( CNN ) -- One of Africa 's brightest young writers , 31-year-old Chimamanda Adichie has already been recognised for her talent ; her debut novel was shortlisted for the Orange Fiction Prize in 2004 . The Nigerian novelist talks to CNN about her craft , her country and identity .
31-year-old novelist grew up in Nigeria and studied in U.S. First novel was shortlisted for Orange Fiction prize ; has won other literary awards . - The author of the book "The Last Days of Pompeii" is a professor at University of California, Santa Barbara.