African Authors List compiled by Laura Sherrill (IHS)
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Mine Boy Abrahams, Peter South Africa 1964 This novel was one of the first books to draw attention to the condition of black South Africans under a white regime. Images of discrimination in the South African gold mines. Tell Freedom: Memories of Africa Abrahams, Peter South Africa 1963 The autobiography of a black South African boy. Wounding Words: A Woman's Journal in Tunisia Accad, Evelyne Tunisia 1997 An autobiographical exploration of women's issues in the political upheaval of an Arab country. Anthills of the Savannah Achebe, Chinua Nigeria 1990 Arrow of God Achebe, Chinua Nigeria 1964 The story of a father and a son presents not only the struggle between two generations, but also the collision of the opposing forces of tradition and colonialism. No Longer at Ease Achebe, Chinua Nigeria 1960 The sequel to Things Fall Apart Things Fall Apart Achebe, Chinua Nigeria 1959 A classic story of a strong man whose life is dominated by fear and anger. Seasons of Sand Aebi, Ernest Mali 1993 The author rejuvenates a dying Sahara village by planting communal gardens, building a school, a hotel, and introducing money, etc. Changes: A Love Story Aidoo, Ama Ata Ghana 1993 A "love story" about the difficulties of a modern woman's life in Accra, Ghana Our Sister Killjoy Aidoo, Ama Ata Ghana 1966 A story of a young African woman's impressions when she visits Europe and England for the first time. The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born Armah, Awi Kwei Ghana 1968 A railway freight clerk attempts to hold out against the pressures that try to corrupt him in his family and in his country. So Long a Letter Ba, Miriama Senegal 1964 A story told as a letter from one friend to another that records the lives of women in a middle-class Muslim society. Maasai Days Bentsen, Cheryl Kenya 1989 A field study of an endangered culture: the Maasai of Kenya I Write What I Like Biko, Stephen South Africa 1979 The writings and philosophy of one of South Africa's greatest black leaders. A Dry, White Season Brink, Andre South Africa 1984 The story of a white South African school teacher whose growing awareness of the injustice and suffering caused by apartheid brings danger upon himself. The Rainbird Brokken, Jan Gabon 1997 Colonialism and different encounters and descriptions of traveller's experience today Mister Johnson Cary, Joyce Nigeria 1939 The story of an ebullient, dream-filled native clerk who is caught up in the clash of the cultures in a colonial nation Age of Iron Coetzee, J.M. South Africa 1991 A story told in the form of a letter from a South African woman to her daughter in the U.S. reflecting on the break-up of apartheid and the implications for the country. Nervous Condition Dangarembga, Tsitsi Zimbabwe 1988 A novel about a young girl's coming of age in the British colony of Rhodesia in the 1960's, and her drive to overcome mistreatment, oppression, and an eating disorder to discover her own strength. Out of Africa Dinesen, Isak Kenya 1937 The true story of Karen Blixen, who married a Danish baron for convenience, moved from Denmark to Kenya, and fell in love with Africa and a British pilot. I Saw the Sky Catch Fire Echewa, T. Obinkaram Nigeria 1992 Head Above Water Emecheta, Buchi Nigeria 1986 The autobiography of a Nigerian woman who leaves her home and endures the abuse of her husband in a foreign country. Kehinde Emecheta, Buchi Nigeria 1994 The story of a Nigerian woman who marries and moves to London with her husband. He decides that they should return to Nigeria and the traditional life. The Bride Price Emecheta, Buchi Nigeria 1976 A poignant love story between Aku-nna, a young Ibo girl and Chike, the son of a former slave. Their love challenges the tribal traditions. The Joys of Motherhood Emecheta, Buchi Nigeria 1979 The story of a young woman's struggles in 1950's Lagos. A Girl Named Disaster (YA) Farmer, Nancy Zimbabwe 1996 When Nhamo, a slave in her African village, learns she must marry a cruel man with three other wives, she decides to run away and comes to know Africa's mystical spirits. Newbery Honor Book I Dreamed of Africa Gallmann, Kuki Kenya 1991 The true and uplifting story of a courageous