Compliment of the Season Book Friend,
It's that wonderful time of year again: Best of the Year book lists! This week's journal will feature my top 2022 fiction novels.
And, of course, I want to know your favorite read of the year!
What books have you been reading?
A closer look at the majority of Nigerian readers reveals that we often prefer non-fiction. We are usually found reading books that advance our knowledge of the world, our professions, and our ability to be productive. It's interestingβand perhaps a little counterintuitiveβthat reading fiction can provide many of the same benefits for self-improvement while immersing oneself in imaginary worlds.
What lies in the power of fiction?
The power of fiction lies in its ability to engage our imagination, emotions and intellect. Fiction can also serve as a means of escapism, providing a way to temporarily step away from the stresses and challenges of our daily lives.
My favourite Fiction Novels of 2022.
The Concubine by Elechi Amadi.
This story is set in a traditional Igbo village. It is a love story about a beautiful woman named Ihuoma. She is a hardworking, obedient wife who is a joy to have. She is married to Emenike, a well-known and respected member of the community. He adores her and extols her beauty. After his death, Ihuoma became a young widow. As a result, she became involved with Ekueme, who loves her despite being married to the lady who had been betrothed to him since her birth. Their love was doomed when Ekueme died as a result of the side effects of a love potion.
Why it stands out this year:
This book is simple to read, and the author gives you Chinua Achebe vibes. Despite the tragic ending, the book is a love story. It's a masterpiece of African literature; I love the the Igbo words, proverbs, and customs in the book. It comes highly recommended by me.
The Visit by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Imagine a world in which women have complete control and men serve as women's subordinates, a world in which women are presidents, legislators, and business moguls. This is the plot of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's brief but engrossing fictional story "The Visit."
Why it stands out this year:
The Visit explores the ridiculousness of our gendered Nigerian society. A society where men and women are expected to follow laid down conventions. Chimamanda flipped these gender roles, so men became women and women became men. I recommend this book to every Nigerian man because I think Chimamanda helps us to understand what women go through. While this book is easy to read, it is also thought-provoking and humourous.
Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John.
Born on a Tuesday is a fictional work by Elnathan John, it follows the journey of a young Almajiri named Ahmad Dantala (whose name translates as Born on a Tuesday). Dantala faces so much challenges as he tries to make a life for himself. This magnificent book also explores how a society may devolve into anarchy as well as the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism in Northern Nigeria, which eventually gave rise to Boko Haram.
Why it stands out this year:
Elnathan John wrote a human angle story that had the good, bad and ugly. This is a sad story that showed the suffering of the downtrodden, the beggers of society, it is a story of the Almajiri children, a story of excruciating poverty, social exclusion and state failure. It is also a good story of resilience, s story of change, a story that gives hope. The story had the ugly scenes of chaos, death, political manipulation and fanaticism. I recommend this book to every Nigerian.
Everything Will Come by Sefi Atta.
"Everything Good Will Come" is a coming-of-age story that follows the life of Enitan Taiwo as she matures in postcolonial Nigeria and England. Enitan and her childhood friend Sheri Bakare experience grief, abuse, and rape while attempting to make a better life for themselves in the newly independent state of Nigeria as the country falls into a series of ethno-religious crises and political instability (the Civil war and succession of military coups).
Why it stands out this year:
This is yet another masterpiece of Nigerian feminist literature. It challenges the average Nigerian woman's societal expectations. It also brings up the issues that women face in society. The book is also rich in themes, with chapters on friendship, family, rape, activism, and much more. The book also introduces the reader to postcolonial Nigerian history and the country's numerous challenges. Sefi Atta is a Nigerian writer whose works I hope to read more of.
Weep not, Child by Ngugi Wa Thiong' O.
Weep Not, Child by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, takes us through a dark period of Kenya's colonial history. It centres on the interactions between Kenyan locals and British colonisers. This story is set during the Mau Mau Uprising, an eight-year battle in colonial Kenya under British administration. During this uprising in the 1950s, the British massacred thousands of African insurgents. The British was able to succeed due to its "divide and ruleβ Strategy.
The story follows the life of the protagonist Ngoroje, who desires enough education and learning to realise a profound goal of improving life for his father, mothers, brothers, and even his village. For him, education will not only help them reclaim the lands that white settlers had wrongfully taken from them, but it will also put him in a position of wealth and power. The rebellion of the Mau Mau cut short this ideal of his.
Why it stands out this year:
My Bookclub like this book, but I love this book. I love the themes introduced in the book. I admire the character development, language, and symbols in the book. Though this book was written in 1964, it is very much relevant in contemporary times.
Thank you Book Friend for reading. I hope to hear from you soon. Kindly share your 2022 booklist with me.
Your Book Friend,
Christopher E. A.