lundi 28 août 2017

Award Winning Novels By African American Authors

By Dennis Wagner


The contribution made by African American writers in the world of literature is undeniably huge. They have consistently produced excellent page turners that have gone on to win numerous global awards. Their darling themes range from economic empowerment to immigration, race and relationships, among others. Bearing in mind the words of Maya Angelou that it is torturous to live with an untold story, the following novels by African American authors have enabled them to tell their stories to the world in a unique way.

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 written by the recipient of Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award named Alice Walker. She tells the story from the perspective of women especially their contribution to American culture through Broadway shows. It is a narrative laced with courage that was later turned into a move which was a nominee for Academy Award.

Getting to Happy is a carefully woven story by Terry Macmillan, the famed author of Waiting to Exhale. This is a more engaging and exuberant sequel that will captivate the mind of any reader. The story is a revision of the lives of Robin, Bernadine, Gloria and Savannah. In this setting, these characters are sassy, smart-mouthed and more vivid. They will encounter situations that force them to look deeper into own lives. They are only left with one goal, to chase happiness.

Octavia Butler is a household name whose profile grows with Bloodchild and Other Stories. This title comes after the award winning Kindred. As a recipient of Nebula and Hugo awards, her mastery of science fiction and story telling is undeniable. Her stories link the earth with distant stars in a skillful 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.

Nnedi Okorafor in Binti narrates the story of a recipient of a coveted scholarship to study at Oomza University. The institution is at another planet that demands a great deal of sacrifice. She has to fight to get there as well as bear with a people who have no regard for her culture. It is the passion to acquire knowledge that keeps her going and makes her bear the scars that come with the journey.

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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