Some African best novels include 'So Long a Letter' by Mariama Bâ. It's a beautifully written epistolary novel that deals with themes like female friendship, polygamy, and post - colonial identity in Senegal. 'The Joys of Motherhood' by Buchi Emecheta is another. It tells the story of a Nigerian woman's life, her hopes, and her disappointments in marriage and motherhood. And 'Waiting for the Barbarians' by J. M. Coetzee, although the author is South African - born, the novel has a strong connection to the African context, exploring power dynamics and moral ambiguity.
A great African novel is 'The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born' by Ayi Kwei Armah. It's set in post - colonial Ghana and reflects on the corruption and disillusionment that followed independence. The novel gives a deep look into the society's problems at that time. 'So Long a Letter' by Mariama Bâ is another notable one. It's a story of a Senegalese woman's life through a letter, dealing with themes such as polygamy, female identity, and friendship.
'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy, although the author is Indian - American, the story is set in Kerala, India which has some cultural similarities to parts of Africa in terms of family - centric values. It is a best - seller that has been lauded for its lyrical prose and its exploration of themes such as caste, love, and the consequences of small actions in a rigid society.
One great African fantasy novel is 'Who Fears Death' by Nnedi Okorafor. It's a powerful story set in a post - apocalyptic Africa with elements of magic and a strong female protagonist fighting against oppression.
One of the great African adventure novels is 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe. It offers a deep look into the Igbo society and the challenges faced during the colonial era. The story of Okonkwo is full of cultural exploration and personal struggle which can be seen as an adventure in a different sense.
One of the well - known African graphic novels is 'Mausoleum of Lovers' by Ibrahim Kamara. It beautifully combines African cultural elements with engaging storytelling. Another great one is 'Priya’s Shakti' which addresses important issues in a very creative and visually appealing way.
One of the best is 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe. It gives a vivid picture of Igbo society in Nigeria before the arrival of the Europeans and how colonialism disrupted it. Another great one is 'Half of a Yellow Sun' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It tells the story of the Biafran War and its impact on the people. Also, 'The Palm - Wine Drinkard' by Amos Tutuola is a classic, with its unique blend of African folklore and modern narrative.
There's 'A Grain of Wheat' by Ngugi wa Thiong'o. This novel looks at the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya. It shows the complex relationships among the characters during that time of struggle. 'So Long a Letter' by Mariama Bâ from Senegal is also worth mentioning. It's a poignant exploration of female friendship, polygamy and the status of women in African society.
Some of the top African American novels include 'Native Son' by Richard Wright. This novel shows the impact of racism on the life of Bigger Thomas. 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' by James Baldwin is also highly regarded. It tells a semi - autobiographical story of a young boy growing up in Harlem. And 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' by Zora Neale Hurston. It's a story of a black woman's journey through different relationships and her search for self - realization.
One of the best is 'The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith. It follows the adventures of Precious Ramotswe in Botswana as she solves various mysteries with her unique charm and wisdom.
One of the best is 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' by Zora Neale Hurston. It beautifully portrays the life of a Black woman in the early 20th century, exploring themes of love, race, and self - discovery.