Purple Hibiscus takes place in Enugu, a city in post-colonial Nigeria, and is narrated by the main character, 15-year-old Kambili Achike. The novel tells the story of how Kambili's survives an abusive father and finds her voice amidst the political turmoil of 1990s Nigeria.
Kambili lives in an affluent household with her older brother Jaja, her mother Mama, and her father. Papa is a strict authoritarian whose adherence to Catholicism embitters his love. On Palm Sunday, Papa throws his missal at his son for missing church. Jaja's defiant act, and the violence that follows, marks the beginning of the end for the Achike family. Kambili explains the events leading up to Palm Sunday,...
