Magical Realism in West African Fiction

This academic study offers a sophisticated exploration of how magical realism manifests in West African literature, specifically through the groundbreaking works of Syl Cheney-Coker, Ben Okri, and Kojo Laing. Brenda Cooper situates these authors within broader postcolonial debates and global magical realism traditions, creating a vital bridge between West African fiction and the works of internationally recognized figures like Gabriel García Márquez and Salman Rushdie. The analysis provides a focused lens on how this literary genre is uniquely adapted and transformed within the cultural and political landscapes of Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Ghana.

What distinguishes this work is its commitment to contextual specificity, moving beyond generic definitions to reveal the distinct political and cultural work magical realism performs in a West African framework. Literature students and readers with a serious interest in postcolonial theory will find the comparative analysis particularly illuminating, as it clarifies both the regional particularities and global conversations within this vibrant literary mode. The book ultimately succeeds in mapping a crucial literary territory, demonstrating how West African authors have not merely adopted but reinvented magical realism to articulate their unique historical experiences and imaginative visions.