Oyinkan Braithwaite has a way of writing that just pulls you in. Her book “My Sister, the Serial Killer” is full of dark humor, and it looks at the complicated bond between sisters in Nigeria. Are you searching for authors who offer a similar reading experience?
Here are some to check out.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author with a gift for creating engaging characters and rich storytelling. Her novel, “Purple Hibiscus,” follows Kambili, a fifteen-year-old girl caught between her strict, authoritarian father and the warm, open world of her aunt’s family.
Set against the backdrop of political unrest in Nigeria, the story weaves family drama with themes of identity and resilience. Adichie’s writing draws you into Kambili’s life and makes you feel her struggles and moments of discovery.
If you enjoyed the complex relationships in Oyinkan Braithwaite’s books, you might find Adichie’s work equally fascinating.
Megan Abbott has a way of tapping into dark, complicated relationships and the hidden emotions that drive her characters. In her book “Give Me Your Hand,” she explores the friendship between two women, Kit and Diane, who share a shocking secret from their teenage years.
The story picks up years later when both are working in a prestigious lab, and that buried secret crawls back to the surface, threatening everything. It’s tense, with a sharp focus on ambition, envy, and the weight of the past.
Abbott’s writing pulls you deep into the characters’ lives. If you liked the twisted dynamics in Oyinkan Braithwaite’s books, you might find yourself wanting to see how Kit and Diane’s story unfolds.
Tayari Jones is an author known for telling stories about family, love, and the weight of choices. Her novel, “An American Marriage,” follows a young couple, Celestial and Roy, whose lives are turned upside down when Roy is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit.
The story explores how their relationship shifts as they face years apart and how the world moves on around them. It’s a deep look at loyalty, justice, and the things that pull us together or break us apart.
Gillian Flynn writes dark, twisty stories that dig into the messy parts of human relationships. Her book, “Gone Girl,” explores a marriage that falls apart in the most shocking way.
It begins when Amy, a woman who seems perfect on the surface, disappears, leaving her husband Nick as the prime suspect. The story takes sharp turns, showing how far people will go to hide secrets and protect themselves.
If you enjoyed Oyinkan Braithwaite’s sharp and unsettling take on human nature in her writing, Flynn’s work might speak to you as well.
Esi Edugyan is a Canadian author known for her vivid storytelling and fascinating characters. Her novel, “Washington Black,” follows the journey of an eleven-year-old boy who escapes slavery with the help of an eccentric inventor.
The story takes you across continents, from a plantation in Barbados to the icy Arctic, revealing the power of freedom and the search for belonging. It’s full of unexpected twists and unforgettable moments, with a mix of heartbreak and hope.
Zadie Smith is a British author known for her sharp, character-driven stories that often explore family, culture, and relationships in complex social settings. Her debut novel, “White Teeth,” is a multigenerational story about two families in London, the Iqbals and the Joneses.
It weaves their lives together, highlighting friendship, identity, and the weight of the past.
There are moments in the book that offer sharp humor, like Archie Jones making an impulsive decision early on, and poignant moments that dive into generational conflicts within both families.
The story takes readers into the neighborhoods of London, filled with vibrant detail and layered interactions.
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah writes stories filled with sharp, vivid truths. His book, “Friday Black,” is a collection of short stories that dives into societal issues in bold and unique ways.
One story portrays a man navigating a world where racism reaches extremes; another takes Black Friday shopping culture to a dark and violent level. The stories mix real-world struggles with surreal, exaggerated settings, creating a memorable reading experience.
If you enjoyed the dark humor and unflinching characters in Oyinkan Braithwaite’s work, this might pique your interest.
Celeste Ng writes stories that often focus on family dynamics, secrets, and the way past decisions shape the present. In her novel “Little Fires Everywhere,” she explores the lives of two very different families in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
The story begins with a house on fire, and through that, layers of drama unfold. The Richardsons, a wealthy and orderly family, clash with a single mother, Mia, and her daughter, who lead a very different life.
Questions about privilege, identity, and motherhood bring tension to the surface, making their interactions unforgettable. If you enjoyed the sharp, layered storytelling of Oyinkan Braithwaite, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself drawn into Ng’s world.
Leila Slimani is a French-Moroccan author known for crafting stories that explore the darker corners of human behavior and relationships. Her novel “The Perfect Nanny” tells the story of a couple in Paris who hire a nanny for their young children.
At first, she seems perfect—hardworking, polite, and deeply devoted to the children. But as time passes, the couple begins to sense something is very wrong.
The book pulls you into the unsettling unraveling of trust between them and their nanny, showing how appearances can hide dangerous truths.
Jesmyn Ward writes stories set in the American South, exploring family bonds and resilience in the face of hardship. Her novel, “Sing, Unburied, Sing,” follows a boy named Jojo and his sister, Kayla, as they travel with their troubled mother to pick up their father from prison.
Along the way, Jojo encounters voices from the past, including the ghost of a boy who died in the same prison. The book offers a raw look at love, memory, and pain in a family trying to hold itself together.
Aravind Adiga is an author known for stories that explore class divides and moral choices in modern India. His book “The White Tiger” tells the story of Balram Halwai, a man born into poverty who becomes a successful entrepreneur.
The novel follows his transformation as he navigates corruption, servitude, and ambition, all while reflecting on the sharp contrasts between wealth and poverty. Balram’s voice is sharp and darkly funny, making the story both surprising and unforgettable.
Sefi Atta, a Nigerian author, writes stories that explore family, culture, and identity with sharp insight and humor. Her novel “Everything Good Will Come” follows Enitan, a young woman growing up in Lagos during Nigeria’s political and social changes in the late 20th century.
The story begins with her childhood friendship with Sheri, a rebellious neighbor, and takes readers through her struggles with traditional expectations and the fight for personal freedom.
It paints a vivid picture of life in Nigeria, capturing the tension between modern and traditional values in a way that feels personal and real.
Yaa Gyasi is a writer known for weaving stories that explore family, history, and identity. Her debut novel, “Homegoing,” follows the descendants of two half-sisters from 18th-century Ghana.
One sister is enslaved, while the other marries an Englishman involved in the slave trade. The story spans generations, shifting between Africa and America, uncovering the lasting effects of slavery and colonialism on their lineage.
Each chapter introduces a new character connected to the family tree, creating a powerful sense of connection across time.
Brit Bennett writes stories about families, secrets, and identity in a way that feels personal and engaging. Her book, “The Vanishing Half,” focuses on twin sisters who grow up together in a small Black community, but their lives take separate paths.
One of them disappears to pass as white, creating a distance that affects not only their relationship but the lives of their daughters. The story weaves through generations and examines how choices shape who we become.
It’s a thought-provoking read with layers that unravel through the lives of its characters.
Nadine Gordimer was a South African author known for exploring life during apartheid and its lasting effects. Her novel “July’s People” tells the story of a white family forced to flee Johannesburg when a violent uprising breaks out.
They find refuge with their Black servant, July, in his rural village. The book captures the shifting dynamics between the family and July as roles and power change in unexpected ways. It’s a sharp look at race, privilege, and survival under extraordinary circumstances.