Interview: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author Of 'Americanah' : NPR

Interview: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author Of 'Americanah' : NPR: School romances face a lot of obstacles: the big decision at graduation, the competing demands of two burgeoning careers, perhaps a period spent in long-distance relationship. But the young lovers in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's latest novel, Americanah, must overcome even more challenges than usual: military rule, immigration restrictions and, during their years apart, other relationships.

Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love as students in Nigeria, when the country is under military rule and those with the means to leave the country do so. Ifemelu goes to America to study, and she prospers there, trying out different jobs and relationships while writing a blog about her sudden new awareness of race.

Obinze, on the other hand, can't get into to America in the days following Sept. 11. He winds up living in London, under assumed names, and nearly gets married there before he's sent back to Nigeria.