Contemporary Novels By Nigerian Authors That Belong On Your 2023 TBR List
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Loading... - Barbara Godwin
- 28 Feb 2023
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These works of literature are must-reads for anyone who resolved to read more books this year.
Nigerian literature has grown tremendously in the last 50 years. From early writers like Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka (who won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1986) to more contemporary writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the number of stories depicting the Nigerian experience has increased. The following contemporary novels are must-reads in the New Year.
“Stay With Me” by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
“Before you call the snail a weakling, tie your house to your back and carry it around for a week.”
“Stay With Me” spans 25 years and is set against the political turmoil of 1980s Nigeria. It tells the story of Yejide and Akin, university sweethearts who have difficulty getting pregnant after years of marriage. Polygamy is relatively common in their community, but they both agree that it is not for them. However, things become complicated when Yejide’s meddling in-laws intervene and introduce another woman for Akin to marry, breaking the common misconception that infertility in a marriage is solely the fault of the woman and has nothing to do with the man. This new development takes a psychological toll on Yejide, and she resorts to desperate measures in order to conceive and save her marriage.
The story examines how loneliness manifests itself in a relationship. As she deals with miscarriages and the growing distance between her and Akin, Yejide feels very alone, despite the fact that she is still married. In an interview with Vogue, Adébáyọ stated that she is fascinated by the widespread thought that romantic relationships are supposed to cure loneliness. “I think a large part of being human centers on the state of being alone, and we try to mitigate that in so many ways… I wanted to look at how it was possible to have an intensely intimate relationship like Yejide and Akin’s, and still feel very much alone for their own reasons,” she explained.
The book comments on how society approaches sensitive issues like infertility and child loss. Additionally, it explores the communication gap that exists between an older generation that still adheres to old beliefs and superstitions and a younger generation that is more open-minded. The topics covered include infertility, motherhood, loss, heartbreak, male fragility and family dynamics. Read More…
