Kofi Awoonor Books

Kofi Awoonor was a Ghanaian poet and author whose work masterfully wove together the poetic traditions of his Ewe people with contemporary and religious symbolism. Through his writing, he sought to capture the essence of Africa during the era of decolonization, exploring its profound transformations and challenges. Awoonor's distinctive voice and deep engagement with cultural heritage left an indelible mark on African literature, offering readers a unique lens through which to understand a continent in transition.

This Earth, My Brother
272 pages
10 hours of reading
In this debut novel, Kofi Awoonor brilliantly interweaves poetry and allegory into a profound tale of social corruption in post-colonial Ghana. Rooted in the African oral tradition, This Earth, My Brother paints a picture of post-independent Ghana through two distinctive narratives. In the first strand, we find Amamu, a young lawyer struggling to come to terms with his place amongst the new Ghanaian elite. Frustrated by the debauchery of his peers, and the misery engulfing the country, he decides to leave. During his journey across Europe, Amamu is gripped with a different kind of spiritual alienation – one that he can't run away from. Bridging the gaps between Amamu's story are chapters of rich prose poetry that tell an allegorical tale of new Ghana. From religious suffering to mermaids, Kofi Awoonor lyrically captures the inner workings of a man's disturbed conscience and the conflicting realities of Ghana's independence. 'Wonderfully musical prose.' Guardian 'A great and powerful literary personality.' Auma Obama
3.7
Until the Morning After
Collected Poems, 1963-1985
216 pages
8 hours of reading
Poetry. Kofi Awoonor is one of Ghana's leading literary figures, and this book collects all three of his published books of poetry into one collection, adding some new poems. Interest in Awoonor has grown recently as he has begun appearing at literary festivals. He is active in the Ghanaian government, serving as Ghana's Ambassador to Brazil and to the United Nations. UNTIL THE MORNING AFTER includes Awoonor's "The House By The Sea" which details his years as a political prisoner.

This Earth, My Brother

Until the Morning After