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Cover of Half of a Yellow Sun

Literary · Historical

Half of a Yellow Sun

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

4.3 out of 5, from 240 ratings from Hardcover readers

Set in Nigeria in the 1960s, the story follows a houseboy, two sisters and an English writer as the Biafran secession turns their comfortable lives into a fight for survival.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
2006
Pace
Medium
Length
Long
Pages
541
Format
Standalone
Borrow free with Libby Compare prices Save to my shelf

Read this if you want a human-scale story of a historical war, told through characters you will not forget.

Skip this if you are not ready for scenes of famine, massacre and sexual violence.

The feel

Content warnings

  • War
  • Violence
  • Death
  • Sexual assault
  • Infidelity

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Rape
  • Genocide
  • Gun violence
  • Sexual content
  • Death of parent
  • Child death
  • Sexual violence

Quick answers about Half of a Yellow Sun

What is Half of a Yellow Sun about?
Set in Nigeria in the 1960s, the story follows a houseboy, two sisters and an English writer as the Biafran secession turns their comfortable lives into a fight for survival.
Who should read Half of a Yellow Sun?
Read it if you want a human-scale story of a historical war, told through characters you will not forget. Skip it if you are not ready for scenes of famine, massacre and sexual violence.
How long and how fast is Half of a Yellow Sun?
It is a medium-paced, long read of about 541 pages, first published in 2006.
Does Half of a Yellow Sun have content warnings?
Content we flag: War, Violence, Death, Sexual assault, Infidelity.
Can I borrow Half of a Yellow Sun for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Half of a Yellow Sun; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after Half of a Yellow Sun?
Readers who liked it often move on to Things Fall Apart, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Poisonwood Bible.

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