@Op, you have spoken well. I have read all but the third and last book. Please op, where can I get the soft copy of "The African Child"? I have searched the whole internet for it without any success. I was still very little when I read it and so much enjoyed the book and would love to read it all over again. Please I need your help on this. Thanks.

AnthonyAk:

Story telling is such a beautiful art. More than any other people, Africans have mastered this art the best. Just take a look at the hieroglyphics from Egypt and how they tell tales of the times of the Pharaohs, tales that would have been otherwise lost.

Contemporary African authors have taken the African stories to paper and ink, a medium that will ensure the African story is never forgotten. There are many great books by African authors, some of whom I have not been privileged to read. Yet. Here however are my 10 must read books by African Authors for all lovers of literature and story telling.

The African Child – Camara Laye
I read this as a 11 year old and loved every word. In it, Laye describes life, growing up as an African child in Guinea, West Africa. Deeply nostalgic, the book is an autobiography portraying a vision of Islamic and ancient African community in the pre colonial era, a time when tradition engendered mutual understanding and respect for all.

The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born – Ayi Kwei Armah
This is another childhood favorite although I didn’t understand much of it then until I read it a second time as an adult. It is a satirical attack on the Ghanaian society during Kwame Nkrumah’s regime and the period immediately after independence in the 1960. The book is regarded by many as a close second to Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart as one of the finest books to come out of Africa.

The Narrow Path – Francis Selormey
One word to describe this one? Nostalgic. Effortless. Okay that is two words but what a perfect book. Selormey takes us a journey of childhood in rural Ghana. Growing up as the first child has its pains and joys for our little hero and you can’t help but root for Kofi, not even when he is beinga little rascal. Like an African Child, this book is descriptive and filled with imagery that will stay with you for a long time.

Weep Not Child – Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
Ngugi does a great job with this story, weaving fiction and non-fiction seamlessly into a wonderful tale. It is a moving story about the effects of the Mau Mau war on the lives of ordinary men and women in Kenya.

Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe
Take a deep bow people. This is one of the finest books ever written- by anyone, from wherever. It is probably the best known African novel and has become one of the world’s most influential literary masterpieces. Since publication, nearly 12 million copies have been sold(did i hear someone say ‘bestseller’), with translations into more than 50 languages. The book has been made into TV series- I clearly remember Pete Edochie’s apt interpretation of the book’s hero Okonkwo.

The Passport of Mallam Ilia – Cyprian Ekwensi
Ekwensi is one of an unsung hero of African story telling. From Jagua Nana to Toads for Supper, this wordsmith captures our minds with beautiful tales from all over Nigeria. The Passport of Mallam Ilia is an adventure set in Northern Nigeria and has everything a thriller should possess-adventure, love, betrayal and suspense. It is a beautiful story that will stay with you, long after the last page

Cry The Beloved Country – Alan Paton
Your heart cannot help but fill with love and hope after reading this masterpiece. I saw the movie first but no matter, it didn’t spoil the book for me. This is probably the most famous and important novel in South Africa’s history and it became an immediate worldwide bestseller in 1948. It is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son, Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice.

There are so many good contemporary authors today as well; the Adichies, Wainainas etc. Which are your favorite African authors and books? Tell us in the comments.
Source

AnthonyAk:

Story telling is such a beautiful art. More than any other people, Africans have mastered this art the best. Just take a look at the hieroglyphics from Egypt and how they tell tales of the times of the Pharaohs, tales that would have been otherwise lost.

Contemporary African authors have taken the African stories to paper and ink, a medium that will ensure the African story is never forgotten. There are many great books by African authors, some of whom I have not been privileged to read. Yet. Here however are my 10 must read books by African Authors for all lovers of literature and story telling.

The African Child – Camara Laye
I read this as a 11 year old and loved every word. In it, Laye describes life, growing up as an African child in Guinea, West Africa. Deeply nostalgic, the book is an autobiography portraying a vision of Islamic and ancient African community in the pre colonial era, a time when tradition engendered mutual understanding and respect for all.

The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born – Ayi Kwei Armah
This is another childhood favorite although I didn’t understand much of it then until I read it a second time as an adult. It is a satirical attack on the Ghanaian society during Kwame Nkrumah’s regime and the period immediately after independence in the 1960. The book is regarded by many as a close second to Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart as one of the finest books to come out of Africa.

The Narrow Path – Francis Selormey
One word to describe this one? Nostalgic. Effortless. Okay that is two words but what a perfect book. Selormey takes us a journey of childhood in rural Ghana. Growing up as the first child has its pains and joys for our little hero and you can’t help but root for Kofi, not even when he is beinga little rascal. Like an African Child, this book is descriptive and filled with imagery that will stay with you for a long time.

