nicholausian:


She is a professor in the US, has lived there most of her life. What do you expect? When will we see homegrown Nigerian writers with no affiliations to First World countries?

moneyallowed:

Yea i checked up on her bio afterwards. She's not as new as i thought, won her fair share of awards too
I agree, it's a problem when most of a nation's best writers are those in diaspora. It would be easier to understand if Nigeria had an oppresive military regime and all the intellectuals were in exile but that's not the case. I think the background is important, it's easier to suceed abroad definitely. It is no coincidence that Chimamanda Adichie, Helon Habila, Sefi Atta and Teju Cole all have postgraduate links to foreign universities. There they get exposure, constructive literary criticism and inevitably a loyal following of fans who have read and liked their work. We lack all three here in Nigeria. The publishing houses have the odds stacked against them here while our universities are more concerned with nepotism and mediocrity. Our reading culture isn't great either. Maybe with the rise of self publishing we'll get to see more voices from home. If anything can bridge the gap, it's the internet

SIRcumalot:

For some very strange reason, I haven't yet figured out why i find it very difficult to read a book written by a Nigerian or an African writer I think the only ones i have read are recommended reading for my Junior Waec and my personal favorite Bassey and company.
I tried reading famished road by ben okri but it got so weird I had to stop.
Maybe eventually I would overcome this hump and try to read some,so please recommend your favorite novel written by people from this continent.

An0nimus:
467 pages? several times? receive grace

moneyallowed:

I totally get you bro, it's not strange at all. If you compare the number of western novels i read to the african books, the ratio is about 1000:1, and i liked very few out of that little ratio. I plan to read more widely from the pool of African authors soon though. Just saying this so you won't take my personal favourites as a definitive guide.
Since we got that out of the way, here goes..

Chaka by Thomas Mofolo. If you're looking for a classic rise and fall adventure story minus the happy ending, this is it.

An African Night's Entertainment by Cyprian Ekwensi. I have to say Cyprian is my favourite Nigerian author of all time and this is my favourite book of his. So i'm probably biased here

Time Changes Yesterday by Nyengi Koin. I had to choose between this and Second Chance, in the end i went for it. Romance, coming of age story, it's good, very good

A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi Wa Thiongo. Of all the anti-colonial books written by Africans, i think this is the best. It has some disorienting flashbacks though so be prepared

Memoirs of A Porcupine by Alain Mabanckou. It's funny as hell yet so deep, i think he meant it as a satire. And yes, it's about a porcupine, don't worry it's not just the porcupine. The main problem with the book is his writing style. There are no commas, or full stops. Takes some getting used to but when you do it's worth it. If you don't dig it, try Broken Glass by the same guy

Dust by Yvonne Owuor. Best book i've read recently by an african author. If i have to include someone contemporary, she's my pick. The books strength is the beautiful descriptions, they're so rich that when you're done it feels like you actually visited Kenya.

Now for plays, i love plays so i'll have to include some. Most of the ones i know are by nigerian authors so that's why it's like this. I'll pick Holding Talks by Ola Rotimi, just cos it was a play about nothing really. Morountodon and Other Plays and Twingle Twangle by Femi Osofisan just cos it's Osofisan. Death of A King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka, oh and Trials of Brother Jero too. Finally i'll pick The Ozidi Saga by John Pepper Clark, cos it's the closest african work i've seen to The Odyssey, and no i am not exaggerating.
I would have added The Palm wine Drinkard by Amos Tutuola but since you didn't enjoy Famished Road, maybe not cos they're kinda similar

Illuminatus:
So, I read the Blood Song by Anthony Ryan. I just finished it and I admit that it's an entertaining book. Quite different from R. A. Salvatore's work. I particularly enjoyed the ending, the suspense that was built up and the intrigue that came with the revelation of the witcher's son. However, it was nothing like The Furies of Calderon from Codex Alera, which is what I was expecting. Shrug. Anyway, the first time Vaelin met his half sister, he made a comment about wondering why his father did something and how he now knew. That part didn't make full sense to me. What was he talking about?
I've looked for the second book. I couldn't find it from my trusted sites. Anyway, I guess I have to use torrents which I can't do with my iPhone. Could anybody help me with it somehow? Thanks.
In the meantime, I'll be reading The Martian by Andy Weir and probably The Blood of Olympus after that.

