The Novel in Africa: Books on Selected Authors

Selected Authors and Their Works

  • A select list of works often considered critical and exemplary in the development of the modern novel genre in African literature:
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    Chris Abani, GraceLand . (Nigeria, 2004)

    Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart . (Nigeria, 1996)
    -- See also: E-text (1962)
    -- See other editions: 2009 Norton ed. ; 2001 ; 1994 ; 1992 ; 1983 ; 1959

    Ama Ata Aidoo. Out Sister Killjoy, or, Reflections from a black-eyed squint. (New York, 1979)
    --See also: London, 1977 ; 2000

    Ayi Kwei Armah. The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born. (Ghana, 1988)
    --See also: 1968 ed.

    J. M. Coetzee. Disgrace. (South Africa, 1999, 2000)
    --See also: 2000 ed.

    Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions . (Zimbabwe, 1988, 2001)
    -- See other editions: 1989 ; 2004

    Cyprian Ekwensi, People of the City. (Nigeria, 1968)
    -- See also: 1963 ed.
    -- See also: E-text (1963)

    Nuruddin Farah. Gifts. (London, 1992)
    --See also: 1993 ; 2000

    Nadine Gordimer. July's People. (South Africa, 1981)
    -- See also: E-book
    --Plus: 1982 ed.

    A. C. Jordan. The wrath of the ancestors. (South Africa, 1980) English translation from the Xhosa: Ingqumbo yeminyanya.
    --See also: 2004 ed.

    Zakes Mda. Ways of dying. (South Africa, 1995, 2002)
    --See also: 1995 ed.

    Phaswane Mpe. Welcome to our Hillbrow : a novel of postapartheid South Africa. (South Africa, 2001, 2011)
    --See also: 2001 ed.

    Es'kia Mphahlele. Down Second Avenue. (South Africa, 1959, 1984)
    --See also: 1971 ed.

    Thomas Mofolo, Chaka. (Lesotho, 1931 translation,1981)

    Alan Paton. Cry, the beloved country. (South Africa, 1948, 2003)
    --See also: 1948 ; 1967

    Sol. T. Plaatje. Mhudi. (South Africa, 1930, 1975)
    --See also other editions: 1970 ; 1978
    --Plus: E-book (1930 ed.)

    Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Matigari. (Kenya, 1990)
    -- See other editions: 1987, 1989 ; 1998

    Amos Tutuola, The Palm-Wine Drinkard and His Dead Palm-Wine Tapster in the Dead's Town. (Nigeria, 1953)
    -- See other editions: 1952 (copy 1) ; 1952 (copy 2) ; 1961 (Butler Reserves) ; 1961 ; 1970 (Barnard) ; 1984

    Yvonne Vera, Without a Name. (Zimbabwe, 1994)
    -- See other editions: 1995 ; 2002 (with Under the Tongue )
    -- See also: E-text (1994)

    Books on Selected Authors

    Comparative works

    Abani

    Achebe

    Aidoo

    Armah

    Coetzee

    Dangarembga

    Farah

    Gordimer

    Mda

    Ngugi wa Thiong'o

    Paton

    Plaatje

    Tutuola

    Vera