International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day marked to celebrate women all over the world and rally for women’s equality.
There have been a great number of female Nigerian writers, including some of the world’s most famous authors making a strong contribution in the world and they deserve to be celebrated.
As today marks another IWD, eelive.ng highlights four top novels written by Nigerian female authors. If you have not read the books below, now is a good time to grab a copy. Happy Women’s Day!
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie is a Nigerian writer whose works range from novels, short stories to nonfiction. Her original and initial inspiration came from reading Chinua Achebe‘s 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart, at the age of 10; Adichie was inspired by seeing her own life represented in the pages
Purple Hibiscus which is her first book, tells the story of Kambili Achike who tries to discover herself amid love, family loyalty, religion and domestic violence.
The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emacheta
Buchi Emecheta was a Nigerian-born novelist, based in the UK. She has authored more than 20 books including Joys of Motherhood, Second Class citizen and The Slave Girl.
Joys of Motherhood which details child slavery, motherhood, female independence and freedom through education gained recognition through critics and honours.
Efuru by Flora Nwapa
Florence Nwapa is referred to as the mother of modern African literature. She was the forerunner to a generation of African women writers, and was also acknowledged as the first female African novelist to be published in English language in Britain.
Efuru is the first novel written by a Nigerian/African woman to be published internationally. The tells the story of, an Igbo woman (Efuru) who lives in a small village in colonial West Africa. Throughout the story, Efuru wishes to be a mother, though she is an independent-minded woman and respected for her trading ability.
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Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparan
Chinelo Okparanta is a Nigerian-American novelist and short-story writer. She was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where she was raised until the age of 10; when she left to the United States with her family.
Under the Udala Trees was written by Chinelo Okaparanta in 2015. It is set in 1960s Nigeria. It tells the story of Ijeoma, a girl growing up in war-torn Nigeria who must come terms to term with her sexuality and the conflict this presents in society.
Written by Oluwatobi Olusola