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This year, I challenged myself to read more African books, especially historical fiction, and I’m so glad I did.
I’ve come across so many incredible stories that transported me, moved me, and stayed with me long after I finished.
Even though these books are set in different times and places, they feel so relatable, full of emotions and experiences that hit close to home.
Each book on this list became a favorite, and putting this post together felt personal.
These are all stories that spoke to me, and I’m really excited to share them with you.
African authors have such a unique gift for storytelling, and if you’re looking for books that are both powerful and unforgettable, I think you’ll find something here to love.
1. Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta
In this novel, we meet Ijeoma, a young girl growing up during Nigeria’s civil war, who’s trying to make sense of who she is—especially when she falls in love with another girl.
This forbidden relationship, between girls from different ethnic groups, brings all the challenges of navigating love in a society full of tradition and prejudice.
Okparanta does an amazing job blending Nigeria’s folklore with the very real struggles of finding one’s true self in a place where conformity is often expected.
Under the Udala Trees is such a beautifully moving story!
Okparanta’s writing really pulls at the heartstrings—it’s gentle but still so honest about the pain and isolation that comes with hiding parts of yourself.
It left me thinking about how hard it is to love openly when society says otherwise.
If you’re in the mood for a story that’s both touching and hopeful, this one is a perfect pick.
2. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
This is a true classic of African literature, centered around Okonkwo, a respected Igbo leader whose life is turned upside down by the arrival of British missionaries.
Achebe brilliantly captures the effects of colonialism, showing how it disrupts not only Okonkwo’s life but also the traditional world he’s known.
It’s a powerful story about the push and pull between old ways and new influences, and it’s written in such a way that makes you feel deeply for everyone involved.
There’s something timeless about Things Fall Apart.
Achebe makes you feel like you’re right there in Okonkwo’s village, experiencing the beauty and the heartbreak of a way of life that’s slowly changing.
It’s a straightforward, deeply moving story that says so much about resilience, identity, and the cost of change.
I’d call this an absolute must-read for anyone curious about Africa’s history and culture.
3. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Set during Nigeria’s Biafran War, Half of a Yellow Sun weaves together the lives of three characters: Ugwu, a young houseboy; Olanna, a professor’s girlfriend who’s left behind a privileged life; and Richard, a British man drawn to Olanna’s enigmatic twin sister.
Their ideals, friendships, and loyalties are all tested as the war unfolds, giving us a story filled with love, betrayal, and the struggle to hold onto humanity when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
Adichie has a gift for creating characters that feel so real you’d swear they’re sitting right next to you.
Half of a Yellow Sun doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of war, but it’s also full of love, resilience, and unexpected connections.
It’s a big, ambitious book, yet Adichie’s storytelling makes it all feel intimate and relatable.
You come away from this one with a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s history and a renewed appreciation for the strength of the human spirit.
4. Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah
This is the story of Ilyas and Hamza, two young men whose lives are turned upside down by German colonial rule in East Africa.
Ilyas was stolen as a child by German soldiers, while Hamza was sold into service and grows up in the shadow of a German officer.
As they return home and try to rebuild their lives, they become connected by fate, love, and the looming threat of another war.
There’s something so haunting and lyrical about Afterlives.
Gurnah writes with such empathy that you feel the weight of history and colonial trauma on every page, but he also leaves room for hope and love.
This novel made me reflect on the enduring effects of colonialism, and I couldn’t help but root for these characters as they fight to reclaim their lives.
5. Beyond the Door of No Return by David Diop
This one takes us to Paris in 1806, where botanist Michel Adanson whispers a woman’s name—Maram—as he lies on his deathbed.
This mysterious name ties back to Adanson’s youth in Senegal, where he heard tales of Maram, a noblewoman who was sold into slavery but managed to escape and build a life in a hidden village.
Adanson’s memoir of this journey reveals a love story set against the horrors of the French colonial era and the resilience of a woman who refused to let herself be broken.
Beyond the Door of No Return feels like uncovering a hidden gem of a love story wrapped in history and mystery.
Diop paints such a vivid picture of Senegal that it’s easy to lose yourself in this novel’s lush, lyrical world.
It’s emotional, adventurous, and filled with moments that feel both tender and powerful.
This book beautifully honors the resilience of those who defied colonial oppression, and it’s one I can see readers returning to again and again.
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6. This September Sun by Bryony Rheam
In This September Sun, we follow Ellie, a young woman from Zimbabwe who has a close bond with her grandmother, Evelyn.
When her grandmother is murdered, Ellie delves into the secrets of Evelyn’s past, which takes us back to 1940s Rhodesia.
Here, Evelyn, an English war widow, has a love affair with a powerful, married man, raising questions about love, loyalty, and family that will haunt Ellie in the present day.
The book is both a mystery and a touching exploration of identity in a changing Zimbabwe.
There’s such a warmth to This September Sun, even though it touches on some tough subjects.
Rheam balances history, family secrets, and love with a delicate touch, which makes it a really satisfying read.
Ellie’s journey to understand her grandmother’s past is relatable, and the way the book captures the beauty and complexity of Zimbabwe will leave you wanting to learn even more about the country’s history.
