1. PrincessGarnet

    PrincessGarnet New Member

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    African literature

    Discussion in 'Discussion of Published Works' started by PrincessGarnet, Dec 17, 2007.

    Anyone ever read a fictional book written by an African author? I'm interested in the continent and thought it might be good to read some literature. I have a few recommendations from my tutor, but I was wondering if anyone here had come across anything interesting?
     
  2. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    anything by the south african author alan paton is good... same goes for fugard, gordimer, coetzee... and michener's 'covenant' is a compelling and comprehensive history of the various south african peoples... but if you meant only black african authors, then you should check out nobel laureate wole soyinka's work...
     
  3. fortune cookie

    fortune cookie New Member

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    Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche was amazing, and is truly one of the best books I've ever read.
    Anything by Chinua Achebe is a MUST. I would start with Things Fall Apart or Arrow of God.
    Goodluck
     
  4. Kid At <3

    Kid At <3 New Member

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    This wasn't by an African author, but it shows the cruelty that South Africans faced in the early 1940's. It's called 'The Power of One' by Bryce Courtenay
     
  5. missingmuse

    missingmuse New Member

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    What about Nadine Gordimer?
     
  6. andycerrone

    andycerrone New Member

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    Achebe is a great writer, I would recommend as a good diving point Things Fall Apart, it is a great read and probably is his most popular novel.
     
  7. andycerrone

    andycerrone New Member

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    Also, I'm not sure if you mean African in the terms of the continent, or if you also want to include African-American writing that keeps roots in the traditional African lifestyles in America. This would include Toni Morrison, Patricia Smith (well.. poetry), among many others...
     
  8. Milady

    Milady Active Member

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    The only thing I've read is Achebe's Things Fall Apart, and like the others, I recommend it as a starting place.
     

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