best postcolonial novels

Well, 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys is considered among the best postcolonial novels. It gives a voice to Bertha Mason from 'Jane Eyre', exploring her life in the Caribbean before she became Rochester's mad wife in the context of colonialism. Then there's 'In the Castle of My Skin' by George Lamming which focuses on the experience of growing up in Barbados during colonial times and the search for identity in the post - colonial world. 'Omeros' by Derek Walcott is also excellent. It weaves together the history and culture of St. Lucia, exploring the impact of colonialism on the Caribbean people through a reimagining of Homeric epic.

A great postcolonial feminist novel is 'Purple Hibiscus' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It shows the life of a young girl in postcolonial Nigeria and her journey towards self - discovery and liberation from the patriarchal and religious strictures of her family. Another one is 'Nervous Conditions' by Tsitsi Dangarembga. Set in colonial Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), it focuses on the experiences of a young girl named Tambudzai as she tries to get an education in a society that is both colonial and patriarchal. It's a poignant exploration of race, gender, and class in that context.

One of the best is 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. It weaves a complex and magical tale around the birth of India and Pakistan. The characters are deeply intertwined with the historical events of the post - colonial era. Another great one is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. It delves into themes of caste, love, and family in the context of postcolonial Kerala. And 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth is also notable for its portrayal of postcolonial Indian society in the process of finding new identities.

You can start by looking at awards and critical acclaim. Novels that have won major literary awards like the Booker Prize often have strong postcolonial themes. For example, 'Midnight's Children' won the Booker. Also, look for books that explore the cultural, social, and political changes in formerly colonized countries. 'Things Fall Apart' does this really well for Nigeria. Another way is to check if the novel challenges the dominant colonial narratives. 'Wide Sargasso Sea' does this by re - imagining the story of Bertha Mason from a postcolonial perspective.

One way is to look at the awards they've received. For example, if a novel has won major literary awards like the Booker Prize (as 'Midnight's Children' did), it's likely to be among the best. Also, consider the themes they explore. If they deeply engage with postcolonial issues like cultural identity, the after - effects of colonial rule, and the transformation of society, it's a good sign. Reviews by respected literary critics can also point you towards the best ones.

The top 10 postcolonial novels include many remarkable works. 'The Intended' by Buchi Emecheta is one. It focuses on the experiences of Nigerian women in a post - colonial society. 'Omeros' by Derek Walcott is a complex and beautiful work that explores the postcolonial Caribbean. Also, 'The Famished Road' by Ben Okri, with its blend of magic and realism, offers a unique perspective on postcolonial Nigeria.

One of the well - known best postcolonial short stories is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It subtly reflects on the power dynamics and blind adherence to tradition which can be related to postcolonial themes of challenging established norms. Another is 'Interpreter of Maladies' by Jhumpa Lahiri which explores the immigrant experience, a common aspect in postcolonial literature as it deals with the after - effects of colonialism on identity and culture. Also, 'The Thing Around Your Neck' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delves into themes of race, identity, and the complex relationship between the colonized and the colonizer through a series of engaging short stories.

Another great one from such a list could be 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison. Morrison explores the experiences of African - American women in the context of slavery and its after - effects, which has strong postcolonial and feminist elements as it shows the struggle against the oppressive systems. It also touches on how women reclaim their identity and power within a society that has been shaped by colonial - like power structures.

One characteristic is the exploration of cultural identity. Postcolonial novels often show characters struggling to define themselves in the wake of colonial rule. For example, in 'Things Fall Apart', Okonkwo is caught between his traditional Igbo identity and the new, imposed colonial ways. Another characteristic is the critique of colonial power structures. These novels expose the unfairness and oppression of colonial rule.

Many of these novels are also characterized by their exploration of hybrid identities. Women in postcolonial settings often have to navigate between different cultures - the culture of their colonizers and their own native culture. This leads to a complex identity formation that these novels often explore. For instance, in novels set in South Asian postcolonial contexts, women may be influenced by Western ideas of feminism while also being deeply rooted in their own traditional cultural values, and the novels show how they negotiate these different aspects to form their own unique identities.