It’s a story that makes you think about family, belonging, and the legacies we inherit.
Best African Historical Fiction Books by Women
7. Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
Kintu is an ambitious reimagining of Uganda’s history, focusing on the Kintu clan’s tragic fate, set off by a curse in 1750.
Generations later, Kintu’s descendants are still living in its shadow, navigating the delicate balance between their traditional heritage and the demands of a modern world.
Makumbi has created an epic story, full of vivid characters and steeped in Uganda’s rich cultural history.
Makumbi’s Kintu pulls you in from page one! The way she blends family drama with Uganda’s history is just masterful.
You feel like you’re traveling through time with each generation of the Kintu family, feeling their hopes, regrets, and desire to escape the weight of the past.
It’s an intense and satisfying read, especially if you enjoy stories where family legacies and cultural identity play a big role.
8. In the Palace of Flowers by Victoria Princewill
Inspired by a real-life account of an Abyssinian slave in Iran, In the Palace of Flowers takes readers to the Persian court in the late 1800s.
It follows two slaves, Jamila and Abimelech, as they navigate the royal palace’s tangled webs of ambition, secrets, and betrayal.
Jamila and Abimelech’s quest for meaning and control in a life not fully their own makes this story haunting and richly layered.
This book is a rare gem! Princewill brings the Persian court to life with such beautiful detail, and the characters are unforgettable.
Jamila and Abimelech’s story is one of resilience and survival, but there’s also this sense of yearning to be remembered, to be someone in a world that sees them as “nobodies.”
It’s fascinating, heart-wrenching, and a really immersive read if you love historical settings that feel fresh and unique.
9. She Would Be King by Wayetu Moore
She Would Be King weaves Liberia’s early history with elements of magical realism through the lives of three unforgettable characters.
There’s Gbessa, who’s been ostracized from her village, June Dey, a man with superhuman strength fleeing slavery, and Norman Aragon, who can fade from sight.
Together, their powers are woven into Liberia’s founding story, helping to bridge divides and bring hope in a time of tension and possibility.
Moore creates this spellbinding story where history and folklore mix in a way that feels so natural.
Each character’s journey is powerful on its own, but together, they form a story of strength, resilience, and unity.
I couldn’t help but root for them all the way. If you’re into historical fiction with a bit of the supernatural, this one’s a must-read.
10. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Homegoing tells the story of two half-sisters in 18th-century Ghana: Effia, who marries a British slave trader, and Esi, who is sold into slavery.
Their descendants experience vastly different lives, one line in Ghana and the other in America, with Gyasi capturing the echoes of slavery, war, and migration across centuries.
It’s an incredible, sweeping story about the bonds that can connect—and divide—families across time and place.
Reading Homegoing feels like reading an entire history book, but with all the warmth, detail, and emotion of fiction.
Gyasi’s way of telling each generation’s story is so moving; it’s impossible not to feel each family member’s struggles and dreams.
This book really opens your eyes to the lasting impact of history, and it’s a truly unforgettable experience.
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11. The Deep Blue Between by Ayesha Harruna Attah
This adventure follows twin sisters Hassana and Husseina, who are separated after a raid.
As they each make new lives—one in Brazil and the other in the Gold Coast of West Africa—they stay connected through shared dreams of water, wondering if they’ll ever find their way back to each other.
It’s a sweeping story about sisterhood, resilience, and the ties that bind us, no matter the distance.
The Deep Blue Between has this dreamlike quality that just draws you in.
Attah beautifully captures the sisters’ longing for each other while showing how they each grow in their own ways.
It’s a moving story about finding home in unfamiliar places, and I loved the sense of connection the sisters share, despite being worlds apart.
Perfect for anyone who loves family stories with a dash of adventure.
12. Beneath the Lion’s Gaze by Maaza Mengiste
Set in Ethiopia during the 1974 revolution, Beneath the Lion’s Gaze follows a family caught in the turmoil.
Hailu, a doctor, faces prison for helping a tortured patient, while his son Dawit joins the resistance.
This is a powerful, heart-wrenching tale of family loyalty and the high price of fighting for freedom, set against a rarely explored historical backdrop.
Mengiste does such an incredible job portraying the emotional toll of war and revolution in Beneath the Lion’s Gaze.
Each character’s sacrifices and decisions feel so real and raw, and the writing is just beautiful.
This novel shows both the strength and vulnerability of people standing up for what they believe in.
It’s intense, but if you’re up for a powerful, thought-provoking read, this one’s worth it.
13. The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste
Set in Ethiopia during Italy’s 1935 invasion, The Shadow King tells the story of Hirut, a young maid who joins the fight against the Italians.
When Emperor Haile Selassie flees, Hirut and other women step up, disguising a local man as the emperor to rally the people.
This is an epic tale of female strength and bravery, showing women at the frontlines of war and the complex roles they play.
This book is gripping from start to finish! Mengiste’s storytelling is both fierce and tender, as it gives these women warriors a voice that’s often missing in war stories.
Hirut’s journey from a maid to a soldier is so inspiring, and you can’t help but be swept up in her courage.
The Shadow King is perfect if you’re looking for historical fiction that highlights untold stories of female power and resilience.
