Chimamanda holds Book Reading for latest work, ‘Notes on Grief'
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Loading... - Henrietta Adams
- 20 Jan 2022
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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie held a book reading session for her new book, “Notes on Grief” on Saturday, January 15 at Alliance Française, Mike Adenuga Centre in Lagos. The event commenced with an opening address from the French ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann.
Also in attendance were the French Consul General in Lagos, Laurence Montmayrant; Chimamanda’s Nigerian publisher and founder of Narrative Landscape Press, Dr Eghosa Imasuen; Titi Adenuga, wife to Nigerian billionaire, Mike Adenuga; and other members of the diplomatic corps, literary, media and business community alike.
The multiple award-winning author wrote “Notes on Grief” in the wake of her beloved father’s death in 2020. At the book reading, she revealed that she wrote the essay which was first published in the New York Times, as a form of release and without the intention to publish, as she writes to express whatever she’s feeling.
Chimamanda has always spoken of how much she loved and adored her parents – Prof. James and Mrs Grace Adichie – and how their deaths in a space of months broke her heart. “Notes on Grief” is a poetic page-turner, laced with themes of meditation, remembrance, hope, familial obligation, allegiance, and loss.
During this book reading which is her first event of 2022, Chimamanda who is arguably Africa’s most decorated writer read parts of the book to the audience. Thereafter, there was a Q&A session where the author fielded questions from readers and members of the press. The question and answer session quickly turned into an impromptu group therapy session as readers opened up about their struggles with grief and how the book is helping them.
“I also just felt really heartened that people were talking about their own grief. Ours is a country where we’re often told to move on. So you’re grieving and someone tells you, ‘oh, sorry, it has happened. Just move on” said Chimamanda.
“I’m grateful because I think it takes, not just showing vulnerability, but strength to talk about these things,” she added.
The book event was wrapped up outside at the Alliance Française amphitheater where more fans were waiting to get their books signed by the author. Read More…