SIRcumalot:


Cyprian ekwensi was very good, I read african night entertainment for school I remember it has a (white cover version) but he also wrote this awesome book
it was about a man who wanted to marry a beautiful wife but had to fight other contestant in the dark I remember somebody cheated the(main bad guy) by wearing a chain mail. Can't remember much more
I'll be reading all your recommendation soon as i get them, am starting with Wole soyinka though have to see what the hype is all about.
Thanks.

Illuminatus:
So, I read the Blood Song by Anthony Ryan. I just finished it and I admit that it's an entertaining book. Quite different from R. A. Salvatore's work. I particularly enjoyed the ending, the suspense that was built up and the intrigue that came with the revelation of the witcher's son. However, it was nothing like The Furies of Calderon from Codex Alera, which is what I was expecting. Shrug. Anyway, the first time Vaelin met his half sister, he made a comment about wondering why his father did something and how he now knew. That part didn't make full sense to me. What was he talking about?
I've looked for the second book. I couldn't find it from my trusted sites. Anyway, I guess I have to use torrents which I can't do with my iPhone. Could anybody help me with it somehow? Thanks.
In the meantime, I'll be reading The Martian by Andy Weir and probably The Blood of Olympus after that.

An0nimus:

467 pages? several times? receive grace

Illuminatus:
So, I read the Blood Song by Anthony Ryan. I just finished it and I admit that it's an entertaining book. Quite different from R. A. Salvatore's work. I particularly enjoyed the ending, the suspense that was built up and the intrigue that came with the revelation of the witcher's son. However, it was nothing like The Furies of Calderon from Codex Alera, which is what I was expecting. Shrug. Anyway, the first time Vaelin met his half sister, he made a comment about wondering why his father did something and how he now knew. That part didn't make full sense to me. What was he talking about?
I've looked for the second book. I couldn't find it from my trusted sites. Anyway, I guess I have to use torrents which I can't do with my iPhone. Could anybody help me with it somehow? Thanks.
In the meantime, I'll be reading The Martian by Andy Weir and probably The Blood of Olympus after that.

moneyallowed:

I totally get you bro, it's not strange at all. If you compare the number of western novels i read to the african books, the ratio is about 1000:1, and i liked very few out of that little ratio. I plan to read more widely from the pool of African authors soon though. Just saying this so you won't take my personal favourites as a definitive guide.
Since we got that out of the way, here goes..

Chaka by Thomas Mofolo. If you're looking for a classic rise and fall adventure story minus the happy ending, this is it.

An African Night's Entertainment by Cyprian Ekwensi. I have to say Cyprian is my favourite Nigerian author of all time and this is my favourite book of his. So i'm probably biased here

Time Changes Yesterday by Nyengi Koin. I had to choose between this and Second Chance, in the end i went for it. Romance, coming of age story, it's good, very good

A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi Wa Thiongo. Of all the anti-colonial books written by Africans, i think this is the best. It has some disorienting flashbacks though so be prepared

Memoirs of A Porcupine by Alain Mabanckou. It's funny as hell yet so deep, i think he meant it as a satire. And yes, it's about a porcupine, don't worry it's not just the porcupine. The main problem with the book is his writing style. There are no commas, or full stops. Takes some getting used to but when you do it's worth it. If you don't dig it, try Broken Glass by the same guy

Dust by Yvonne Owuor. Best book i've read recently by an african author. If i have to include someone contemporary, she's my pick. The books strength is the beautiful descriptions, they're so rich that when you're done it feels like you actually visited Kenya.

