Celebrating Black Voices: A Personal Selection of Black Authors by Evie Lovett

To celebrate the works and lives of some of my favourite black authors, I will be reflecting on some of their most thought-provoking and incredible novels. While some of these novels may well be familiar to you, I also hope to introduce you to some of these authors’ lesser known works that will both intrigue and inform. By sharing these books with you, I hope to remind you all why these stories should be remembered and more importantly why you should read and return to them for years to come.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

“I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fibre and liquids – and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible because people refuse to see me… when they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves or figments of their imagination – indeed, everything and anything except me.”

Ellison’s novel explores the invisible existences of African Americans in 1950’s America. More specifically it centres around the isolation of one man and his battle with the racism present throughout America. The unnamed narrator escapes the chaos of the South and embarks on a journey to Harlem, drawn by the promise of new opportunities, employment, and a fresh start.

Ellison’s writing is raw and emotional as readers are completely immersed into the world of cruel treatment confronted by Ellison’s protagonist. While this novel centres on the life of one invisible man, it transcends the individual experience, as Ellison voices the collective struggles faced by generations of Black Americans. Invisible Man is an American classic that has transformed my understanding and knowledge of the African-American experience and is a novel I am delighted to share my appreciation for with you.

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“...my point is that the only authentic identity for the African is the tribe… I am Nigerian because a white man created Nigeria and gave me that identity. I am black because the white man constructed black to be as different as possible from his white. I was Igbo before the white man came.”

Adichie is a Nigerian author who crafts fiction that delves into the lives and histories of the Nigerian people. Half of a Yellow Sun captures an image of Modern Africa and ensures the history Adichie reimagines is confronted, understood and not forgotten.

Through interweaving the lives of 3 divergent characters, Adichie explores how Biafra’s struggle to become an independent republic impacts relationships, emotions and ultimately lives. Adichie’s reliance on eye witness events to inspire this novel grounds it in reality and awakens readers to the cruel events endured during this fight for independence.

Adichie is an extremely talented writer and I urge you to explore her other works of fiction – Americanah and Purple Hibiscus. You may have also heard of her TEDx Talk, We should all be feminists, that was later adapted and published.

TW: Reference to rape.

Mr Loverman by Bernadine Evaristo

“I am an individual, specific, not generic”

Many of you may know Bernardine Evaristo for her acclaimed novel Girl, Woman, Other, a profound and heartfelt exploration of womanhood through the lives of twelve different women.

In Mr Loverman, Evaristo once again delivers her signature honesty and insight, but this time through the story of one man: 74-year-old Barrington Jedidiah Walker. Known for his bold personality and even bolder suits, Barrington is a charming, quirky figure at the heart of this novel.

With humour and warmth, Mr Loverman offers a delightful glimpse into Britain’s older Caribbean community, while celebrating the complex pursuit of true love. It’s a funny, uplifting story guaranteed to leave you smiling.

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

“...love brought you here. If you trusted love this far, don't panic now.”

While it’s essential to highlight James Baldwin’s lesser-known novel, If Beale Street Could Talk, it is equally important to acknowledge the work for which many of you may recognise him: Giovanni’s Room.

In this narrative, Baldwin delves into the complexities of queerness and the struggles of two men grappling with their sexuality. The story is both heart-wrenching and beautiful, capturing the profound emotions associated with love and denial. This powerful novel leaves a mark on its readers, drawing me and many others back to its pages, even if it results in deep heartache.

However, the book I would like to bring to your attention is If Beale Street Could Talk, a poignant novel that explores the intimate and profound love shared between the narrator, Tish, and her childhood friend, Fonny. Their romance is tragically disrupted when Fonny, the father of Tish's unborn child, is wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Yet before we see Fonny as a criminal, Baldwin immerses us in the passionate depths of their love.

Baldwin masterfully weaves themes of perseverance, not only in romantic love but also in familial bonds, as love ultimately drives this narrative. The novel bravely confronts the prejudices that tears these lovers apart and devastates their lives. Yet, through Tish and Fonny’s unwavering determination to overcome these obstacles, Baldwin’s writing remains relevant, offering integral insights into the pervasive racism that continues to affect so many lives.

TW: Reference to rape.

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