Weep Not Child – Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
Ngugi does a great job with this story, weaving fiction and non-fiction seamlessly into a wonderful tale. It is a moving story about the effects of the Mau Mau war on the lives of ordinary men and women in Kenya.

Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe
Take a deep bow people. This is one of the finest books ever written- by anyone, from wherever. It is probably the best known African novel and has become one of the world’s most influential literary masterpieces. Since publication, nearly 12 million copies have been sold(did i hear someone say ‘bestseller’), with translations into more than 50 languages. The book has been made into TV series- I clearly remember Pete Edochie’s apt interpretation of the book’s hero Okonkwo.

The Passport of Mallam Ilia – Cyprian Ekwensi
Ekwensi is one of an unsung hero of African story telling. From Jagua Nana to Toads for Supper, this wordsmith captures our minds with beautiful tales from all over Nigeria. The Passport of Mallam Ilia is an adventure set in Northern Nigeria and has everything a thriller should possess-adventure, love, betrayal and suspense. It is a beautiful story that will stay with you, long after the last page

Cry The Beloved Country – Alan Paton
Your heart cannot help but fill with love and hope after reading this masterpiece. I saw the movie first but no matter, it didn’t spoil the book for me. This is probably the most famous and important novel in South Africa’s history and it became an immediate worldwide bestseller in 1948. It is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son, Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice.

There are so many good contemporary authors today as well; the Adichies, Wainainas etc. Which are your favorite African authors and books? Tell us in the comments.
Source

those where the good old days.... before technology took o er the world . miss those times. nice one op

D BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT HEAVEN BEAR by Dinaw Mengestu and Richard Wright's BLACK BOY...Its African-American tho.

WEEP NOT CHILD!,that paly gat me sober every day

sholay2011:

I read that book in SSS 1. I still remember the characters: Ona & Nnu Ego vividly (and not just their names) till date...even though I am not Ibo. Great book.

A pity the OP failed to mention some groundbreaking Yoruba novels like 'Ogboju Ode nine Igbo Irumole', and my favorites- 'Agbako Nile Tete' and 'Koseegbe'.

Groundbreaking Igbo novels are not there either.
You should talk about English novels written by yoruba

[right][/right]the books are literature books have read 2 out of the lists and they were interesting

[right][/right]the books are literature books have read 2 out of the lists and they were interesting

Please where can I get this books. Online and offline

Toads for supper was written by Chukwuemeka Ike not Cyprian Ekwensi. Nice novel though.

ALSO THE COCAINE CONNECTION BY IBE KACHIKWU THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ

PLEASE ANYBODY KNOWS HOW I CAN FIND IT AGAIN..PLEASE!!!

MurphyG1:
Mine is "The Palmwine Tapster" by Amos Tutuola.

Very interesting . Has anyone here read it?

I have and I totally love that book.

I have read all the books the op listed,while some are part of my favourites,I totally hate some e.g the beautiful ones are not yet born.

Some of my favs that are not in the op's list are

Aura of divinity by Chinye Okobah( I can never ever forget this book)
Survive the peace by Cyprian Ekwensi
Bottled Leopard by Chukwuemeka Ike
The adventures of Souza by Kola Onadipe (Totally hilarious)
Solizo achieves greatness (Can't remember the author)
The victims(also can't remember the author)

And not forgetting the pacesetters series and a host of other beautiful African books.

so no one remembers EZE GOES TO SCHOOL??

O.p where is purple hibiscus

very awesom books.
problem nw is how to get dem nowadays....dey r almost goin extinct
.
pls pls n pls...anyne wit a link to where we cn get d e-copy of those books or anyoda book by AFRICAN WRITERS SERIES shud post it here.

Honestly, while reading these posts gives a sense of euphoria when i consider that i read five out of those op posted, and a whole lot of others by different commentators, i feel sad at the same time that reading culture has all but died in Nigeria. Can we get todays children away from the tv with all its forms of entertainment, can we get them away from the game consoles, internet, social media etc

WEEP NOT CHILD? i must shed my tears for THE AFRICAN CHILD, who cares less whether EZE GOES TO SCHOOL or not. destined to be THE BOY SLAVE when the ADVENTURES OF SOUZA no longer appeals to him. IFEANYI AND OBI are no more his playmates so he is NO LONGER AT EASE. Thinks more of THE CONCUBINE so early in life while others are seeking THE PASSPORT OF MALLAM ILIYA. He is like a BOTTLED LEOPARD when there are ANTHILLS IN THE SAVANNAH to explore. CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY Nigeria for THE RETURN OF SHETTIMAH is no more feasible. No more hope of being A MAN OF THE PEOPLE, as the centre can no more hold for THINGS FALL APART is now our case...

