35 pages 1 hour read

Ayi Kwei Armah

The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1969

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Ayi Kwei Armah's The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born is widely praised for its evocative prose and stark portrayal of post-independence Ghana. Critics commend its vivid imagery and unflinching social critique, though some find its pessimistic tone overwhelming. Readers appreciate its raw honesty but note its dense, challenging narrative.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born?

Readers who appreciate stark, post-colonial literature will find Ayi Kwei Armah's The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born compelling. Fans of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's A Grain of Wheat will enjoy its critique of corruption and existential despair in post-independence Ghana.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Period
Heinemann African Writers
Colonialism / Postcolonialism
Genre
Historical Fiction
Classic Fiction
Satire
Topics
Poverty
Themes
Society: Colonialism
Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Society: Politics & Government