Now for plays, i love plays so i'll have to include some. Most of the ones i know are by nigerian authors so that's why it's like this. I'll pick Holding Talks by Ola Rotimi, just cos it was a play about nothing really. Morountodon and Other Plays and Twingle Twangle by Femi Osofisan just cos it's Osofisan. Death of A King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka, oh and Trials of Brother Jero too. Finally i'll pick The Ozidi Saga by John Pepper Clark, cos it's the closest african work i've seen to The Odyssey, and no i am not exaggerating.
I would have added The Palm wine Drinkard by Amos Tutuola but since you didn't enjoy Famished Road, maybe not cos they're kinda similar

moneyallowed:

I totally get you bro, it's not strange at all. If you compare the number of western novels i read to the african books, the ratio is about 1000:1, and i liked very few out of that little ratio. I plan to read more widely from the pool of African authors soon though. Just saying this so you won't take my personal favourites as a definitive guide.
Since we got that out of the way, here goes..

Chaka by Thomas Mofolo. If you're looking for a classic rise and fall adventure story minus the happy ending, this is it.

An African Night's Entertainment by Cyprian Ekwensi. I have to say Cyprian is my favourite Nigerian author of all time and this is my favourite book of his. So i'm probably biased here

Time Changes Yesterday by Nyengi Koin. I had to choose between this and Second Chance, in the end i went for it. Romance, coming of age story, it's good, very good

A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi Wa Thiongo. Of all the anti-colonial books written by Africans, i think this is the best. It has some disorienting flashbacks though so be prepared

Memoirs of A Porcupine by Alain Mabanckou. It's funny as hell yet so deep, i think he meant it as a satire. And yes, it's about a porcupine, don't worry it's not just the porcupine. The main problem with the book is his writing style. There are no commas, or full stops. Takes some getting used to but when you do it's worth it. If you don't dig it, try Broken Glass by the same guy

Dust by Yvonne Owuor. Best book i've read recently by an african author. If i have to include someone contemporary, she's my pick. The books strength is the beautiful descriptions, they're so rich that when you're done it feels like you actually visited Kenya.

Now for plays, i love plays so i'll have to include some. Most of the ones i know are by nigerian authors so that's why it's like this. I'll pick Holding Talks by Ola Rotimi, just cos it was a play about nothing really. Morountodon and Other Plays and Twingle Twangle by Femi Osofisan just cos it's Osofisan. Death of A King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka, oh and Trials of Brother Jero too. Finally i'll pick The Ozidi Saga by John Pepper Clark, cos it's the closest african work i've seen to The Odyssey, and no i am not exaggerating.
I would have added The Palm wine Drinkard by Amos Tutuola but since you didn't enjoy Famished Road, maybe not cos they're kinda similar

SIRcumalot:

I see you're drizzt fan
I think it is the fact that his father remarried am not so sure, you should give more detail but I don't fact is relevant to the story.
Heard good things about the Martian have got the audiobook version haven't gotten around to listen sha,

Funjosh:
Presently in Auchi Edo State but will be in Lagos this week

Mczigx:
pls where do u buy ur books in auchi.....i skul dere

nicholausian:



You forgot to mention Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, A Bend in the River by V. S. Naipaul, Disgrace by J M Coetzee and Poor Christ of Bomba by Mongo Beti. There's also Confessions of a Lioness.

timpaker:


Done!

kay9:
Brandon Sanderson - Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, Book 2). Halfway through.

Hey, just had to share this.. Do u like fantasy? Enjoyed the Song of Ice and Fire series? Have a soft spot for Tolkien? Or did u grow your literary milk teeth on Sword of Shannara and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books? Well, guess what? The good ol' days are back again!
The name is The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (Stormlight Archive bk 1). Seriously, this is probably the best novel of its genre i've ever read. So...now u know. Oya, find it and read and tell others the good news!

pyrokardia:
Just finished reading The Liar's Key, The Red Queen's War #2.... Really good book, but had to plough through some parts of it... Prefer the first book

SIRcumalot:

For some very strange reason, I haven't yet figured out why i find it very difficult to read a book written by a Nigerian or an African writer I think the only ones i have read are recommended reading for my Junior Waec and my personal favorite Bassey and company.
I tried reading famished road by ben okri but it got so weird I had to stop.
Maybe eventually I would overcome this hump and try to read some,so please recommend your favorite novel written by people from this continent.

Reading if tomorrow comes by sidney sheldon,page 224.