HALF OF A YELLOW SUN, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

(originally posted on September 4, 2006)

This is, point blank, the future of literature. Adichie's talent was already in evidence with PURPLE HIBISCUS, but that a writer so young can so near-perfectly capture the turmoil of war, of ideas uplifted and shattered, is truly amazing - and beyond the grasp of those far older than she. Epic in scope and vision, it's the kind of fiction that should be written more often, but most people are too afraid to even try. No question, one of the best books I've read this year.