In this episode of pplpod, we explore the life and career of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian writer widely recognized as a central figure in postcolonial feminist literature. We trace her journey from her childhood in Nsukka, Nigeria, to her education in the United States and her rise as a literary star with novels like Purple Hibiscus and the Orange Prize-winning Half of a Yellow Sun, which depicts the trauma of the Biafran War,,.

We discuss how Adichie uses storytelling to examine themes of immigration, race, and cultural identity, particularly in her 2013 novel Americanah,. We also dive into her massive impact as a public speaker; her TED Talks, "The Danger of a Single Story" and "We Should All Be Feminists," have garnered millions of views and even influenced pop culture through samples by Beyoncé and fashion collaborations with Dior,,.

This episode also covers:

• Style and Beliefs: Adichie’s use of Igbo language in her writing, her "womanist" approach to feminism, and her views on fashion as a form of political agency,,.

• Controversies: The backlash regarding her public comments on transgender women and the subsequent debates within the literary community,.

• Personal Tragedy and Legacy: Her reflections on loss in Notes on Grief following the death of her parents, her 2025 novel Dream Count, and the tragic passing of her young son in 2026,,.