What Napoleon Could Not Do by DK Nnuro Summary

What Napoleon Could Not Do follows Ghanaian siblings Jacob and Belinda Nti, whose lives diverge as they pursue the American Dream. Jacob faces visa denials and a crumbling marriage, while Belinda navigates a green card struggle despite her academic success. The novel explores immigration, cultural identity, and the clash between ambition and reality through their perspectives and that of Belinda’s husband, Wilder, a disillusioned African American businessman.

This book appeals to readers interested in immigrant narratives, African diasporic experiences, and nuanced family dynamics. Fans of literary fiction tackling themes like systemic bureaucracy, racial identity, and the cost of ambition will find it compelling. It’s particularly relevant for those exploring how America’s promise intersects with personal and generational trauma.

Yes, for its layered exploration of immigration and sharp character studies. While some critics note pacing issues, the novel’s unflinching portrayal of dashed hopes and its balance of humor and tragedy make it stand out. It’s been praised as a “buzziest debut” and included in Barack Obama’s 2023 summer reading list.

The phrase refers to Belinda’s achievement of moving to America—a feat her father compares to surpassing Napoleon’s failed ambitions. It underscores the novel’s theme of conquering systemic barriers, while hinting at the emotional toll such victories entail for immigrant families.

The novel critiques the myth of America as a meritocratic paradise. For Jacob, it’s an unattainable fortress; Belinda achieves success but faces bureaucratic and marital disillusionment. Wilder, born American, reveals the nation’s racial inequities, creating a multifaceted critique of the immigrant experience.

Key themes include:

• Immigration bureaucracy: Visa struggles and green card marriages.
• Family rivalry: Sibling dynamics shaped by unequal opportunities.
• Racial identity: Contrasting African and African American perspectives.
• Trauma: Wilder’s Vietnam War past and Jacob’s self-sabotage.

Jacob embodies thwarted ambition—a Ghanaian programmer trapped by visa rejections and a failing marriage. His resentment toward Belinda and impulsive decisions reveal the psychological toll of systemic exclusion, making him a tragic figure of unrealized potential.

Marriages are transactional tools for immigration: Belinda weds Wilder for stability, while Jacob’s union with Patricia collapses under visa pressures. These relationships highlight the sacrifices immigrants make for legal status and the emotional voids left behind.

Wilder’s trauma from the Vietnam War and a Laotian village massacre adds depth to his cynicism about America. His wealth contrasts with Belinda’s struggles, emphasizing how race and class shape disparate immigrant experiences.

Some reviewers cite uneven pacing and underdeveloped subplots. However, most praise its emotional resonance and fresh perspective on immigration. A 2-star Goodreads review calls it “disappointing” despite its promising themes.

Unlike linear tales of assimilation, Nnuro’s nonlinear structure and focus on intra-family conflict offer a darker, more complex take. It aligns with works like Americanah but emphasizes bureaucratic hurdles over cultural adjustment.

The novel contrasts Ghanaian and American social hierarchies, explores African diasporic identity fractures, and critiques how systemic racism persists across generations. It also dissects the global South’s perception of the U.S. as both aspirational and forbidding.