Nigeria celebrates independence today. There is much art and cultural produce that I could showcase from that vast and colourful nation but, as a lover of African literature, I've chosen to focus on that. Some of the best novels that I've read are by Nigerian writers and here are a few that I highly recommend:
A Way of Being Free
by Ben Okri
A collection of essays that celebrate life, creativity and liberation. Insightful, rejuvenating and inspiring, this is a great read that you can keep coming back to.
Anthills of the Savannah
by Chinua Achebe
A tale of three friends that draws us into their world – a post-colonial African nation – and all of its trials. Told through their voices, the novel deals with betrayal, disappointment and hope in a very entertaining way.
Purple Hibiscus
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Superbly done, using the story of a young girl and her privileged yet abusive domestic world, to tell a larger story about the Nigerian state and its similar contradictions.
Measuring Time
by Helon Habila
A sensitive tale of twins whose different personalities and paths, as well as those of their family and others around them, reveal the multiple narratives of the wider society, and nation.
What?!! No ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ and ‘Things fall apart’?!! Things must surely be falling apart Lu…
Easy there, if you refer to the post at the following address, you will find one of those: http://www.afri-love.com/2010/09/five-of-my-all-time-favourite-african-novels.html
I do love Things Fall Apart, I do. However, that’s probably one of the most famous Nigerian novels and I’m attempting to give some exposure to other gems that may be further off the radar.
Thanks for commenting 🙂