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Reviews

May 30, 2025

The Lives and Deaths of Véronique Bangoura by Tierno Monénembo, Reviewed: Mystery Guinean Girl on the Run, from Conakry to Paris

In the 78-year-old Guinean author’s 14th novel, translated by Ryan Chamberlain, names are history and memory is survival.
Victor Ebubechukwu Orji

March 25, 2025

Dream Count, Reviewed: A Great Novelist’s Chronicle of Vulnerabilities

Coming 12 years after her third novel Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s vital, splintered return to longform fiction shows classes of womanhood. It demonstrates yet again her elegant, unmatched grasp of language. In some ways, it is also different from her previous novels.
Paula Willie-Okafor
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Nigerian edition cover by Narrative Landscape Press

April 19, 2024

This Motherless Land by Nikki May, Reviewed: A Mixed-Race Woman Seeks Belonging

Entertaining and heart-wrenching, Nikki May’s sophomore novel is most fun when she draws parallels between Nigeria and England, with punchily rendered bits of cultural insight.
Paula Willie-Okafor
Nikki May - This Motherless Land

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
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim - When We Were Fireflies

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
Emmanuel Iduma - I Am Still with You

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
Amatoritsero Ede - Imagination's Many Rooms

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
My Seven Black Fathers by Will Jawando

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
God’s Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu

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
Black Paper: Writing in a Dark Time by Teju Cole

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
Exodus by Gbenga Adeoba

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
Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo

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
The Fugitives by Jamal Mahjoub

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
How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

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
The Rinehart Frames by Cheswayo Mphanza

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
Sacrament of Bodies by Romeo Oriogun

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
The Origin of Name by Adedayo Agarau

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
20.35 Africa Vol. 3

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
Waterman by Echezona Nduka. Credit: Griots Lounge.

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
University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Main gates.

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
Nii Ayikwei Parkes, The Geez. Credit to @BlueBirdTail on Twitter

May 30, 2025

The Lives and Deaths of Véronique Bangoura by Tierno Monénembo, Reviewed: Mystery Guinean Girl on the Run, from Conakry to Paris

In the 78-year-old Guinean author’s 14th novel, translated by Ryan Chamberlain, names are history and memory is survival.
Victor Ebubechukwu Orji

March 25, 2025

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Nigerian edition cover by Narrative Landscape Press

Dream Count, Reviewed: A Great Novelist’s Chronicle of Vulnerabilities

Coming 12 years after her third novel Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s vital, splintered return to longform fiction shows classes of womanhood. It demonstrates yet again her elegant, unmatched grasp of language. In some ways, it is also different from her previous novels.
Paula Willie-Okafor

April 19, 2024

Nikki May - This Motherless Land

This Motherless Land by Nikki May, Reviewed: A Mixed-Race Woman Seeks Belonging

Entertaining and heart-wrenching, Nikki May’s sophomore novel is most fun when she draws parallels between Nigeria and England, with punchily rendered bits of cultural insight.
Paula Willie-Okafor

June 10, 2023

Abubakar Adam Ibrahim - When We Were Fireflies

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

Emmanuel Iduma - I Am Still with You

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

Amatoritsero Ede - Imagination's Many Rooms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 3

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 Echezona Nduka. Credit: Griots Lounge.

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

University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Main gates.

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

Nii Ayikwei Parkes, The Geez. Credit to @BlueBirdTail on Twitter

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

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