woman, her struggles and losses while living in Africa. July's People Gordimer, Nadine South Africa 1981 The story of a black servant of a decent white family when the revolution against apartheid becomes violent, sides are taken. My Son's Story Gordimer, Nadine South Africa 1990 Waiting for the Rain (YA) Gordon, Sheila South Africa 1987 The story of the friendship between two boys, Tengo and Frikkie, one black and one white, in South Africa. As tensions over apartheid grow, the boys find their friendship in crisis. ALA Best Book. We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families Gourevitch, Philip Rwanda 1998 A true account of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and its aftermath. A Question of Power Head, Bessie South Africa 1974 The story of a woman who leaves South Africa with her son to live in a village in Botswana. Maru Head, Bessie Botswana 1971 A young woman from the oppressed tribe of "Bushmen" enters a Botswana village to teach. Her courage and strength help her to overcome the obstacles. When Rain Clouds Gather Head, Bessie Botswana 1986 A novel about a young man who flees the violence and oppression of South Africa in the 1960's into Botswana, a country undergoing great change. Mango Elephants in the Sun Herrera, Susana Cameroon 1999 The experiences of a Peace Corps teacher. King Leopold's Ghost Hochschild, Adam Congo 1998 The true story behind King Leopold II of Belgium and his colonization of the Congo. A story of cruelty and greed. Our Grandmother's Drums Hudson, Mark Gambia 1989 A study of women's lives in a small village. The Ochre People Jabavu, Noni South Africa 1963 An exploration of the author's Bantu background and her insights into the process of cultural change Skin Deep Jones, Toeckey South Africa 1986 Poppie Nongena Joubert, Elsa South Africa 1987 A book by an Afrikaner author based on the actual life story of a Xhosa woman living in the Cape region, and her survival and faith during South Africa's cruelty. Ambiguous Adventure Kane, Cheikh Hamidou Senegal 1963 A novel of a young Senegalese revolutionary's quest for identity. Season of Blood: A Rwandan Journey Keane, Fergal Rwanda 1997 An Irish journalist's account of the killings in Rwanda. Facing Mount Kenya Kenyatta, Jomo Kenya 1936 One of the first explanations of the African mind, written by an African, the first president of independent Kenya Africa Solo Kertscher, Kevin several! 1998 Young American man, filled with images of Africa from films and reading, sets out for Africa, where he travels by bus, riverboat, barge, and foot. The Poisonwood Bible Kingsolver, Barbara Congo 1998 Set in 1959, a missionary, his wife, and four daughters go to the Belgian Congo to spread the word of God. They arrive in the midst of political turmoil that forever changes their lives and relationships with one another. In the Fog of the Seasons' End La Guma, Alex South Africa 1972 The story of people who risked their lives in the underground movement against apartheid. Time of the Butcherbird La Guma, Alex South Africa 1979 The story of a village moved by mining interests, pushing them toward disaster The Dark Child Laye, Camara French Guinea 1954 The autobiography of an African boy and his life among the ritualistic Malinke people, and his success in school which results in his departure from his African home to study in France. Translated from French. The Grass is Singing Lessing, Doris Zimbabwe 1950 A novel about the troubled relationship between the wife of a white farmer in the veld and her black servant. Palace of Desire Mahfouz, Naguib Egypt 1991 The sequel to Palace Walk Palace Walk Mahfouz, Naguib Egypt 1990 The engrossing saga of a Muslim family in Cairo during Egypt's occupation by British forces in the early 1900's Sugar Street Mahfouz, Naguib Egypt 1992 The third book in the Cairo trilogy, after Palace Walk and Palace of Desire. No Easy Walk to Freedom Mandela, Nelson South Africa 1973 Articles, speeches, and trial addresses of Nelson Mandela. Zenzele Maraire, J. Nozipo Zimbabwe 1996 A story of a mother and her daughter, who leaves Africa to study at Harvard University. Told in the form of letters from the mother to the daughter, giving the daughter a sense of her African roots. West with the Night Markham, Beryl Kenya 1942 