Amos Tutuola

Amos Tutuola was a Nigerian writer who became famous for his novel 'The Palm-Wine Drinkard', which was first published in 1952. His work is known for its unique use of English, influenced by Yoruba folklore and language. Tutuola's writing style was a blend of fantasy and folklore, which brought him both acclaim and criticism. Despite the controversy, he played a significant role in introducing African literature to a global audience.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Palm Wine Drinkard And His Dead Palm Wine Tapster In The Dead's Town

    Cover of 'The Palm Wine Drinkard And His Dead Palm Wine Tapster In The Dead's Town' by Amos Tutuola

    This novel follows the surreal and fantastical journey of an African man with an insatiable thirst for palm wine, who, after the death of his skilled tapster, embarks on a quest to the land of the dead in hopes of bringing him back to the world of the living. Along the way, he encounters a myriad of bizarre and supernatural obstacles, including ghosts, witches, and other mythical creatures, each presenting their own challenges and moral lessons. The narrative, rich with the oral tradition of Nigerian folklore and written in a distinctive pidgin English, weaves a tale that explores themes of desire, loss, and the intersection of the living and the spiritual realms.

    The 1164th Greatest Book of All Time

  2. 2. My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts

    Cover of 'My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts' by Amos Tutuola

    The book is a phantasmagorical narrative that follows the harrowing journey of a young boy who, while fleeing from slave traders, becomes lost in a supernatural realm known as the Bush of Ghosts. This mystical forest is inhabited by a myriad of spirits and creatures drawn from Yoruba folklore. As the boy navigates through this eerie landscape, he encounters a series of ghostly domains, each ruled by its own peculiar entities. Throughout his surreal odyssey, which spans several years, he is subjected to bizarre and often terrifying experiences, all the while yearning for a return to his human family and the normal world. The story is a blend of traditional African folklore, myth, and the author's own rich imagination, offering a vivid exploration of the themes of survival, bravery, and the clash between the natural and supernatural worlds.

    The 3782nd Greatest Book of All Time