The literary world seems to be moving gradually in the direction of women, evident in the number of books by female writers published each year and the bags of award that comes with it.
We have put together seven beautiful novels by female writers, that promises not only to impart your life, but will stay most likely till the end. They are all must-have, precious gifts that should be dusted every day.
1. The Phoenix By Chika Unigwe
Chika Unigwe’s debut, “The Phoenix” originally published in Dutch as “De Feniks,” follows the story of Oge married to a Belgian, Gunter. She is confronted with the challenges of living in a country where African migrants are looked down on, but even more, with the tragedies of the accidental death of her son and the discovery that she has cancer. Scarred by these tragedies, we get to meet the people in Oge’s life before and during her stay in Belgium.
Chika Unigwe is the author of the award winning novel, “On Black Sisters Street.”
2. Half of a Yellow Sun By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Set during the Biafran war, “Half of a Yellow Sun” explores the themes of love, violence and loss. Olanna and Kainene, born into a wealthy family would decide to stay back and wait the war out, when they could have left the country like most people who had the means then did. This novel is for keeps, the story never really leaves.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the author of the award winning novel, “Americanah.”
3. Everything Good Will Come By Sefi Atta
Sefi Atta takes us through the myriads of post-colonial/post-civil war challenges confronting Nigeria, through Enitan. This coming of age story, follows the life of Enitan as she grows into woman and learns to scale the ropes of life.nka
“Everything Good Will Come” won the 2006 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.
4. Under the Udala Trees By Chinelo Okparanta
“Under the Udala Trees,” is a coming of age story of a young gay woman, in a mono society who finds love during the famed Biafra war.
“Under the Udala Trees,” was longlisted for the Centre for Fiction First Novel Prize.
5. Ghana must Go By Taiye Selasi
The title of the novel is derived from the popular phrase directed at Ghanaian emigrants by Nigerians. The story follows the Sai family torn apart by grief and the conflicts at various stages confronting the family.
Selasi was in 2013 selected as one of Granta′s 20 Best Young British Writers.
6. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives By Lola Shoneyin
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, follows the story of Bolanle a graduate who is expected to know better, and takes the weird decision of becoming the fourth wife of a wealthy patriarch Baba Segi. The drama begins when she was unable to conceive and the quest for a solution begins.
“The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives,” was Longlisted for the 2011 Orange Prize, won the 2011 PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award and won two Association of Nigerian Authors Awards.
7. Who Fears Death By Nnedi Okoroafor
“Who Fears Death,” explores the themes of genocide, rape, war and violence against women in a post-apocalyptic Africa.
“Who Fears Death” won the 2011 The World Fantasy Award (Best Novel)
