Bitter Leaf by Chioma Okereke

Bitter Leaf

Chioma Okereke

A well-received novel about life, love and death in an imaginary African village – lots of positive feedback on Amazon. The description is sensual, lush and evocative – but if you’re expecting instant appeal, you may be disappointed. This is more of a slow-burn experience as you gradually get under the skin of the many characters who inhabit Mannobe.

Extract
Jericho retreated to her private world, muting her mother’s disapproving scold and her father’s quiet laughter as she began her ritual. All that remained was her and her fingers, the different textures that played with them before teasing her mouth in an explosion of taste, everything else leading up to that moment forgotten.
Parallels
  • Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin
  • The Spider King’s Daughter by Chibundu Onuzo