Jean-Louis Njemba Medu (1902–1966) was a writer from Cameroon. He is seen as an early leader in African novels, as he published the science fiction/fantasy novel Nnanga Kon in 1932 in his native Bulu language. The story describes the meeting between the Bulu tribe and a white missionary; the title means “white ghosts” or “phantom albinos” in Bulu.
Frieda Ekotto is a French-speaking African woman who writes novels and studies literature. She is a professor at the University of Michigan, where she teaches about African American and African cultures and compares literature from different places. She is currently a Hunting Family Fellow at the Institute for the Humanities.
Calixthe Beyala is a writer from Cameroon who is part of the Eton people. She was born in Sa’a, Cameroon, to parents who are also from Cameroon. Her aunt and grandmother had a big impact on her growth.
Alexandre Biyidi Awala (30 June 1932 – 8 October 2001), also known as Mongo Beti or Eza Boto, was a Cameroonian author and writer who discussed important issues. He was considered one of the most insightful French-African writers for his descriptions of African life. The Guardian stated that “Beti must be counted as one of the leading African writers of the independence generation.” Beti lived most of his life in France.
Francis Bebey (French: [bəbɛ]), born on July 15, 1929, in Douala, Cameroon, and died on May 28, 2001, in Paris, France, was a Cameroonian expert in music, writer, composer, and radio announcer.
Marie-Thérèse Assiga Ahanda (born around 1941 and died on February 1, 2014) was a Cameroonian novelist, chemist, and highest leader of the Ewondo and Bene people. Early in her life, Ahanda worked in the chemistry department of the University of Yaoundé. Later, she moved to the Republic of the Congo with her husband, Jean Baptiste Assiga Ahanda, and began writing stories.
Lygia Fagundes da Silva Telles (born Lygia de Azevedo Fagundes; Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈliʒiɐ faˈɡũdʒis ˈtɛlis]; April 19, 1918 – April 3, 2022) was a Brazilian novelist and writer. She was known as “the lady of Brazilian literature” and “the greatest Brazilian writer” during her lifetime. Many experts, critics, and readers believe she was one of the most important Brazilian writers in the 20th century and in the history of Brazilian literature.
João Guimarães Rosa (born June 27, 1908; died November 19, 1967) was a Brazilian novelist, short story writer, poet, and diplomat. He wrote only one novel, Grande Sertão: Veredas (known in English as The Devil to Pay in the Backlands). This book is notable for mixing old-fashioned and everyday language, as well as using many new words.
José Lins do Rego Cavalcanti (July 3, 1901 – September 12, 1957) was a Brazilian novelist best known for his series of novels called the “sugarcane cycle.” These books were used to make movies that were shown in English-speaking countries. Cavalcanti was born in Pilar, Paraíba. He is considered one of the greatest regionalist writers of Brazil, along with Graciliano Ramos and Jorge Amado.
Graciliano Ramos de Oliveira (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [ɡɾasiliˈɐnu ˈʁɐmuz dʒi oliˈvejɾɐ]; October 27, 1892 – March 20, 1953) was a Brazilian modernist writer, politician, and journalist. He is known worldwide for his description of the difficult lives of poor people living in the Brazilian sertão in his novel Vidas secas. His characters are complex and detailed, often showing negative views about life.