About grieving

A moving reflection on grief caused by the death of her father.

In this emotional and powerful essay, stemming from an article published in The New Yorker, the Nigerian author puts into words the unspeakable degree of pain caused by her father's sudden death in Nigeria: the COVID-19 pandemic's health crisis prevented the author from being able to leave the United States to reunite with her family.

In an attempt to find solace from the feeling of emptiness that shook her to the core, On Grief is a brief but intelligent and moving autobiographical chronicle of the initial stages of managing loss, a revealing examination of the nature of pain, a tribute to the father who called her "nwoke neli" ("the one who equals many men") and a profound reflection on the Igbo language and traditions.

This book is framed within the most raging and painful current events: the author writes from the certainty of being just one more among millions of grieving people, about the cultural and family dimensions of grief and, also, about the loneliness and anger inherent to it. On Grief is an essential book for these times. And, yet, it will prove timeless, enduring, and an indispensable addition to the author's canon. In the same format as We Should All Be Feminists, readers will cherish and share it more than ever.

Critics have said...

"Adichie writes to explore the nature of collective grief during the pandemic, about "being one of those millions of grieving people, about the family and cultural dimensions of grief and, also, about the loneliness and anger that accompany it."

The Guardian

"One of the most promising African writers of her generation."

The Guardian

"Chimamanda is extremely skilled at expressing complex ideas [...], a brave, direct woman, with the gift of getting to the heart of things."

Elvira Lindo

"A universal writer."

El País

"A writer who has a lot to say."

The Times