Okay, Bluesky #AfricanStudies hive mind: What’s your favorite African novel by a woman author? Going over my African politics syllabus for next semester, I don’t have enough works by women. I’m using Achebe for one novel. What should the second be? - ThreadSky

timlongman.bsky.social • 122 days ago

Okay, Bluesky #AfricanStudies hive mind: What’s your favorite African novel by a woman author? Going over my African politics syllabus for next semester, I don’t have enough works by women. I’m using Achebe for one novel. What should the second be?

Comments

cairdiul.bsky.social•122 days ago

The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso

timlongman.bsky.social•122 days ago

This sounds great. I was going to use Niq Mhlongo’s After Tears, so another South African novel would be perfect. Didn’t know this one.

cairdiul.bsky.social•122 days ago

I enjoyed it very much and as the two protagonists are much older than commonly seen in books it will probably be food for thought for the students! Let me know what you end up choosing!

ethuin.bsky.social•122 days ago

I think at @radicalbooks.bsky.social there is plenty of choice.

smburchard.bsky.social•122 days ago

We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo. Highly recommend it.

timlongman.bsky.social•122 days ago

Excellent book. I worry it might be too focused on the US though, even though it starts in Zim?

smburchard.bsky.social•122 days ago

I'm partial to it because it deals with election violence and democracy, as well as feelings of not belonging. But maybe Glory by Bulawayo is better if you want the book centered in a (fictitious) Africa? I think So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi could also be good reads.