Books by African authors that I have read, and I think everyone should

Graduate student Michelle has some suggestions for those looking for African literature.

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michelle

YouAlberta is written by students for students.

Michelle is a first-year master’s student in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science, conducting research on Lead-Zinc deposits at Pine Point. She desires to contribute to global knowledge in mineral exploration through research and make significant contributions to the field of economic geology. She's Nigerian and moved to Edmonton last fall to start her program. Outside of academia, she's an avid reader and writer when she can get the time, enjoys hanging out with friends, spending time with family, travelling, as well as attending Bible study and church on Sundays.


As a Black woman, I grew up deeply immersed in the rich stories of African literature. Within these pages, I realized I could relate to the stories, which mirrored some of my own experiences and explored issues affecting societies in Africa today. I could see myself in the woman whose husband decided to take on another wife, the woman who finds God amidst her hurt, the woman blamed by society for not being able to have children or the woman married off at a young age to an older man. Some of these books have evoked laughter in me, and others have brought me to tears — many have opened my eyes to our rich history. To celebrate Black History Month, I have compiled a couple of books by African authors who inspire me to celebrate and honour those who have paved the way for African literature. As a Nigerian, I tend to favour Nigerian authors when picking books, so I plead your forgiveness in advance if this list has a lot more Nigerian authors. 

So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ

So Long a Letter is a classic by a Senegalese author and one of my favourites. It is a captivating book about the lives of two Senegalese women and the demands society places on them. Ramatoulaye writes to her friend Aissatou, and in her letters, reflects on a lot of things, including the death of her husband and her marriage. Both women have had to deal with their husbands taking second wives, and for Ramatoulaye, this happened to be her daughter's friend. Ramatoulaye's story resonates with readers because it reflects the reality of many African women today. 

Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta

Buchi Emecheta is a Nigerian author, and her book depicts the challenges of women, particularly African women, at home and abroad. It delves into Adah's childhood and the difficulties of growing up in a culture that looks down on women. Despite all of the challenges in her path, Adah fights to attend school and finally marries in order to further her education. Adah and her husband relocate to the UK in pursuit of a better life. However, she is treated as a second-class citizen by society and her husband because of her race and gender. "Second-class citizen" is an emotional narrative that tells the story of many African women fighting for the opportunity to get an education. 

Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza

I read Left to Tell because my secondary school librarian talked about it a lot. My curiosity was piqued, but I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster I would experience. Immaculée survived the Rwandan genocide by hiding in a bathroom with other women for 91 days. She returns home to a destroyed house and must bury her family. Immaculée tells the account of the Rwandan genocide, the horror of being so close to death, the aftermath, rebuilding her life and her faith in Jesus that kept her through the horrific events and helped her forgive the perpetrators.

Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John

Born on a Tuesday by Nigeria's Elnathan John is a poignant story set in northern Nigeria. The plot revolves around a young man, an 'almajiri,' as he navigates life as an impoverished youngster growing up on the streets of northern Nigeria. Dantala's story, like that of many young men in northern Nigeria, explores the adversity they suffer, Nigeria's political divisions and how these men are exploited by those in power and used to fuel that conflict. The writer seeks to paint the realities of these men while immersing the reader in the rich culture of the setting. 

Faceless by Amma Darko

Amma Darko is a prominent Ghanaian writer. Faceless is another story that delves into the life of a child growing up on the streets. Fofo's life is difficult as a child growing up on the streets who must fend for herself. Despite her circumstances, she dreams of a better life. Fofo's life changes when her sister's disfigured body is discovered on the streets; her life's goal becomes to get revenge for her sister's death. Darko's brilliant writing explores abandonment, abuse against women, parental and societal neglect of street children and the harsh reality that they confront.

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is my favourite African author, and this list would be incomplete without her. Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun narrates the story of the Biafran War through the lives of Ugwu, Odenigbo, Olanna, Kainene, and Richard. Their different perspectives reflect the awful reality of war, including the loss of loved ones; it also depicts life during war, the inevitability of war's repercussions and how it affects every part of people's lives.

Desert Flower by Waris Dirie and Cathleen Miller

This autobiography chronicles Warris Dirie's story, from the dunes of Somalia to becoming a supermodel. Waris grows up in Somalia and, at the age of five, goes through the traumatic rite of female genital mutilation. Waris will soon be married off to a man in his fifties when she is thirteen years old. To avoid this fate, she travels to the capital of Somalia and ends up in London, where she is scouted for a modelling career. Waris' story is one that inspires me greatly; it shows a young woman who fought to escape the cruel environment she was raised in and now advocates for women's rights, particularly against female genital mutilation.

Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo

Yejide's story in Stay with Me is one of grief, and it unfortunately depicts the truth of how women like her are treated by society. Yejide and Akin have been married for a couple of years but are unable to conceive. During this time, Yejide bears most of the criticism from Akin's family and society. Akin's mother forces him to marry a second wife, and Yejide is forced to live with it. Yejide finally gets pregnant, and a convoluted web unravels as the story progresses.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart depicts the intricacies of Igbo culture during the pre-colonial period. Okonkwo dislikes his father, whom he considers feminine and strives to leave a legacy for himself and earn the respect of his people. The arrival of white missionaries threatens his family and their traditions as his son leaves to become a Christian. Things Fall Apart explores the traditions of the Igbo culture and the effect of colonialism on these long-held traditions.