Thursday 24 August 2017

Award Winning Novels By African American Authors

By Dennis Wagner


African American writers have made an undeniably significant contribution to the world of literature. They are responsible for award winning page turners. Some of their favorite themes include relationships, race, immigration and economic empowerment. In the words of Maya Angelou that the greatest agony is living with an untold story, here is a list of excellent novels by African American authors that helped them tell their stories.

A Brief History of Seven Killings is the work of Marlon James. James is an unrivaled story teller who has shown great eye for details and the ability to create believable characters. The novel digs into the instability in Jamaica and provides a chronicles of the lives of famous characters in the Jamaican society. According to the novel, it is impossible for anyone to escape fate as long as he is living in a certain community or setting.

The writer of The Color Purple is a recipient of National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. Alice Walker chooses the theme of women and their social contribution to culture. She picks Broadway shows to highlight the contribution women make to the culture of this society. The movie that was developed from this novel went on to be nominated for Academy Award.

Terry Macmillan had already established herself as an award winning story teller with mastery of characterization when she wrote Getting to Happy. It was a continuation of Waiting to Exhale which had already received international acclaim. She sticks with her main characters namely Savannah, Bernadine, Gloria and Robin. She portrays them as vivid, smart mouthed and sassy characters. In their daily endeavors they encounter situations that force them to chase personal happiness that must come from within.

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 opens with a great rift that spews ash which blocks the view of the sun. The opening also has a missing daughter and a murdered son. The wound of betrayal is also rising up to fester. The land has developed familiarity with catastrophe which leaves no room for mercy. The power that holds the earth is now used as a weapon. This novel is the 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.

There are many authors who have produced excellent titles worth reading. These writers include Colson Whitehead, James Hannaham and Jesmyn Ward, among others. New writers continue to emerge as the classic titles are turned into award winning movies to underline the value of their narratives.




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