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Books that introduced me to African literature
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items These are some of the best stories I read and enjoyed as a young girl. Most are Nigerian, but you'll also find stories from other parts of the continent.
If this is your vibe, enjoy
I read the Igbo version of this book first (Title: Anu ebu Nwa) as a teen and loved it then. Recently picked up the English version again as an adult and could not put it down. Like, it was that good 😭.
The Potter's Wheel by Chukwuemeka Ike
I read this book as a child, then as a teenager, then again as an adult and honestly I will probably read it again.
And that's how you know a book is something special.
Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe
This is the 2nd part of Achebe's trilogy and honestly, I read it years ago but it has never really left my mind. If you loved Things Fall Apart, this one is a must.
No Longer at Ease - Chinua Achebe
This one's the third and final part of the Achebe's trilogy and he did not disappoint.
Arrow of God - Chinua Achebe
I found this book almost twenty years ago in my grandparents' house and still remember its musty scent.
It was way too old for my age then😭 but did that stop me?
Absolutely not.
Jagua Nana by Cyprian Ekwensi
I read this when I was younger and really enjoyed it.
The book is about a man who loses his betrothed to a richer man and then goes to extreme lengths just to get back at the man who took her. Good read
An African's Night Entertainment - Cyprian Ekwensi
This is one of the books I'd love to get my hands on again. It's about a young girl, Ebele, who was sent to leave with her extremely wicked aunt in the city.
The Maids Are Not To Blame by Menankiti Onyekwelu
This one is a little sad and if you like angst, you are going to like it. A woman who loved her husband so deeply that when he died, she simply could not imagine a life without him and decided to follow him to the afterlife.
Overall, a really good r...
Idu - Flora Nwapa
It's been many years since I read this book, but I still remember the story and the author.
The Beggar's Strike by Aminata Sow Fall
I read this years ago and I still think about it sometimes. I don’t really remember every detail, but I do remember the feeling it left me with.
The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born - Ayi Kwei Armah
This book is about a young boy in colonial Kenya dealing with school, family pressure, and growing up in a changing world.
Weep Not, Child - Ngugi Wa Thiong'o
I read this book for English class in high school and loved Pokuwaa. It's a story about a woman facing the pressure of marriage and infertility, and how society judges her through it.
Woman in Her Prime by Asare Konadu
This too was for an English class in high school and it's dear to my heart because it was set in my state, Enugu.
Purple Hibiscus - Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi
This book is one of my favorite CNA books. I love how it explores moving from Nigeria to America and the way that shift affects relationships, race, and the experience of trying to live between different worlds.
Americanah - Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi
Another one of my favorite books by Chimamanda. It tells the story of love, family, and survival during the Nigerian Civil War.
Half of a Yellow Sun - Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi
This book is a thoughtful story about love, friendship, and the different paths our lives can take. I enjoyed how it explored the choices and relationships that shape who we become.
Dream Count - Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi
This is one of the first Nigerian novels I read that centered a woman's life, ambitions, and struggles. As someone who loves strong and independent FMCs, Efuru's story stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Efuru - Flora Nwapa
One of the things I remember most about this book is how much I wanted a HEA for Ihuoma and Ekwueme. I cried and crewed at the end which is why I only read romances now.
Real life is sad enough please🙏🏽😂
The Concubine by Elechi Amadi
This was a sad read, but it also made me realize how much life has changed for women, especially African women. Adah's story is a reminder of how far we've come and how far there still is to go.
Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta
This was the 1st Buchi Emecheta book I read and it was both heartbreaking and eye opening in ways I didn't expect.
The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta