay, who is Stella? Stella is Desiree’s twin. Together they run away from their small black community. They separate (see how I didn’t spoil it by telling you how) and Stella passes for white in her new life, while Desiree does her own thing and embraces more black than she was brought up to.
What I like about the book: I like how the book explores identity. Can we define ourselves without any input from environment? How large does our culture and where we come from contribute to our identity? And what does it truly mean to be yourself?
Mild spoilers ahead… Sorry I couldn’t help it.
I also like how the book paralleled relationships: The relationship between mothers and daughters using Desiree and her daughter and Stella and hers; and romantic partnerships too, like the relationship between Desiree and Earl. They both gave each other more than any other married couple in the story. I like how Earl held back just how much of Desiree’s life he wanted to share because he knew she didn’t want that type of relationship anymore after the abuse she suffered. Jude and Reese is another partnership that explore vulnerability and letting someone that loves us contribute to our identity.
Favourite part of the plot: The fact that Jude was okay in the end. I know she had it rough in Mallard and I’m glad she grew into a beautiful confident woman. Even though she still had her insecurities and scars, I think they healed.
Favourite line: “I’m glad you’re not like her,” her daughter said. “I’m glad I ended up with you.”
Read if: You like stories that explore relationships and identity.
Moyo Laditan 