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Original poster

Books set in africa?

64 replies

FuzzzyDuckosaurus · 06/06/2012 23:18

Looking for recommendations on books similar to 'a thousand splendid suns', 'half a yellow moon' etc.
Really enjoyed these and a few others buy the same authors and looking for some new ones.
Thanks

OP posts:
HRHEightiesChick · 06/06/2012 23:51

It is a big read but if you feel at all like some historical background, Thomas Pakenham's The Scramble for Africa is the book to read about how Africa was carved up into colonies in the 19th century. Gives you the narrative behind exactly why things are so bad in the Congo etc. May not be what you are looking for so feel free to disregard if you are purely after fiction.

Original poster
FuzzzyDuckosaurus · 06/06/2012 23:43

Disgrace is sounding good too!! Grin

OP posts:
drugofthenation · 06/06/2012 23:40

Oh, now I love Barbara Kingsolver, and really hated Poisonwood. But it is undeniably set in Africa!

Original poster
FuzzzyDuckosaurus · 06/06/2012 23:36

Done a quick google and poisonwood bible is sounding good. Might check library and see if they have it. I'll write down all suggestions and see if I can spot any in charity shop Smile

OP posts:
sayanything · 06/06/2012 23:36

Oh and Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee. Ok, ok, I'm stopping.

sayanything · 06/06/2012 23:34

Then do look up the Poisonwood Bible -it's written from the point of view of four women, the wife and daughters of an American missionary, who move to a remote part of the Congo which is just on the cusp of independence. It's beautifully written and a fantastic story. Sorry, I'll stop here, I tend to get evangelical about books.

Oh and I second The Last King of Scotland and the Aminatta Forna one that Devora mentioned is The Memory of Love, I think. It's on my list but I haven't read it yet.

drugofthenation · 06/06/2012 23:34

She writes in the tradition of Chinua Achebe, so try his most famous one: Things Fall Apart.

Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga.

Jagua Nana by Cyprian Ekwensi.

There's the whole No1 Ladies Detective Agency series - I'm not a fan, but they are very popular, so lots of people disagree with me!

wild · 06/06/2012 23:33

slightly older but chinua achebe for nigeria
doris lessing grass is singing
alan paton cry beloved country

GreyTS · 06/06/2012 23:30

Try John Le Carre's The Constant Gardener, loads of non fiction set in Africa if you would enjoy that.

Original poster
FuzzzyDuckosaurus · 06/06/2012 23:27

Thank you, I shall look them up! Now that dd is in her own room, I can get back to reading at night Smile

OP posts:
Devora · 06/06/2012 23:25

The Last King of Scotland, Giles Foden
The latest one by Aminatta Forna (can't remember title; set in Sierra Leone)
Abyssinian Chronicles, Moses Isegawa

Original poster
FuzzzyDuckosaurus · 06/06/2012 23:25

I'm maybe not explaining myself very well Blush. Like books set in Africa and the troubles that go with it. I've read a few by chimamanda ngozi adichie and loved them.

OP posts:
sayanything · 06/06/2012 23:24

The Poisonwood Bible is a fantastic read, set in the Belgian Congo.

hiveofbees · 06/06/2012 23:21

Power of One is set in Africa, and is very good, but might not be exactly what you are looking for?