Cyprian Ekwensi's best book, IMO, is The Drummer Boy. I can't get enough of this book. I keep re-reading it everytime I see it.

The Passport of Mallam Illia is also captivating.

wow...i miss the days where i voraciously devoured countless books.My favourites are efuru by flora nwapa, the joys of motherhood by buchi emecheta, things fall apart by chinua Achebe and When a child is motherless(cant remember the author, i read it countless times till i could virtually recite conversations off it by heart)...I want to re-read efuru again, great book.

Aspireahead:
I have read most of the books there. The Beautiful ones are not yet born will dissapoint anyone who chooses to read it because of the title. and why is most, if not all of Cyprien Ekwensi's work based on Northern Nigeria and Hausa?
also read
The slave boy can't remember the name of the author.

An African night Entertainment by Cyprian Ekwesi.

the old man and the Medal by Ferdinand Oyono
The man Died by Sole Soyinka
The Devil and the cross Ngugi Wanthiongo
The trial of Sedan Kimathi Ngugi and Micere

Cyprian grew up in the North of Nigeria. And all his books are fantastic. I like that you mentioned An African Nights Entertainment. That's the first book by a Nigerian author that I read. And I loved it.

@queenfav, those female authors are rad!

There was this book Expo 77 by Chukwuemeka Ike, I don't know why, but I liked it. Kinda. It saved many boring moments, so I have a soft spot for it.

Tellemall:


Cyprian grew up in the North of Nigeria. And all his books are fantastic. I like that you mentioned An African Nights Entertainment. That's the first book by a Nigerian author that I read. And I loved it.

@queenfav, those female authors are rad!

There was this book Expo 77 by Chukwuemeka Ike, I don't know why, but I liked it. Kinda. It saved many boring moments, so I have a soft spot for it.

like seriously,we need more books like that in this generation.

These are all old books.
Y'all should read Bloodline <part one.....the family> and Bloodline2 <Blood and Diamonds> by Ironkurtain....

InyinyaAgbaOku:
Igbos are such good writers and novelists
Achebe
Cyprian Ekwensi
Elechi Amadi
Chimamanda
Buchi Emecheta
Chukwuemeka Ike

uzodinma iweala

my best book ever reed THE PRIDE OF A WOMAN

I read some of the books Op listed when I was younger and didn't really get the full picture especially the beautiful ones are not yet born, I hope to read that book again.
I have seen so many titles posted here and I have added them to my bucket list.
I recommend

Expo 77 - Chukwuemeka Ike
Tell Freedom - Peter Abraham
My father's daughter - Mabel Segun
The bottled Leopard - Chukwuemeka Ike
Coal camp boy - Cyprian Ekwensi
Sizwe Bansi is dead -
Twins of the rainforest - Neville Ukoli
Sunset at Dawn - Chukwuemeka Ike

Ndipe:
Here is Marie, Camara Laye's girlfriend in the African Child.

http://www.campboiro.org/victimes/camara_marie_lorofi.html

mon ami,tu est Guinnéen n'est-ce pas.Merçi pour cette banque d'information

The concubine....Elechi Amadi

No longer at ease...chinua Achebe......and so many more.I've read most of the listed above.

queenfav:
wow...i miss the days where i voraciously devoured countless books.My favourites are efuru by flora nwapa, the joys of motherhood by buchi emecheta, things fall apart by chinua Achebe and When a child is motherless(cant remember the author, i read it countless times till i could virtually recite conversations off it by heart)...I want to re-read efuru again, great book.

I've read joys of motherhood.I also wish 2re-read efuru again.....i read it when i was in primary 4,so i couldn't get the message then.

greatwaters:
That novel i read in JSS 1. Borrowed from a senior. she couldnt understand my interest in such a novel.
I felt really sorry for Idemudia. struggled against poverty to cater for his family. Adisa his wife had good intentions but wasnt understanding. i remember her fighting idemudia cos there wasnt money for food.
Didnt like the ending, wished Adisa had been faithful like her husband, even tho she only slept with Obofun for money to help the family.

Yh,I didn't like the ending too,but I think the ending was captivating...so I have a love hate thing for the ending

ebim:


Yh,I didn't like the ending too,but I think the ending was captivating...so I have a love hate thing for the ending

yea, the whole novel is captivating

jazinogold:

you forgot to add 'How to speak good English by Patience Jonathan'
'Abacha was not corrupt by PMB'

Recieve sense and become valuable!!!

queenfav:
like seriously,we need more books like that in this generation.

Have you read ''The Smugglers'' by Kalu Okpi? Thats the first Nigerian crime novel i've ever read. looking for it to read again. last time i did i was 12 or 13

The old man and the medal. That is one book I can't allow to leave my shelve. Aspireahead, I see you.