Imagery in Purple Hibiscus

After my reading of the first 103 pages in Purple Hibiscus, one of the first thoughts that struck me about the novel was how heavily the author utilizes imagery. From my reading, it seemed as if every page had at least one extended description that contained numerous appeals to the senses. Although I recognize the value of imagery in a work of literature to make the words real to the reader, I almost think that the imagery in Purple Hibiscus, is overdone, and beings to lose its meaning due to its frequency. One example of particularly can be found on page 41 when Kambili says: "I followed him. As he climbed the stairs in his red silk pajamas, his buttocks quivered and shook like akimbo, properly made akimbo, jellylike" (41). The author is clearly trying to make a connection to akimbo so the reader can better develop an image, but I find the comparison to be distasteful and irrelevant. Similarly, on page 14 Kambili makes another bizarre statement when she exclaims: "I reached for my glass and stared at the juice, watery yellow, like urine" (14). As a reader I think that I can understand what the author is trying to do with her imagery, but I personally feel that it adds nothing to the plot, rather it takes away from what is happening and makes me cringe.