Reviews

June 10, 2023

When We Were Fireflies, Reviewed: Memory and the Multitudes of Living

The magical realist delights of Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s third novel.

Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera

March 16, 2023

I Am Still with You by Emmanuel Iduma, Reviewed: Haunting Histories

In the private space of family and the public space of Biafra, a significant new memoir asks questions of loss and longing. But will the answers be enough?

Echezonachukwu Nduka

January 13, 2023

Imagination’s Many Rooms by Amatoritsero Ede, Reviewed—Punchy Essays on Cultural Politics

There is a sharp memory laced with humor here, and an in-depth understanding of the issues at play.

Echezonachukwu Nduka

September 12, 2022

My Seven Black Fathers by Will Jawando Review—Family, Race, & a Nigerian Son’s Quest

“Without these men standing in for his father, he would have continued feeling ‘like I missed something only he could give me.’ This is a rich tapestry of the power of relationships in molding a precocious, restless kid who is black.”

Ikhide R. Ikheloa

June 14, 2022

God’s Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu Review—A Momentous Debut of Gay Love and Human Fullness

“This book is lush with evocative passages. So real are the characters, you could almost reach out and touch them.”

Emmanuel Esomnofu

January 28, 2022

Black Paper: Writing in a Dark Time by Teju Cole Review—For Humanity and Its Art

In Cole’s second essay collection and eighth book, there is his trademark assortment of angles to complex views. His subjects are immersed autobiographically, and he bears witness.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

January 18, 2022

Exodus by Gbenga Adeoba Review—Witnessing Loss and Histories

The Nigerian poet shows perplexities with measured control and composure—a detached storyteller with the simple yet daring assignment of pointing “humanity to the loss of itself.”

Paula Willie-Okafor

January 4, 2022

Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo Review—What Does It Mean for a Woman to Reclaim Herself?

A mixed-race woman’s search for her father in a fictional country.

Ernest Ogunyemi

July 28, 2021

The Fugitives by Jamal Mahjoub Review—Sudanese Music & Displacement

Even with its serious subject, the novel finds balance through sustained humor and is enhanced by Mahjoub’s ear for dialogue.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

July 12, 2021

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue Review—Oil Politics in a Tussling Village

The Cameroonian’s second novel incorporates storytelling elements from the Old Testament, where the destinies of marginalized peoples are entrenched in the communal and the spiritual.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

May 13, 2021

The Rinehart Frames by Cheswayo Mphanza—An Exciting Achievement in Intertextual Poetry

In his debut collection, the well-read Zambian poet samples artists and fuses forms, resulting in a remarkable conversation of influences, a homage.

Ernest Ogunyemi

April 15, 2021

Sacrament of Bodies by Romeo Oriogun Review—An Originative Work by an Epochal Poet

In his debut collection, the Nigerian poet exults in the beauty of queer bodies even in pain. His voice is prophetic and tourist, filled with experience and wonder.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

March 25, 2021

The Origin of Name by Adedayo Agarau Review—Narrating Grief

In his third chapbook, the Nigerian poet returns to grief. And he’s telling stories.

Ernest Ogunyemi

January 9, 2021

20.35 Africa Vol. III Review—The Pain Won’t Go Away

These poems hold some of the most visceral and philosophical stanzas you’ll read in any anthology, in any country.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

January 9, 2021

Waterman by Echezonachukwu Nduka Review—A Sobering Stare at the World

The Nigerian poet takes readers on a spiraling, sobering journey, full of humility and restrained passion.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

December 26, 2020

Nsukka Is Burning Review—How a Small University Town Influenced Nigerian Literature

BBC Radio 4 audio documentary explores the impact of place on writers out of Nsukka, from the Civil War generation to the present-day.

Uzoma Ihejirika

December 26, 2020

The Geez by Nii Ayikwei Parkes Review—Threading Family, Love, & Race

Inventing his own poetic device, the Gimbal, Parkes amplifies his strong imagery and perfect blend of humour and solemnity.

Uzoma Ihejirika

December 26, 2020

Transcendence by Wana Udobang Review—Woman in the Light

Like her previous spoken word and poetry albums, Dirty Laundry and In Memory of Forgetting, this is a feminist work, but it is the flair of the storytelling and music that makes the album tick.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

June 10, 2023

When We Were Fireflies, Reviewed: Memory and the Multitudes of Living

The magical realist delights of Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s third novel.

Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera

March 16, 2023

I Am Still with You by Emmanuel Iduma, Reviewed: Haunting Histories

In the private space of family and the public space of Biafra, a significant new memoir asks questions of loss and longing. But will the answers be enough?

Echezonachukwu Nduka

January 13, 2023

Imagination’s Many Rooms by Amatoritsero Ede, Reviewed—Punchy Essays on Cultural Politics

There is a sharp memory laced with humor here, and an in-depth understanding of the issues at play.

Echezonachukwu Nduka

September 12, 2022

My Seven Black Fathers by Will Jawando Review—Family, Race, & a Nigerian Son’s Quest

“Without these men standing in for his father, he would have continued feeling ‘like I missed something only he could give me.’ This is a rich tapestry of the power of relationships in molding a precocious, restless kid who is black.”

Ikhide R. Ikheloa

June 14, 2022

God’s Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu Review—A Momentous Debut of Gay Love and Human Fullness

“This book is lush with evocative passages. So real are the characters, you could almost reach out and touch them.”

Emmanuel Esomnofu

January 28, 2022

Black Paper: Writing in a Dark Time by Teju Cole Review—For Humanity and Its Art

In Cole’s second essay collection and eighth book, there is his trademark assortment of angles to complex views. His subjects are immersed autobiographically, and he bears witness.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

January 18, 2022

Exodus by Gbenga Adeoba Review—Witnessing Loss and Histories

The Nigerian poet shows perplexities with measured control and composure—a detached storyteller with the simple yet daring assignment of pointing “humanity to the loss of itself.”

Paula Willie-Okafor

January 4, 2022

Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo Review—What Does It Mean for a Woman to Reclaim Herself?

A mixed-race woman’s search for her father in a fictional country.

Ernest Ogunyemi

July 28, 2021

The Fugitives by Jamal Mahjoub Review—Sudanese Music & Displacement

Even with its serious subject, the novel finds balance through sustained humor and is enhanced by Mahjoub’s ear for dialogue.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

July 12, 2021

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue Review—Oil Politics in a Tussling Village

The Cameroonian’s second novel incorporates storytelling elements from the Old Testament, where the destinies of marginalized peoples are entrenched in the communal and the spiritual.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

May 13, 2021

The Rinehart Frames by Cheswayo Mphanza—An Exciting Achievement in Intertextual Poetry

In his debut collection, the well-read Zambian poet samples artists and fuses forms, resulting in a remarkable conversation of influences, a homage.

Ernest Ogunyemi

April 15, 2021

Sacrament of Bodies by Romeo Oriogun Review—An Originative Work by an Epochal Poet

In his debut collection, the Nigerian poet exults in the beauty of queer bodies even in pain. His voice is prophetic and tourist, filled with experience and wonder.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

March 25, 2021

The Origin of Name by Adedayo Agarau Review—Narrating Grief

In his third chapbook, the Nigerian poet returns to grief. And he’s telling stories.

Ernest Ogunyemi

January 9, 2021

20.35 Africa Vol. III Review—The Pain Won’t Go Away

These poems hold some of the most visceral and philosophical stanzas you’ll read in any anthology, in any country.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

January 9, 2021

Waterman by Echezonachukwu Nduka Review—A Sobering Stare at the World

The Nigerian poet takes readers on a spiraling, sobering journey, full of humility and restrained passion.

Emmanuel Esomnofu

December 26, 2020

Nsukka Is Burning Review—How a Small University Town Influenced Nigerian Literature

BBC Radio 4 audio documentary explores the impact of place on writers out of Nsukka, from the Civil War generation to the present-day.

Uzoma Ihejirika

December 26, 2020

The Geez by Nii Ayikwei Parkes Review—Threading Family, Love, & Race

Inventing his own poetic device, the Gimbal, Parkes amplifies his strong imagery and perfect blend of humour and solemnity.

Uzoma Ihejirika

December 26, 2020

Transcendence by Wana Udobang Review—Woman in the Light

Like her previous spoken word and poetry albums, Dirty Laundry and In Memory of Forgetting, this is a feminist work, but it is the flair of the storytelling and music that makes the album tick.

Emmanuel Esomnofu