Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions cover art

Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

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Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Narrated by: January Lavoy
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About this listen

From the best-selling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists comes a powerful new statement about feminism today – written as a letter to a friend.

I have some suggestions for how to raise Chizalum. But remember that you might do all the things I suggest, and she will still turn out to be different from what you hoped, because sometimes life just does its thing. What matters is that you try.

In We Should All be Feminists, her eloquently argued and much admired essay of 2014, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie proposed that if we want a fairer world we need to raise our sons and daughters differently. Here, in this remarkable new book, Adichie replies by letter to a friend’s request for help on how to bring up her newborn baby girl as a feminist. With its fifteen pieces of practical advice it goes right to the heart of sexual politics in the twenty-first century.

©2017 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Gender Studies Parenting & Families Political Science Politics & Government Relationships Social Sciences Thought-Provoking Inspiring

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Critic reviews

‘Take note world. When Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie tells you to listen, you listen’ Stylist

‘Dear Ijeawele reminds us that, in the history of feminist writing, it is often the personal and epistolary voice that carries the political story most powerfully – For me, the most powerful sentence in the book is its simplest, and comes in only the third paragraph. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie urges Ijeawele to remember to transmit to her daughter “the solid unbending belief that you start off with . . . Your feminist premise should be: I matter. I matter equally. Not ‘if only’. Not ‘as long as’. I matter equally. Full stop.”..there is no doubt that if we raised all of our daughters to believe completely that they “matter equally”, to trust what they feel and think and to worry less about how they look and come across, we would soon find new ways to challenge the multiple injustices and indignities that still limit, and even wreck, so many women’s lives.’ New Statesman
All stars
Most relevant  
Ms Adichie can do no wrong in my opinion, every work of her's has either been inspiring or enjoyable, as with this one. The narration wasn't too bad but you really need an indigene for authenticity, some pronunciations grated.

Great words of wisdom, narration wasn't too bad

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A lovely gathering of thoughts, which may help to clarify some of the views of raising children. Loved the definition given. Really interesting and enable read

Thoughtful Gift for a new mama

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love it. i would recommend to all aspiring mothers. it represents true perception of the igbo culture about societal view of women.

this is a very authentic and pure book.

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there are things in here I hadn't thought of. The accent was a bit off.

thought provoking

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I loved this book, it was thought provoking, affirmative and refreshing. Will definitely be sharing with all the young women in my life!

Amazing and insightful!

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I love Chimamanda's writing and this book should be read by all parents, grandparents, family members - in fact by EVERYONE! It doesn't matter if you're a parent of a girl or boy - read this book!



Brilliant

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loved it great book. it's an easy read yet portrays a simple and succinct message on ways to raise a feminist

loved it. great illustrations of ways to raise a f

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Short, to the point, and what great thinking points they were!! Thank you Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie!

Loved this!

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This is a book you should own.
Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is a letter she wrote to a close friend who has just given birth to a daughter. The friend has asked her to describe how to raise the daughter to be a feminist in Nigeria, a male dominated country.
This book with its compelling and frank voice, lifts the lid on how easily and without deep thinking, we enter into the parenting and rearing of our children. We do not think of the long term effects of what or how we are parenting. Beautifully and sensitively written and read, with both humour and and honesty, this story challenges a parent to be deliberate in how they raise their children, especially girls. It challenges parents to think about the values, stereotypes and culturalised discriminatory practices we practice without even knowing it.
"Teach her that the idea of 'gender roles' is absolute nonsense. Do not ever tell her that she should or should not do something because she is a girl.
'Because you are a girl' is never reason for anything. Ever."
"If we don't place the straitjacket of gender roles on young children, we give them space to reach their full potential."

Let's be deliberate in bringing up our children. Firstly to know and love themselves as they are, secondly to treasure all of humanity and thirdly to live a values driven life contributing meaningfully to the world.
“Teach her to love books. If she sees you reading she will understand that reading is valuable. Books will help her understand the world, help her express herself, and help her in whatever she wants to become.”
Read it.
You will be forever changed.

Compulsory Reading For Parents

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What a wonderful letter to read. The advice she gives may not be to everyone's taste, but the point is, it doesn't have to be. I wish I had had the words when my daughter was growing up. I did my best and in many ways she is a strong woman I just wish I could have helped her more. Brilliant Chimamanda, just brilliant 😃😃

Wonderful

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