This books opens in present tense for both of our protagonists – Ifemelu and Obinze. Where Ifemelu, living in and leaving USA is reminiscing about her life so far; which includes her childhood and adolescent years in Nigeria, being a student in USA, surviving homesickness and solitary life in her adopted homeland, falling in and out of love but still searching for the meaning behind the notion. Whereas Obinze, living and returned to Nigeria; just fitting in the day-to-day realities of his current life.

The story moves forward but it’s more from the perspective of Ifemule. Through her eyes, we see her homeland throughout different time periods and changes it’s undergone. She who hails from Nigerian middle class, who in the changing time is struggling to make ends meet. Still she has a balanced, normal childhood and as she is entering adolescence; she meets Obinze.

Her kind of laid-back cushioned life been affected due to many changes happening around her, in Nigerian society – politically, socially and personally. Her Aunt Uju for example, who charters her own course of making a career out of her education and dreaming of a normal peaceful life; which ultimately shatters and she has to flee her homeland. This is closely watched by Ifemelu and it affects her, rather too deeply as it reflects in her maternal affection towards Aunt Uju’s son- Dike.

Eventually Ifemelu has to leave Nigeria and move to USA for further studies. This change not been easy on her and portrayed well by the author, from her inner turmoil to come to terms with new surroundings, people, economic differences, social classes come out quite openly and in strong tones. However, her stubborn, restless nature comes to fore from time-to-time and eventually explodes out through her blog. This stubbornness, her inability to feel committed to any one person after abruptly cutting out Obinze leads her through a lot of emotional turmoil and finally brings her back to Lagos to her soul mate.

Here, I found Obinze’s story to be more grim and stark compared to Ifemelu. The trials and hardship he has to face in UK, alters the course of his thinking. Leading him to his current life of money spinning businesses and lavish lifestyle.

Finally, both of these stories intersect and what happens is at once expected and unexpected.

Will say a must read for the lovers of a good book presenting a well wrapped package of race, nationality, culture and of course, love.