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The Arrangements: A Work of Fiction

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Narrated by: January Lavoy
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Summary

Commissioned by the New York Times to write a story on any aspect of the 2016 presidential campaign, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie created a delicious, subversive, incisive fictional account of Melania Trump

Once, in the early years, before she fully understood him, she had asked what his favourite flowers were.

’I use the best florists in the city, they’re terrific,’ he replied, and she realised that taste, for him, was something to be determined by somebody else, and then flaunted.

From one of our greatest writers, a short story about today’s befuddling political climate, an imaginary account of a day in the life of Melania Trump and a fictional glimpse into the lives of the strange family residing in Trump Tower.

©2016 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (P)2017 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

"A writer with a great deal to say." (The Times)
"Here is a new writer endowed with the gift of ancient storytellers." (Chinua Achebe)
"Adiche [has] virtuosity, boundless empathy and searing social acuity." (Dave Eggers)

What listeners say about The Arrangements: A Work of Fiction

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great short story to while away half an hour with.

such a fun little tale. chimamanda is a great story teller and this is such a lovely way to spend a few minutes.

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Doesn't disappoint, I want to hear more.

Fiction based on fact that is enjoyable, exploring another angle, I loved it. Very visual and greet narration, I would love to read more.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Vivid detail

Loved it. Each scene, intricately detailed.

I wish she could write more into this story. I chuckled at most points.


It would make for a great tv series.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Comical

I like the humour however the book is too short No storyline which beats the purpose of reading a book. I like Chimamanda's books, this one falls short of her usual standard
Its worth reading if you fancy a short comedy

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A coherent normalization of a staggering premise

One of the things I love about contemporary fulfillment of prophecies, is that you don't know it's being fulfilled until the 'butterfly has almost completely emerged from the chrysalis'.
It's a truly bold piece of contemporary fantasy fiction- think Lord of the rings... with Melania as Frodo.
The portrayal of Melania as a layered character whose deft sure-footedness only belies a quaking uncertainty that the clock will soon strike 12 and her glass slippers will shatter and lacerate her delicate feet.
The 'feminist' author explores the contradictory duality of female rivalry- how one can loathe, love and even admire a person.

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Took a second to realize the satire!

A pretty funny soap opera abour the lead up to the US election focussing on Melania Trump's viewpoint. She's frustrated yet in denial, and possibly in the closet? I'd find it more hilarious if it wasn't so tragically realistic in many aspects.

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Brilliant Short story

I listened to this engaging short story during a bus journey today and found myself immersed in Melania-land. The most memorable part of the story was Melania's emerging fascination with her personal trainer, Janelle. Overall, a very well read fiction that probably reveals sour truths. I adore this writer because she always delivers the literary goods and would definitely listen to a book narrated by January Lovejoy.

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I loved it!

I really would have liked it to be much longer than it was. But it was great, nevertheless.

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Amazingly beautiful piece

Oh how I missed it wouldn’t end. I loved every piece of it. I’m actually going to listen to it again.

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very engaging

Didn't want it to end. Intriguing, loved it. Need another 7 chapters at least ...

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