More Brit(ish) Than Ever

More Brit(ish) Than Ever

Lessons from Chimamanda

Twelve Things I Treasure From A Conversation with My Favourite Author

Afua's avatar
Afua
Aug 27, 2025
∙ Paid
On Stage at the 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I have loved Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novels since her first, Purple Hibiscus. I found Half of a Yellow Sun a masterpiece, and Americanah so close to my heart, there was a parallel world in which I fantasised about having written it. Her latest novel, Dream Count was twelve years in the making. And in that time I went from being a far away fan, to being asked to host her on stage. What. A. Dream.

In fact, the power of dreaming, as a feminist act, was one of the things we discussed. Dream Count, Chimamanda said, is a book about “women who dare to dream.”

It was hard, but I pulled out twelve gems for my subscribers from this funny, challenging and real conversation. I learned a lot from it. I hope you will too.

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Afua.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Afua · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture