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Saturday 26 August 2017

Mind Blowing Novels By African American Authors

By Dennis Wagner


It is impossible to ignore the contribution African Americans have made to the literary scene. They are the authors behind some of the most amazing titles. Their works cover a range of themes including racism, economic empowerment, relationships, immigration, etc. As Maya Angelou once said that there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story, here are amazing novels by African American authors that everyone should read.

A Brief History of Seven Killings is penned by James Marlon. He has made his mark as a great story teller who is very attentive to details and can create some of the most vivid characters. It is a story of an unstable Jamaica as told through some of their famous sons. The central theme is the inability of a character to divorce self from a society and the inevitability of fate. This fate is usually delivered by the society one is living in.

The Color Purple is written by the recipient of Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award named Alice Walker. She tells the story from the perspective of women especially their contribution to American culture through Broadway shows. It is a narrative laced with courage that was later turned into a move which was a nominee for Academy Award.

Getting to Happy is a carefully woven story by Terry Macmillan, the famed author of Waiting to Exhale. This is a more engaging and exuberant sequel that will captivate the mind of any reader. The story is a revision of the lives of Robin, Bernadine, Gloria and Savannah. In this setting, these characters are sassy, smart-mouthed and more vivid. They will encounter situations that force them to look deeper into own lives. They are only left with one goal, to chase happiness.

Octavia Butler is a household name whose profile grows with Bloodchild and Other Stories. This title comes after the award winning Kindred. As a recipient of Nebula and Hugo awards, her mastery of science fiction and story telling is undeniable. Her stories link the earth with distant stars in a skillful manner.

The Fifth Season is an exciting narrative about a world that has gotten used to catastrophe. The opening scene features a sun whose view is blocked by ash from a rift on earth. You will also encounter the struggle of a man who has lost a daughter in the process and whose son has been killed. In the bigger plan, it is the powers that control the earth that are now being used as weapons. This story is a recipient of Hugo Award.

Binti is penned by Nnedi Okorafor. It is a story of sacrifice that a person has to make in order to gain knowledge. Being the first recipient of a scholarship to study at Oomza University, she has to sacrifice and be with people who have little regard of her culture. She has to travel through a torturous journey to get the knowledge and bear with the scars of war along the way.

The world has witnessed numerous tales by African American spinners. Other notable writers include James Hannaham, Jesmyn Ward and Colson Whitehead, among many more. The stories keep changing as new writers explore emerging themes. These stories continue to capture the attention of the world and even win numerous awards.




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