Five fictional novels in 2024 to read now

While the literature world celebrates its icons, we are reminded of some talented contemporary Nigerian writers whose exceptional works of fiction offer readers a diverse range of stories that reflect the depth and richness of African literature. Take a look at five fictional novels in 2024 to read now. 

And so, I roar

Five fictional novels in 2024 to read now is And so I Roar. This latest novel is by Abi Daré, a New York Times bestselling author of The Girl with the Louding Voice.  It is a heart-wrenching tale exploring family secrets in Nigeria. When Tia overhears her terminally ill mother in a Port Harcourt hospital, she embarks on a desperate quest to uncover a nearly two-decade-old secret. Back home in Lagos, Adunni, a plucky fourteen-year-old runaway, finds refuge with Tia and enrols in school, fulfilling her dream of getting an education. Daré presents a gripping tale of hidden truths and personal journeys.

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Blessings

Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh is a moving story of love and loneliness, showing how politics can influence personal lives. When Obiefuna’s father witnesses an intimate moment between his teenage son and the family’s apprentice, he banishes him to a Christian boarding school. There, among new faces who become friends, lovers, and enemies, Obiefuna hides his true self while, at home, Nigeria criminalises same-sex relationships. Told from both Obiefuna and his mother Uzoamaka’s perspectives, this debut novel explores the struggles of a family against societal pressures.

Children of anguish and anarchy

In the final book of the Legacy of Orïsha series by Tomi Adeyemi, Zélie faces her ultimate battle. After seizing the palace, she thought her struggles were over, but now she’s found herself imprisoned by King Baldyr, the ruler of the Skulls, who seeks to exploit her powers. As Zélie, Amari, and Tzain search for allies in unknown lands, Baldyr’s threat grows, and Orïsha faces catastrophe. Zélie must summon all her strength to defeat Baldyr and save her people from annihilation for good.

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A Kind of madness

In A Kind of Madness, a collection of 10 stories set in contemporary Nigeria, Uché Okonkwo explores the nuances of literal and figurative madness. The evocative prose unravels complex family dynamics, inviting readers to question how close relationships can drive us to madness. One story features a young woman and her mother basking in their neighbors’ envy over a marriage proposal that ultimately never materialises, leading to village tensions. Another follows a teenage girl torn between protecting her unstable friend and seeking help.

The road to the salt sea

This book by Samuel Kolawole is a searing exploration of the global migration crisis. The protagonist, Able God, works at a hotel in Nigeria but finds himself entangled in a dangerous situation involving Akudo, a sex worker. Forced to flee, Able joins a group of migrants and their journey across the desert is fraught with peril, from human traffickers to starvation, testing Able’s beliefs and survival instincts. It sheds light on the struggles faced by those seeking a better life, touching on themes of family, fate, and resilience.