44 pages • 1 hour read
Buchi EmechetaSecond Class Citizen
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1974A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta follows Adah's journey from Nigeria to England, detailing her struggles for education, marriage to Francis, and experiences as a mother in a foreign land while dealing with issues of race, class, and gender discrimination. Adah consistently redefines her role to achieve her goals, facing domestic violence and systemic discrimination along the way.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Emecheta's Second Class Citizen is praised for its raw and powerful portrayal of a Nigerian woman's resilience in post-colonial London. Readers appreciate its autobiographical depth and cultural insights, but some feel the narrative occasionally struggles with pacing. The novel stands out for addressing themes of identity, gender, and immigrant struggles effectively, though it can be intense and heavy.
Who Should Read Second Class Citizen?
Readers who find inspiration in stories of resilience and self-determination will enjoy Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta. It's perfect for fans of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, offering a powerful exploration of identity, womanhood, and cultural clash.
RecommendedReading Age
16-18yearsLexile Level
870LBook Details
Gender / Feminism
Race / Racism
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
African Literature
Historical Fiction
African American Literature
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Relationships: Family