African literature is increasingly getting the acclaim it deserves, offering a rich and sprawling landscape of stories and perspectives. Experts we've interviewed have selected the best African fiction-highlighting classic books and must-read recent publications-from a rich and sprawling literature, as well as thought-provoking African nonfiction book recommendations, including on African history and economics. I’ve read some exceptional African literature and non-fiction publications over the years.
They’ve helped me to learn history, culture, and check my privilege. They’ve validated my thoughts on the realities of humanitarian aid. They’ve allowed me to delve deeper into major 20th century African events. Most of my favourite books are more than a few years old. Some are useful when planning your journey to East Africa or Uganda. Some are international best sellers and widely read (and cherished) the world over. Some are obscure African literature, well worth exploring.
Here's a curated list to start your literary journey through Africa:
📚 Exploring the Depths of South African Literature: A Literary Journey 📚
Fiction
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: Easily one of the most famous African novels of all time. First published in the 1950s, it sketches a world in which violence, war, and suffering exist, but are balanced by a strong sense of tradition, ritual, and social coherence. A balance the world needs to understand. Written by a literary master.
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: A love story, but also the story of two young Nigerians growing up, leaving Africa for “greener pastures”, and not finding what they expected. Having recommended this particular book, I’ll also say that pretty much EVERY book by this author is worth reading. She will open your eyes to every day life in Nigeria, through recent history.
- The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver: This is basically the story of what NOT to do when entering Africa for the first time. It details the exploits of a 19th century American missionary family as they try to conquer Congo.
- The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith: A delightful series set in Botswana, featuring Precious Ramotswe, the first female detective in the country.
- The Maestro, the Magistrate & the Mathematician: A Novel by Tendai Huchu
- So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba
- Transparent City by Ondjaki
- The Last King of Scotland by Giles Foden: Recently made into a major motion picture, starring Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin, this book is a super read that will give you insights into a fascinating period of Uganda’s history.
- Abyssinian Chronicles: A Novel by Moses Isegawa: An epic, sweeping story of Uganda, as it recovered from the oppressive Idi Amin regime. No matter how tough life gets (and it does get tough), Ugandans have an uncanny ability to keep positive and stay the course.
- Murambi, The Book of Bones by Boubacar Boris Diop: Most of us have read about the Rwandan genocide of 1994. This is a novel about its after-math.
- Tram 83 by Fiston Mwanza Mujila: The darker side of life in central Africa by an upcoming (and now award-winning) African writer.
- What is the What? by Valentino Achek Deng and Dave Eggers: Don’t know anything about the violent past of South Sudan?
Elsewhere in fiction, African fantasy and sci-fi are increasingly making their mark. Rosewater, by British-born Yoruba writer Tade Thompson, is a good example of Afrofuturism. One of our best sci fi books of 2019, it is set in 2066 Nigeria.
The emphasis in new African writing is away from politics towards how the individual responds to events, says South African novelist Mphuthumi Ntabeni, author of The Broken River Tent and The Wanderers. "We are connected to the spirit and it's an active connection. It's not somewhere that’s only in the afterlife, it's here in the present as well. That, I think, is endemic across all African cultures and traditions," says Zimbabwean novelist and poet Blessing Musariri.
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Most recently Glory by Zimbabwean NoViolet Bulawayo was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize; The Promise, by South African author Damon Galgut, won the 2021 Booker Prize and Abdulrazak Gurnah, the Tanzanian writer, won the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature.
Non-Fiction
- Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela: No African book list would be complete with out this autobiography. As head of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, he was instrumental in moving the nation out of institutional white oppression, toward majority rule. He is revered worldwide for his work in human rights and racial justice.
- King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by Adam Hochschild: A detailed history of King Leopold of Belgium, as he made Congo his private fiefdom. This is an incredibly difficult read, but unique in that this story of colonialism took place during the time of modern photography.
- The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuschinsky: Written by a Polish journalist, he chronicles a continent that is joyous, connected, traditional, and so deeply human. Every African I know who has read this book cannot believe it was written by a European - he’s profoundly non-judgemental.
- Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa by Dambisa Moyo: This book offers a road map for international development that denies the efficacy of traditional humanitarian aid efforts.
- The Shackled Continent, Africa’s Past, Present, and Future by Robert Guest: A deconstruction (and credible theory) of why Africa is the only continent to grow poorer over the past 30 years. A controversial and engaging read that will help you understand the context and extent of some of Africa’s serious economic problems.
- 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa by Stephanie Nolen: Written a few years ago, these are true stories of people living with AIDS in Africa. Basically 1 story for each 1 million Africans surviving the physical and social ramifications of this disease.
- Girls Need Skills! New Daughters of Africa by Margaret Busby: An incredible international collection bringing together the work of more than 200 women writers of African descent.
On African history, we have historian Michael Gomez of NYU recommending books on the great African empires of the medieval and early modern periods. A Fistful of Shells, a prizewinning book by Toby Green of King's College London, also covers the period before European colonialism wreaked havoc on the continent. In his book, A Man With No Title, Xavier Le Clerc tells the story of his father, who was born in extreme poverty in the mountains of Algeria and emigrated to France to give his children a better life.
Travel Guides and Language Resources
- Lonely Planet East Africa (Travel Guide): Details of what to see, where to stay, with brief histories and cultural information for a wide array of East African locations. Suitable for all budgets. I’d buy a hard copy of this one for easy bookmarking and reference while on the move. Lonely Planet publishes country and regional travel guides for destinations all over Africa.
- Rough Guide Swahili Phrasebook: Kiswahili is the dominant language in Kenya and Tanzania. While English is widely spoken, having a handy phrase book will endear you to locals in cities, towns, and villages alike.
- Luganda in 15 Easy Lessons by Stephen Nsubuga: While English is widely spoken in Uganda, this is an awesome resource to learn the dominant language in the south central region. It makes learning Luganda fun and engaging for travelers, volunteers, and even children born to Ugandan parents who live outside of Uganda. I’d get this one in hard copy for easy reference.
- Uganda Culture Smart: The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture by Ian Clarke: This is an excellent and incredibly detailed introduction to Ugandan culture, written by a long time immigrant, well known to Ugandans. His love of Uganda shines through every page. This book with help you understand Ugandan culture, the expressions used, and how to be polite at all levels of society.
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| Book Title | Author | Genre | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Things Fall Apart | Chinua Achebe | Fiction | A classic novel depicting pre-colonial Igbo society and the impact of colonialism. |
| Long Walk to Freedom | Nelson Mandela | Autobiography | Mandela's life story and his fight against apartheid in South Africa. |
| Americanah | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Fiction | A novel about a young Nigerian woman's experiences with race and identity in America and England. |
| Dead Aid | Dambisa Moyo | Non-Fiction | An argument against traditional humanitarian aid to Africa, proposing alternative development strategies. |
| King Leopold's Ghost | Adam Hochschild | History | A detailed account of King Leopold II's brutal exploitation of the Congo Free State. |
All are available for download at Amazon.com for less than $15, most under $8. This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and go on to buy anything, The Real Uganda receives a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Regardless of whether you shop from here or not, I sincerely hope you invest in a few of these. I’ve read each and every one of them, some of them thrice.
Planning your trip to Africa? Spend a little time with The Real Uganda.
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