''Becoming Abigail'' is a 2006 novella by
Nigerian
Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was derived from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jo ...
writer
Chris Abani
Christopher Abani (born 27 December 1966) is a Nigerian American author. He says he is part of a new generation of Nigerian writers working to convey to an English-speaking audience the experience of those born and raised in "that troubled Afr ...
.
Plot
''Becoming Abigail'' shares the story of Abigail, a young Nigerian girl whose mother died at childbirth. Her father commits suicide after raising her up. She travels to London with Peter where she finds out that she is alone and that she does not exist.
Reception and recognition
*A ''
New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'' Editor's Choice.
*A ''
Chicago Reader
The ''Chicago Reader'', or ''Reader'' (stylized as ЯEADER), is an American alternative newspaper in Chicago, Illinois, noted for its literary style of journalism and coverage of the arts, particularly film and theater. The ''Reader'' has been ...
'' Critic's Choice.
*A selection of the ''
Essence Magazine
''Essence'' (stylized in all caps) is an American monthly lifestyle magazine covering fashion, beauty, entertainment, and culture. First published in 1970, the magazine is written for African-American women.
History
Edward Lewis, Clarence O ...
'' Book Club.
*A selection of the Black Expressions Book Club on
National Public Radio
National Public Radio (NPR) is an American public broadcasting organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It serves as a national Radio syndication, syndicator to a network of more ...
.
*A
New York Public Library Books For Teens Selection.
*Finalist,
PEN/Beyond Margins Award.
References
2006 Nigerian novels
Nigerian novellas
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