Episode Details

Akwaeke Emezi demonstrates how Nigeria’s contemporary writers turn our conceptual realities around. They offer a YA novel that doesn’t condescend, but more, one which shows that we should not “walk away” from Omelas, but perhaps “Stay and Hunt.”

This is also the final of three episodes which offers a broader look at the history and newer trends in Nigerian literature along with recommendations for reading. Part 1 discussed Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Part 2 explored Wole Soyinka’s play, The Trials of Brother Jero.

Episode 6.25 –

Words from Nigeria 3 - Emezi’s Pet & Hunters for Truth

Full list of African writers with sample works I recommend:

• Abani, Chris (Nigeria): Graceland, The Secret History of Las Vegas
• Achebe, Chinua (Nigeria): Things Fall Apart, The Anthills of Savannah, Arrow of God, Hopes and Impediments
• Adeyemi, Tomi (Nigeria): Children of Blood and Bone
• Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi (Nigeria): Dream Count, The Thing Around Your Neck, Americanah, Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, Dear Ijeawele
• Agualusa, José Eduardo (Angola): A General Theory of Oblivion 
• Armah, Ayi Kwei (Ghana): The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born
• Bâ, Mariama (Senegal): So Long a Letter 
• Braithwaite, Oyinkan (Nigeria): My Sister the Serial Killer
• Cole, Teju (Nigeria): Open City, Tremor, Known and Strange Things, Every Day Is For a Thief
• Dangarembga, Tsitsi (Zimbabwe): Nervous Conditions, The Book of Not
• Djebar, Assia  (Algeria): Fantasia: An Algerian Cavalcade
• El Saadawi. Nawal  (Egypt): Woman at Point Zero 
• Emezi, Akwaeke (Nigeria): Pet, The Death of Vivek Oji, Freshwater, Dear Senthuran, You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty
• Farah, Nuruddin (Somalia): Sweet and Sour Milk, Secrets
• Forna, Aminatta

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