Wives at War and Other Stories

by Flora Nwapa

Book by Nwapa, Flora

Genres: Short Stories, Africa, African Literature

121 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Florence Nwanzuruahu Nkiru Nwapa (13 January 1931 – 16 October 1993) was a Nigerian author best known as Flora Nwapa. Her novel Efuru (1966) is among the first English-language novels by a woman from Africa.

Nwapa, born in Oguta, was the forerunner to a generation of African women writers. While never considering herself a feminist, she is best known for recreating life and traditions from a woman's viewpoint. In 1966 her book Efuru became Africa's first internationally published female novel in the English language (Heinemann Educational Books). She has been called the mother of modern African literature. Later she went on to become the first African woman publisher of novels when she founded Tata Press.

She also is known for her governmental work in reconstruction after the Biafran War. In particular she worked with orphans and refugees that where displaced during the war. Further she worked as a publisher of African literature and promoted women in African society. Flora Nwapa died on 16 October 1993 in Enugu, Nigeria.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Lupna Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the time, one gets singular satisfaction whilst reading the work of talented female writers- and certainly Nwapa is one of Africa's best. Her works live on, including in her short stories which I prefer to her excellent longer novels. One can empathise with the women here in this collection, their daily grind and fears, and life of the children; the moods, a woman's body and its travails, whether the characters are in rural areas, or in the city. And if aggression is needed, including fights, the satisfaction is still there. After all you hit a woman, you hit a rock! These are very well written stories

[Voke Etefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flora Nwapa was truly a talented storyteller. This compilation of women facing various "wars" was truly delicious. If you are looking for a quick collection of amazing stories you should read this!

[Edidiong Benjamin Umoh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of stories
Mostly set in the Biafra war era.

[Ugochi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting collection of stories, a lot of nostalgia for the Nigeria of my parents era.

[Erinayo Adediwura · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How gorgeous. When last did I feel this way? Twenty years ago? Was I still capable of this kind of feeling? I had thought that that part of me had gone in the long years of my marriage;" The preamble thought of a married woman who is about to get good [redacted] from her Sugar baby. I love these stories so much. I chuckle and smirk with every page! 4.5/5

[Doubra Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second book by this writer. Her writing reflects the times she grew up in. It’s witty, insightful and feminist.