Best African American Fiction Writers Of 2016

By Elizabeth Foster


The debate on how best to define an African American writer ranges on. Some insist on skin color while others are in favor of the relevance of their stories. Overall, there are great African American fiction writers who have captured the imagination of readers across board. Their fictional representation is exceptional with captivating stories that continue to win the hearts of more readers. Here are some of the best authors.

Allen Jeffery is the author behind Song of the Shank. His narrative is based on Tom, a blind slave used to explore the themes of family, love and identity. Jeffery is an authoritative narrator whose choice of language and structure are commendable. His style can only be matched by Ulysses. It is the manner in which this novel embodies contemporary world issues that makes it an outstanding read.

Dinaw Mangestu is among the distinguished recipients of MacArthur Genius grants for his writing prowess. The book All Our Names explores unique friendship and love that blossom in the struggles and hardships of post-colonial Uganda. It is about two friends in search of safety at a university in Kampala. Their story is continued in Midwest America, their new home upon migration in search of a new life. This narrative captures loyalty, survival and freedom in elegant and energetic prose.

Roxane Gay is known for her sensitive yet powerful prose. In An Untamed State, Gay tells the story of a young wife and mother by the name Duval Jameson. She is young, a mother and a wife, captured and held hostage in Haiti, her homeland. Her father, though endowed refuses to pay the ransom. This story shows how women face troubles when used as pawns by men. It tells the different phases of life before and after such ordeals.

Farah Nuruddin has made his mark in writing through other titles. The most notable is Hiding in Full Sight. This story is based on the life of Bella, a world renowned artist who learns of a suicide bomb that has taken his only brother. He abandons his career during a photo shoot for a photo magazine and returns to Nairobi where her niece and nephew are waiting. Farah highlights the losses borne by families in times of war and their efforts at redemption.

Foreign Gods, Inc. Is a captivating yet satirical depiction of how America commercializes exotic gods. It is told through the eyes of a taxi driver called Ikechukwu in New York City. He plans to steal a statue from his native Nigerian tribe and auction it a Manhattan Art Gallery to make money. It is written by Ndibe Okey.

Cynthia Bond takes you back to 1963 in her book Ruby: A Novel. Her story is that of a defeated girl returning to Liberty in Texas. She is far different from the energetic and hopeful belle who departed from New York in search of her mother and good life. The reception by men varies from that by women. Men ridicule her while women are charitable. It is a collection of the kindnesses and hurts of life.

The list of excellent Afro-American writers is endless. Other notable names include Helen Oyeyemi, James Marlon, Cole Teju and Ambani Chris. They are joined by Jacinda Townsend and Tiphanie Yanique in the list of excellent writers to watch. Two outstanding titles to mention are A Brief History of Seven Killings and Every Day is for the Thief.




About the Author: