The Recommended Reading Order for Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani has written two distinct, award-winning novels. Because her books are standalone stories with completely different characters, settings, and tones, there is no strict narrative continuity to worry about. However, for the best reading experience, we recommend reading them in publication order. This sequence allows you to transition from her lighter, satirical debut to her more intense, emotionally demanding second novel.
- I Do Not Come to You by Chance (2009) – Start here to experience Nwaubani's signature wit, dark humor, and sharp satire of contemporary economic struggles.
- Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree (2018) – Follow up with this deeply moving, poetic young adult novel that addresses the human cost of conflict and terrorism.
1. I Do Not Come to You by Chance (2009)
Originally published in 2009 by Hyperion in the United States and Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the United Kingdom, Nwaubani's debut novel is a brilliant satire focusing on the world of Nigerian email scams, also known as "419" scams. Inspired by the humor of P.G. Wodehouse and the bittersweet reality of Frank McCourt's memoirs, Nwaubani sought to write a Nigerian story that addresses serious socio-economic issues without resorting to a somber or depressing tone.
The Plot and Characters
The story follows Kingsley Ibe, a first-class engineering graduate who finds himself unable to secure a job in Nigeria. As the first son (the opara), he faces immense pressure to provide for his widowed mother and younger siblings. Out of desperation, Kingsley turns to his wealthy, flamboyant uncle, Boniface—famously known as "Cash Daddy"—who runs a highly lucrative internet scam syndicate. Through Kingsley's descent into this murky underworld, the novel explores themes of familial duty, moral compromise, greed, and the systemic corruption that drives educated youth to criminal extremes.
Awards and Film Adaptation
I Do Not Come to You by Chance was widely praised by critics, winning the 2010 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book (Africa) and the Betty Trask First Book Award. In 2023, the novel was adapted into a feature film directed by Ishaya Bako, starring Paul Nnadiekwe as Kingsley and Blossom Chukwujekwu as Cash Daddy. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2023 to critical acclaim.
2. Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree (2018)
Nwaubani's second novel, published in 2018 by HarperCollins, is a powerful piece of young adult historical fiction that takes a dramatic departure from the satirical tone of her debut. Based on extensive, real-life interviews that Nwaubani conducted with girls who survived abductions by Boko Haram, the novel is designed to humanize the news headlines surrounding the Chibok schoolgirl kidnappings.
The Plot and Characters
The novel is narrated by a bright, unnamed teenage girl who lives in northeastern Nigeria. Her family calls her "Ya Ta" (meaning "my daughter" in Hausa). She is a talented student who dreams of winning a government scholarship to attend university. However, her dreams are shattered when her village is raided by the terrorist group Boko Haram. Abducted alongside other girls, she is taken deep into the forest and forced to convert to Islam, where she is given the name "Salamatu" (meaning "safety"). The narrative follows her grueling survival and the psychological toll of her captivity, presenting an empathetic and unforgettable look at the resilience of the human spirit.
Awards and Collaborations
The book includes an afterword by Italian journalist Viviana Mazza, who helped bring international journalistic depth to the project. Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree won the 2018 Raven Award for Excellence in Arts and Entertainment and was selected as one of the American Library Association's (ALA) Best Fiction for Young Adults.
From Satire to Survival: Comparing the Novels
While both novels are set in contemporary Nigeria and address structural societal challenges, they differ significantly in style, audience, and emotional weight:
- Tone: I Do Not Come to You by Chance is satirical, humorous, and dialogue-driven, while Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree is written in a poetic, spare, and deeply emotional first-person prose style.
- Target Audience: Her debut is aimed at general adult fiction readers, whereas her second book is classified as Young Adult (YA) fiction, making it accessible to teenage readers while remaining profoundly impactful for adults.
- Themes: The first novel tackles economic survival, cybercrime, and family obligation, while the second focuses on religious extremism, abduction, trauma, and personal identity.
What to Know Before You Start: Reading Tips
Because these books are standalones, you can read them in any order you choose. However, readers should be prepared for the stark difference in intensity. Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree deals with heavy themes, including violence and captivity, which may be distressing for some readers. In contrast, I Do Not Come to You by Chance offers a lighter, more comical gateway into Nwaubani's writing style, making it the ideal starting point for readers new to her work.