The autobiographical story of the first woman bush pilot in Africa during the 1930's. African Women Mathabane, Mark South Africa 1994 Three generations of African women and their stories Kaffir Boy Mathabane, Mark South Africa 1986 The autobiography of a poor South African boy in the townships, and how he makes his way out of the life of poverty and oppression. Sophiatown: Coming of Age in South Africa Mattera, Don South Africa 1989 A true story of growing up in South Africa. Fiela's Child Matthee, Dalene South Africa 1986 A Royal Africa Modupe, Prince 1969 Down Second Avenue Mphahlele, Es'kia South Africa 1959 An autobiography describing life in the townships of South Africa. Children of Soweto Mzamane, Mbulelo South Africa 1982 A look at the school situation during apartheid, leading up to the student riots. Chain of Fire Naidoo, Beverly South Africa 1990 Sequel to Journey to Jo'burg Journey to Jo'burg Naidoo, Beverly South Africa 1986 About children of various ages living in and reacting to the world of apartheid A Grain of Wheat Ngugi, wa Thiong'o Kenya 1967 A novel that explores the aftermath of the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya Devil on the Cross Ngugi, wa Thiong'o Kenya 1982 A symbolic novel of contemporary Kenya in the face of the "Satan of capitalism." Weep Not, Child Ngugi, wa Thiong'o Kenya 1964 The moving story of two brothers who must choose sides during the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya. Efuru Nwapa, Flora Kenya 1966 Efuru, beautiful and respected, is loved and deserted by two husbands. The Promised Land Ogot, Grace Kenya 1986 The Famished Road Okri, Ben Nigeria 1991 Phantasmagorical novel set in the ghetto of an African city. 1991 Booker Prize winner. The Old Man and the Medal Oyono, Ferdinand Cameroon 1982 A fierce satire on the colonial situation The Village of Waiting Packer, George Togo 1984 Peace Corps experience as a teacher. Cry, the Beloved Country Paton, Alan South Africa 1948 The compassionate story of a Zulu pastor and his son Absalom; a story of conflict and forgiveness. Waiting to Live: Spontaneous Song Ramgobin, Mewa South Africa 1986 Memoirs of a Woman Doctor Sadawi, Nawal Egypt 1989 Autobiography of an Egyptian woman doctor. The Well of Life Sadawi, Nawal Egypt 1993 Two Women in One Sadawi, Nawal Egypt 1975 18-year-old Bahiah, a medical student in Cairo years for freedom in a culture of women who seem to be unaware of the possibility. Woman at Point Zero Sadawi, Nawal Egypt 1975 The story of a woman who worked as a prostitute, reflecting on her life while in prison awaiting her execution for the murd.er of one of the many men she felt had abused her. Songs to an African Sunset Sekai, Nzenza-Shand Zimbabwe 1997 How modern life affects customs and traditions of a small town The Narrow Path Selormy, Francis Ghana 1967 The upbringing of a Ghanian boy in a strict mission household and his conflict with his father. Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman Shostak, Marjorie Botswana 1982 The life story, told to an anthropologist, of a woman of the !Kung tribe of hunters-and-gatherers. Ake: The Years of Childhood Soyinka, Wole Nigeria 1982 Autobiography of the African dramatist, poet, novelist, and critic in the Nigerian village of his childhood. Isara Soyinka, Wole Kenya 1989 In the Shadow of the Sacred Grove Spindel, Carol Ivory Coast 1989 A field study of agriculture and art and traditions Amandla: a novel Tlali, Miriam South Africa 1980 The Forest People Turnbull, Colin Congo 1987 Anthropologist and writer who lived with the pygmies of the Congo and reveals their culture. Rainbow People of God Tutu, Bishop Desmond South Africa 1994 The speeches, letters, and writings of Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu. What Will My Mother Say Ugwu-Oju, Dympna Nigeria 1995 The true story of a young woman who grows up in traditional Nigerian society and goes to the US to study. She makes the best of both cultures. Daughter of Mumbi Waciuma, Charity Kenya 1969 A story that details the difficult conditions of many women's lives, including the question of female genital mutilation Biko Woods, Donald South Africa 1979 The biography of Stephen Biko, one of South Africa's leaders against apartheid, who was killed by the Security Police.