Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Award Winning Novels By African American Authors

By Dennis Wagner


It is impossible to ignore the contribution African Americans have made to the literary scene. They are the authors behind some of the most amazing titles. Their works cover a range of themes including racism, economic empowerment, relationships, immigration, etc. As Maya Angelou once said that there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story, here are amazing novels by African American authors that everyone should read.

A Brief History of Seven Killings is penned by James Marlon. He has made his mark as a great story teller who is very attentive to details and can create some of the most vivid characters. It is a story of an unstable Jamaica as told through some of their famous sons. The central theme is the inability of a character to divorce self from a society and the inevitability of fate. This fate is usually delivered by the society one is living in.

The Color Purple is an excellent narrative by Alice Walker. The novel is the recipient of both National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. It captures the courage and contribution of women to the cultural phenomenon in America and especially Broadway shows. It has been turned to a movie that was nominated for Academy Award.

Terry Macmillan is a master story teller who rose to fame with Waiting to Exhale, among other works. This time she has penned Getting to Happy. The novel explores the lives of now-grown Savannah, Robin, Gloria and Bernadine. The image given is that of sassy, smart mouthed and vivid ladies. Their daily lives lead them to self discovery that could easily deny ordinary person happiness. They get a new calling to search for this happiness regardless of the circumstance.

One of the most iconic Afro-American writers is Octavia Butler. She chooses to make her mark using Bloodchild and Other Stories. She is also the hand behind Kindred, an award winning title. As a queen of science fiction, she will take you to different universes in a highly skillful and artistic manner.

The Fifth Season is an exciting narrative about a world that has gotten used to catastrophe. The opening scene features a sun whose view is blocked by ash from a rift on earth. You will also encounter the struggle of a man who has lost a daughter in the process and whose son has been killed. In the bigger plan, it is the powers that control the earth that are now being used as weapons. This story is a recipient of Hugo Award.

Binti is penned by Nnedi Okorafor. It is a story of sacrifice that a person has to make in order to gain knowledge. Being the first recipient of a scholarship to study at Oomza University, she has to sacrifice and be with people who have little regard of her culture. She has to travel through a torturous journey to get the knowledge and bear with the scars of war along the way.

The world has witnessed numerous tales by African American spinners. Other notable writers include James Hannaham, Jesmyn Ward and Colson Whitehead, among many more. The stories keep changing as new writers explore emerging themes. These stories continue to capture the attention of the world and even win numerous awards.




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