African Writers Books in Order
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The African Writers Series is a long-running collection of literary works by African authors, published between 1954 and 2024. It features a range of fiction and poetry that explores themes rooted in African experiences, often reflecting social and political contexts. The series includes works by notable writers such as Buchi Emecheta and Gabriel Okara, with titles spanning diverse narratives and styles.
Publication order
In the order the books were originally released.
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1954 · Cyprian Ekwensi
People of the City is the debut novel of Cyprian Ekwensi, first published in 1954 by Andrew Dakers Ltd. The novel was a predecessor to a number of…
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Buy on Amazon1957 · Mongo Beti
Medza, having failed his college exams, returns to his village in the Southern Cameroons. Despite his failure, he is seen as a scholar and gains…
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1961 · Onuora Nzekwu
Wand of Noble Wood is a 1961 novel by Nigerian author Onuora Nzekwu, later republished by Heinemann as part of the African Writers Series. The novel…
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Buy on Amazon1963 · Onuora Nzekwu
Eze Goes to School is a 1963 children's novel written by Nigerian author Onuora Nzekwu and British author Michael Crowder. It was published in the…
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1964
The African is a 1964 novel by Sierra Leonean author William Farquhar Conton. It was the 12th book published in Heinemann's African Writers Series.…
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Buy on AmazonThe Voice (African Writers Series, No. 68)
1964 · Gabriel Okara
The Voice (African Writers Series, No. 68) is a 1964 book by Gabriel Okara. It is part of the series African Writers Series. Catalog genres: Fiction,…
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Buy on Amazon1966 · Chinua Achebe
A Man of the People is a 1966 novel by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. The story is told by Odili, a young and educated narrator, who recounts his…
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1966 · Francis Selormey
The Narrow Path: An African Childhood is a 1966 autobiographical novel by Ghanaian writer Francis Selormey. Published in Heinemann's African Writers…
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Buy on Amazon1966 · John Munonye
The Only Son is the debut novel by Nigerian author John Munonye, published in 1966 as part of the Heinemann African Writers Series. The story centers…
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Buy on AmazonThe Lion and the Jewel (Three Crown Series)
1967 · Wole Soyinka
The Lion and the Jewel is a play by Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka. It was first performed in 1959 in Ibadan. In 1966, it was staged in London,…
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Buy on Amazon1971 · Kofi Awoonor
A 1972 novel by Kofi Awoonor, it is described by the author as a "prose poem." The story unfolds on two levels. The first is a standard narrative…
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1972 · Buchi Emecheta
In the Ditch is a 1972 novel by Nigerian writer Buchi Emecheta. It was first published as a regular column in New Statesman, then published in book…
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1973 · Wole Soyinka
Season of Anomy is the second novel by Wole Soyinka, a Nobel Prize-winning Nigerian playwright and critic. Published in 1973, it is one of only three…
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1973 · Elechi Amadi
Sunset in Biafra is a 1973 book by Elechi Amadi. It is part of the series African Writers Series.
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1979 · Mazisi Kunene
Emperor Shaka the Great is an epic poem based on the Zulu oral tradition, compiled in Zulu and translated by South African poet Mazisi Kunene. It was…
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Buy on Amazon1980 · Buchi Emecheta
Sixteen-year-old Okei, an orphan who lost his family during the Nigerian civil war, enters a wrestling match to prove himself to his critical uncle…
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Buy on Amazon1981 · Jack Mapanje
Of Chameleons and Gods is the first poetry collection by Malawian poet Jack Mapanje, published in 1981 in the United Kingdom through Heinemann's…
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Buy on Amazon1983 · Buchi Emecheta
The moonlight bride is a 1983 book by Buchi Emecheta. It is part of the series African Writers Series.
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Buy on Amazon1984 · Zaynab Alkali
The Stillborn is a 1984 book by Zaynab Alkali. It is part of the series African Writers Series. Catalog genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction. The listed…
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1986 · Ngũgĩ wa Thiongʼo
Matigari ma Njiruungi is a 1986 novel by author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, written in the Kikuyu language. Its title directly translates to Remains of…
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Buy on Amazon1987 · Zaynab Alkali
The virtuous woman is a 1987 book by Zaynab Alkali. It is part of the series African Writers Series. Catalog genres: Fiction. OpenLibrary readers…
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Buy on Amazon1996 · Uche Azikiwe
Women in Nigeria is a 1996 book by Uche Azikiwe. It is part of the series African Writers Series. The listed edition runs 144 pages.
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2022 · Eloghosa Osunde
Vagabonds! is a 2022 collection of short stories by Nigerian author Eloghosa Osunde, published by Riverhead Books. The stories explore themes such as…
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2022 · Miracle Emeka Nkwor
What happened to Janet Uzor is a 2022 book by Miracle Emeka Nkwor. It is part of the series African Writers Series.
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Year unknown · Buchi Emecheta
A 2000 novel by Nigerian writer Buchi Emecheta, first published by Allison & Busby and later republished by Heinemann as part of the African Writers…
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read the African Writers Series books in?
Read them in publication order, starting with “People of the City”. Start with “People of the City.”
How many books are in the African Writers Series series?
We list 27 books , published between 1954–2024.
Where can I buy the African Writers Series books?
Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.
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Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.