Anatolia College Libraries: Global Tales: African American fiction

African American fiction

Contemporary African American fiction offers a nuanced and insightful exploration of American identity and history, unveiling hidden truths through subtle expressions. One recurring theme is the neo-slave narrative, which retells the African American experience and highlights the community's ongoing struggle to find its place in modern society. New generations of Black writers delve into similar themes, utilizing diverse mediums, formats, and genres to expand this narrative.

Prominent authors

Toni Morrison (1931 - 2019)
A literary giant, receiver of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993, known for her examinatioon of Black female experience. The cultural exploration of her characters identity is a main theme in her novels. She explored the African American experience with depth and beauty. Though not always an easy read, Morrison's powerful prose and unforgettable characters have earned her a place as one of the most important American writers.
Percival Everett (1956 - )
Percival Everett is an American writer known for his unique style and challenging themes. He tackles race, philosophy, and social issues through humor and experimentation. Though praised by critics, his work's variety has limited wider recognition. Recently, awards and adaptations of his novels are bringing him more attention.
James McBride (1957 - )
James McBride is a multi-talented American author and musician. His writing blends genres, exploring themes of race and identity with honesty and humor. McBride's most famous work, "The Color of Water," is a bestselling memoir about his bi-racial family. He's also won acclaim for novels like "The Good Lord Bird," which explores abolitionism through a captivating story. Both celebrated and seen as a writer's writer, McBride's work is earning increasing recognition.
Jacqueline Woodson (1963,-)
an American author who wrote more than 40 books for adults, young adults, and children that focus on African American experiences. Although Woodson’s books often dealt with challenging subjects, including child abuse, identity, and homosexuality, her works have been praised for their vivid portrayal of realistic characters, as well as for their emphasis on community and bonds formed through friendship. Her work helped to inspire children in the United States and was recognized with numerous awards and honours.
Colson Whitehead (1969 - )
an American author known for innovative novels that explore social themes, including racism, while often incorporating fantastical elements. Whitehead grew up in Manhattan and in 1991 he graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in English and comparative literature.
He was the first writer to win a Pulitzer Prize for consecutive books: the historical novels The Underground Railroad (2016) and The Nickel Boys (2019). During his career Whitehead taught at colleges and universities throughout the United States. He participated in speaking engagements. Among his other honours, Whitehead was the recipient of a MacArthur fellowship (2002) and a Guggenheim fellowship (2013).
Roxane Gay (1974–)
Roxane Gay is a powerful voice in American culture. From essays in the New York Times to her bestselling memoir "Hunger," Gay tackles complex issues like body image, feminism, and social justice with wit and unflinching honesty. A prolific writer across genres, Gay's work sparks conversation and challenges perspectives, making her a literary force to be reckoned with.
Jesmyn Ward (1977 - )
American novelist, memoirist, and essayist whose work primarily explores the lives of poor African Americans living in coastal Mississippi. She was the first woman and the first Black American novelist to win the National Book Award for fiction (in 2011 and 2017) twice. She is currently a professor of creative writing at Tulane University and lives in Mississippi.
Brit Bennett (1990–)
Brit Bennett, a rising star in American literature, explores identity and race in her captivating novels. Her characters grapple with complex choices and societal expectations, often against the backdrop of California. Both her debut novel, "The Mothers," and her critically acclaimed "The Vanishing Half," delve into these themes with a fresh perspective. Bennett's work is earning her a well-deserved place among the most exciting new voices in fiction.
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (1991 - )
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is a thought-provoking American author of speculative fiction. He tackles social issues head-on through gripping stories set in dystopian or imagined worlds. His debut novel, "Chain-Gang All-Stars," explores a brutal gladiatorial system, forcing readers to confront modern problems in a shocking new light. Adjei-Brenyah's work is both entertaining and challenging, making him a rising star in the world of science fiction.

African American Literature
Britannica article providing an overview of the African American literature, its history and influences.

African American Literature by Hans Ostrom (Editor); J. David Macey Jr. (Editor)
ISBN: 9781440871504
Publication Date: 2019-11-15
This essential volume provides an overview of and introduction to African American writers and literary periods from their beginnings through the 21st century. This compact encyclopedia, aimed at students, selects the most important authors, literary movements, and key topics for them to know. Entries cover the most influential and highly regarded African American writers, including novelists, playwrights, poets, and nonfiction writers. The book covers key periods of African American literature--such as the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, and the Civil Rights Era--and touches on the influence of the vernacular, including blues and hip hop. The volume provides historical context for critical viewpoints including feminism, social class, and racial politics. Entries are organized A to Z and provide biographies that focus on the contributions of key literary figures as well as overviews, background information, and definitions for key subjects.

Global Tales

African American fiction

Prominent authors

Read more