"African Ensemble's Storehouse of Dreams": A Four-Part Exploration
From Silence to Stories: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Journey with L'inventaire des rêves and Beyond
After a decade of literary stardom following Americanah's planetary success in 2015, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is back with a choral novel, L'inventaire des rêves. Set between Nigeria and the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel interweaves the lives of four African women, exploring themes of love, identity, and resilience.
During her literary hiatus, Adichie grappled with writer's block, a challenging phase she candidly discussed. "When I wrote Americanah, I felt like it was this incredible emotional outpouring," she said in an interview. "So when I couldn't write for a while, I panicked. I spent a lot of time panicking." However, she adds, "Success doesn't bring certainties. Sometimes, you forget."
Losing her parents a year apart and becoming a mother to three children were significant Life milestones for the writer. Nevertheless, she managed to find solace and inspiration in her work. "I started writing after my mother's death. It was maybe her way of helping me cope with her absence," Adichie shared, mentioning that her parents had encouraged her to pursue her dreams, despite initially pushing her to become a doctor.
Exploring Love, Friendship, and Identity
L'inventaire des rêves centers on the dreams, desires, and aspirations of women, delving into how these dreams can be both nurturing and toxic. Adichie points out the double-edged sword of societal expectations placed on women, especially in African societies where marriage is often encouraged as a woman's top priority.
The novel shines a light on the dynamic relationships between its female characters, from the complexities of intimacy and self-esteem to the impacts of gender inequality. Adichie's characters are strong-willed and independent, yet vulnerable at times, balancing their ambitions with traditions and cultural norms.
Meanwhile, the theme of motherhood is deeply intertwined in the narrative, with Adichie shedding light on the burdens and expectations that society places on young girls. As she explains, "There's a second kind of burden that weighs on women. Sometimes, being born a girl means that society has already dreamed your dreams for you."
Friendships with a Nigerian Twist
Beyond love and family relationships, L'inventaire des rêves also portrays the deep and lasting bonds of friendship. Adichie believes that friendships in Nigeria are unique and often more profound than those in Western cultures. In America, she felt that friendships were based on superficial connections, while in Nigeria, they formed sisterly bonds.
The novel is also a reflection of the complex relationships between whites, African-Americans, and African immigrants in the United States. As with Americanah, the characters offer critical insights on these relationships from a feminist and outsider perspective.
A Call for Dreaming
Inspired by the civil rights movement of African-Americans, Adichie emphasizes the importance of dreaming, particularly during challenging times such as the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. She encourages readers to envision a better future and to challenge the status quo:
"I think it's now that we need to dream. I really believe that. I think that, in a way, political movements are also driven by dreams. If we think about the civil rights movement of African-Americans, they dreamed of what was possible. We can project what we think is normal, decent, honorable."
On the Horizon: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Launching as a feminist icon after her 2012 TEDx talk that went viral, Adichie continues to push boundaries with her writing and advocacy work. The DSK affair, for instance, serves as the inspiration behind one of her novel's characters, Kadiatou.
Adichie remains committed to using her voice to advocate for equality, as she embraces her role as a writer, mother, and activist. From Dream Count to future works, she will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations with her powerful prose and thought-provoking perspectives.
[1] Douglas, K. (2020). An Interview with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for TED Original's 'XYC.' Medium. https://medium.com/ted-conversations/an-interview-with-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-for-ted-originals-xyc-6b9448a094e4
[2] Oruh, O. (2022). Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's writing process and her deep connection with readers. Okayafrica. https://okayafrica.com/culture/chimamanda-ngozi-adichies-writing-process-and-her-deep-connection-with-readers/
[3] Thompson, C. (2015, March 3). How Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Became a Best-Selling Author. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/t-magazine/how-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-became-a-best-selling-author.html
- Following her literary success and a brief hiatus, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has delved into the realm of books, exploring themes of lifestyle, politics, and general-news in her choral novel 'L'inventaire des rêves'.
- In addition to delving into the experiences of love, friendship, and identity, 'L'inventaire des rêves' also discusses entertainment and societal expectations, particularly in African societies.
- As a renowned feminist icon, Adichie continues to push boundaries in her works, offering insights on various topics, including but not limited to politics, lifestyle, and general-news.
