Teju Cole

Teju Cole is an American writer, photographer, and art historian of Nigerian descent. He is known for his novel 'Open City,' which won the PEN/Hemingway Award, and for his work as a photography critic for The New York Times Magazine. His writing is noted for its exploration of cultural, historical, and personal themes, often touching on issues of identity and belonging.

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. Open City

    The novel follows a young Nigerian-German psychiatrist in New York City who embarks on solitary walks after a breakup. Through his meandering strolls, he encounters a diverse array of characters and reflects on his life, identity, and the complex layers of history embedded in the urban landscape. The protagonist's introspective journey intertwines his personal history with musings on culture, art, and the immigrant experience, revealing the multifaceted nature of his own consciousness and the city itself. As he delves into the depths of his memories and observations, the narrative becomes a poignant exploration of the intersections between the personal and the universal, the past and the present.

    The 8045th Greatest Book of All Time