Synopses & Reviews
In 2002, at the annual Zimbabwe International Book Fair, twelve literary books by African women were included for the first time in the category of Africas 100 Best Books of the Twentieth Century.” This was an important but belated affirmation of women writers on the continent and a first step toward establishing a recognized canon of African womens literature.
The Twelve Best Books by African Women is a collection of critical essays on eleven works of fiction and one play. The titles by African women that were included in the list of Africas 100 Best Books of the Twentieth Century” are: Anowa, Ama Ata Aidoo (1970); A Question of Power, Bessie Head (1974); Woman at Point Zero, Nawal El Saadawi (1975); The Beggars Strike, Aminata Sow Fall (1979); Burgers Daughter, Nadine Gordimer (1979); The Joys of Motherhood, Buchi Emesheta (1979); So Long a Letter, Mariama Bâ (1980); Fantasia: An Algerian Cavalcade, Assia Djebar (1983); Nervous Conditions, Tsitsi Dangarembga (1988); Living, Loving and Lying Awake at Night, Sindiwe Magona (1991); Butterfly Burning, Yvonne Vera (1998); Riwan ou le chemin de sable, Ken Bugul (1999).
This collection of original essays recognizes the gesture of inclusion as an important shift in consciousness and creates a fresh awareness of the literary works by African women writers. Each essay offers a penetrating analysis of individual texts and opens up a fresh perspective that allows scholars and students alike to explore new dimensions of these writers work.
Review
In its optimism and affirmative tone, (
Twelve Best Books by African Women) echoes and expands on Juliana Makuchi Nfah-Abbenyis
Gender in African Womens Writing: Identity, Sexuality, and Difference and on Ogunyemis pioneering criticism.
Highly recommended."
Choice
Review
After (the) inspiring introduction, each title is examined sensitively and in depth. The books chosen range from North to South Africa and were originally written in English or French; all are excellent fictional texts from the 1970s to the 1990s. The analyses are aimed primarily for college-level study, though secondary school teachers can find them useful. All are interesting and extremely insightful.”
MultiCultural Review
Review
This is an important work for those interested in gender studies and literature, specifically those who wish to learn more about African womens representation of themselves and their realities.”
African Studies Quarterly
About the Author
Chikwenye Okonjo Ogunyemi, professor of literature and the founding chair of global studies, is currently faculty emerita, Sarah Lawrence College. Her publications include
Juju Fission: Womens Alternative Fictions from the Sahara, the Kalahari, and the Oases In-between and
Africa Wo/Man Palava: The Nigerian Novel by Women.
Tuzyline Jita Allan teaches at Baruch College, City University of New York. She is the author of the award-winning book Womanist and Feminist Aesthetics: A Comparative Review; coeditor of Literature Around the Globe; and editor of Teaching African Literatures in Global Economy, a special edition of Womens Studies Quarterly.