Picture a British-born storyteller who weaves the haunting tapestry of the American South—meet Afia Atakora! With her debut novel, Conjure Women, Atakora has captivated readers with her lush prose and vivid historical fiction, earning her a place among rising literary stars. Her unique perspective, shaped by her transatlantic roots and deep research, brings forgotten voices to life in a way that feels both timeless and urgent.
The Making of Afia Atakora
Born in the United Kingdom to Ghanaian parents, Afia Atakora moved to New Jersey, where she was raised and still resides. Her multicultural upbringing, steeped in Ghanaian folklore like Anansi the trickster tales, sparked a lifelong fascination with storytelling. At New York University, she honed her craft, later earning an MFA from Columbia University, where she received the prestigious De Alba Fellowship. This blend of academic rigor and cultural heritage set the stage for her literary journey, fueled by a curiosity about history and identity.
Afia Atakora’s Unforgettable Stories
Atakora’s debut, Conjure Women, published in 2020, is a spellbinding historical novel set in the American South before and after the Civil War. The story follows Miss May Belle, a healer and midwife, her daughter Rue, and Varina, the plantation owner’s daughter, weaving a non-linear narrative of slavery, freedom, and generational trauma. Atakora’s prose, described as 'lush' and 'poetic,' draws heavily on African Diaspora oral histories, slave narratives, and botanical research, creating a vivid Southern Gothic tale. Her work has been compared to Toni Morrison’s Beloved for its emotional depth and historical resonance.
While Conjure Women remains her only published novel to date, Atakora has hinted at a forthcoming project set during the Harlem Renaissance, promising to explore new facets of Black history and culture. Her writing style—rich with folklore, complex characters, and moral ambiguity—captivates readers, offering a fresh lens on the complexities of race, womanhood, and resilience. Her meticulous research, including Works Progress Administration slave narratives, ensures authenticity, making her stories both educational and immersive.
Why Afia Atakora Matters
Afia Atakora’s impact lies in her ability to humanize history’s overlooked voices, particularly Black women navigating unimaginable challenges. Conjure Women has been praised by critics, earning accolades like the Society of American Historians Prize and nominations for the Pushcart Prize and Hurston/Wright Award. Her work resonates with readers seeking stories that bridge past and present, reflecting on issues like racial justice and personal legacy. By centering midwives and healers, Atakora reclaims narratives of Black resilience, making her a vital voice in contemporary historical fiction.
- Born: United Kingdom, to Ghanaian parents
- Key Work: Conjure Women (2020)
- Awards: De Alba Fellowship, Pushcart Prize nominee, Hurston/Wright Award finalist
- Education: NYU, MFA from Columbia University
Ready to step into the haunting world of Conjure Women? Snag a copy and dive into Afia Atakora’s mesmerizing historical fiction—you won’t look at the past the same way again!