Epic African Historical Fiction Books to Check Out
14. Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee
In this story, we meet a Magistrate who has served the Empire loyally for years, overseeing a quiet frontier town.
But when interrogation experts arrive to root out “barbarians,” he witnesses the cruelty the Empire inflicts on prisoners of war.
Shocked and disturbed, the Magistrate takes a stand that ultimately marks him as an enemy of the state. Coetzee’s novel is a striking look at oppression, justice, and the choice between complicity and conscience.
Waiting for the Barbarians is powerful and thought-provoking, capturing the inner battle between loyalty and justice.
Coetzee’s writing makes you feel the Magistrate’s dilemma so intensely, and it really makes you think about how ordinary people get swept up in unjust systems.
It’s a heavy story, but one that stays with you long after reading.
15. How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue
Set in the fictional village of Kosawa, How Beautiful We Were tells the story of a community battling the pollution and destruction caused by an American oil company.
Broken promises from the company and a corrupt government leave the villagers with few options, so they decide to take matters into their own hands.
Through the eyes of young Thula and her family, Mbue explores what happens when a community fights to reclaim its land and protect its future.
Mbue’s storytelling is so gripping in How Beautiful We Were. She pulls you right into the struggles of Kosawa, and you really feel the desperation and determination of the villagers.
It’s heartbreaking yet inspiring to see the fight they put up.
This is one of those novels that makes you think about the human and environmental cost of profit-driven industries. A powerful read!
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16. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
This novel follows the Price family, led by evangelical preacher Nathan Price, as they move to the Belgian Congo in 1959.
Nathan brings his wife and four daughters, hoping to “save” the villagers, but soon finds that his rigid beliefs clash with the complexities of life in Africa.
Each member of the family reacts differently to their new home, and their lives take unexpected turns as they try to make sense of their experiences.
The Poisonwood Bible is one of those books that lingers with you.
Kingsolver does an amazing job showing each family member’s unique perspective, and it’s eye-opening to see how they change over time.
The story brings up big questions about cultural arrogance, family, and what it means to truly connect with another place.
It’s beautifully written and deeply thoughtful—definitely worth the read!
17. The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell
Serpell’s The Old Drift is a sweeping tale of Zambia’s history told through three interconnected families—one Black, one white, and one brown.
The story begins at a colonial settlement called The Old Drift, where a mistake in 1904 starts a cycle of events that binds these families together across generations.
From Italian settlers to Zambian Afronauts, Serpell weaves together politics, technology, and family, crafting a story as vast and layered as the country itself.
Serpell packs so much into The Old Drift—it’s part family saga, part sci-fi, part historical epic.
There’s magic, love, revenge, and it’s all set against a backdrop of Zambia’s real and imagined history.
It’s a book that feels fresh, daring, and totally unforgettable. Perfect if you’re up for an adventurous, multi-generational read.
18. The Black Crescent by Jane Johnson
Set in Casablanca after World War II, The Black Crescent follows Hamou Badi, a young man with the legendary marks of the zouhry—a child born of both humans and djinns, believed to have special powers.
When Hamou becomes a police officer, he finds himself caught between the French colonial authorities and Moroccan nationalists fighting for independence.
Torn between duty and his own heritage, Hamou must decide where his loyalties truly lie.
Johnson brings post-war Casablanca to life with such vivid detail, and Hamou’s struggle feels so real and raw.
You get swept up in the tension and magic of his story, especially as he tries to figure out who he really is.
It’s a unique blend of historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural, and I loved every bit of it.
19. Out of Darkness, Shining Light by Petina Gappah
This is the tale of the men and women who carried Dr. David Livingstone’s body across Africa after his death.
Told by Halima, Livingstone’s sharp-witted cook, and Jacob Wainwright, a freed slave and devout Christian, the novel captures their journey through hardship, loyalty, and the deep contradictions of colonialism.
Gappah paints an unforgettable portrait of those often overlooked by history.
Out of Darkness, Shining Light gives voice to the unsung heroes of a real historical journey.
Gappah’s characters feel so alive, each one with their quirks and convictions.
The story is a beautiful mix of adventure and insight into the costs of colonialism.
I found it eye-opening and full of heart. This is a perfect choice for anyone who loves character-driven historical novels.
20. Days Come and Go by Hemley Boum
This novel tells the story of three generations of Cameroonian women.
Anna, an elderly matriarch, lives in Paris, while her daughter Abi grapples with her cultural identity, and her granddaughter Tina gets swept up in a militant movement back in Cameroon.
Boum explores love, politics, and tradition in a changing nation, showing the deep bonds and conflicts that shape each woman’s journey.
Boum has a way of capturing each woman’s voice so vividly—you feel their hopes, fears, and the weight of their decisions.
It’s a rich story about family and belonging, set against Cameroon’s shifting landscape.
If you enjoy stories about mothers, daughters, and the push-and-pull between tradition and change, this book will hit all the right notes.
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Did you find anything to love? Will you be checking out any of these totally amazing books? Let me know in the comment section.
And, don’t forget to check out the related posts if you’d like to find some even more lovely African book recommendations.
