In The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi, eight-year-old Jessamy Harrison, the daughter of an English father and a Nigerian mother, travels with her parents to Nigeria, where she meets TillyTilly, a mysterious girl who leads her into increasingly troublesome and supernatural situations, further complicating Jess's struggles with social integration, family secrets, and her sense of identity. Child illness, mental health struggles, and a serious injury during a sleepover feature prominently.

Helen Oyeyemi’s The Icarus Girl is lauded for its exploration of cultural identity and psychological depth. Reviewers appreciate Oyeyemi’s lyrical prose and vivid imagination, though some find the novel’s pacing uneven and its themes complex. Overall, it’s praised for originality and emotional resonance, offering a compelling, if occasionally challenging, read.

A reader who would enjoy The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi is likely captivated by psychological thrillers and literary fiction that delve into themes of identity, cultural conflict, and the supernatural. Fans of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and Beloved by Toni Morrison may find this novel compelling.

Mysterious / Unnerving / Dark / Melancholic / Contemplative

Helen Oyeyemi

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

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Before You Read The Icarus Girl | SuperSummary

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Overview

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The Icarus Girl Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

The Icarus Girl Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-9

The Icarus Girl Part 1, Chapters 5-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 1-3

The Icarus Girl Part 2, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 4-7

The Icarus Girl Part 2, Chapters 4-7 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 8-11

The Icarus Girl Part 2, Chapters 8-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 12-15

The Icarus Girl Part 2, Chapters 12-15 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 16-19

The Icarus Girl Part 2, Chapters 16-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapter 20-Part 3, Chapter 2

The Icarus Girl Part 2, Chapter 20-Part 3, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Icarus Girl Character Analysis

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Themes

The Icarus Girl Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Icarus Girl Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Icarus Girl Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Icarus Girl Essay Topics

The Icarus Girl

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Icarus Girl?

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Book Details