Picture a Nigerian storyteller who turned a tale of sisterly loyalty and dark humor into a global sensation—meet Oyinkan Braithwaite! Born in Lagos in 1988, this Nigerian-British author burst onto the literary scene with her debut novel, My Sister, the Serial Killer, a thrilling mix of crime, comedy, and cultural insight that’s as sharp as a knife. With her unique voice, Braithwaite has redefined contemporary African literature, blending wit and suspense in a way that captivates readers worldwide.
The Making of Oyinkan Braithwaite
Oyinkan Braithwaite’s journey began in Lagos, Nigeria, where she was born and raised before moving to Southgate, London, during her childhood. This back-and-forth between Nigeria and the UK shaped her perspective, infusing her writing with a vibrant cultural duality. She studied law and creative writing at the University of Surrey and Kingston University, honing her craft with a keen eye for storytelling. After returning to Lagos in 2012, Braithwaite worked as an assistant editor at Kachifo Limited, a Nigerian publishing house, and as a production manager at Ajapa World, an education and entertainment company. Her early forays into poetry and spoken word, including a top-ten finish in the 2014 Eko Poetry Slam, set the stage for her literary rise.
Oyinkan Braithwaite’s Unforgettable Stories
Braithwaite’s breakout novel, My Sister, the Serial Killer (2018), is a darkly comedic thriller set in Lagos. It follows Korede, a nurse who cleans up after her beautiful, possibly sociopathic sister Ayoola, who has a habit of killing her boyfriends. Originally published as an e-book titled Thicker Than Water in 2017, the novel’s biting wit and concise prose earned it global acclaim, including a Booker Prize longlisting and the 2019 LA Times Award for Best Crime Thriller. Braithwaite’s style is lean and lethal, with short, punchy chapters that blend noir, satire, and social commentary on beauty, family, and Nigerian society.
Beyond her debut, Braithwaite has penned short stories for publications like McSweeney’s and Amazon’s Hush Collection. Her 2020 novella, The Baby Is Mine, explores family dynamics and betrayal with her signature sharp humor, while Treasure delves into societal pressures in Nigeria. Each work showcases her ability to tackle heavy themes—sibling loyalty, gender roles, and morality—with a light, engaging touch that keeps readers hooked.
Why Oyinkan Braithwaite Matters
Oyinkan Braithwaite’s impact lies in her fearless experimentation within African literature. By blending crime, humor, and social critique, she’s expanded the boundaries of Nigerian storytelling, moving beyond traditional literary fiction into genres like noir and thriller. Her work resonates globally ‘globally, translated into over 30 languages, and her influence inspires a new generation of African writers to explore diverse genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and crime. Braithwaite’s Lagos, vivid and chaotic, becomes a character in her stories, grounding her tales in a setting that feels both universal and distinctly Nigerian. Her success has also spotlighted Nigerian women authors, alongside peers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Ayobami Adebayo, amplifying diverse voices in global literature.
- Born: 1988 in Lagos, Nigeria
- Key Works: My Sister, the Serial Killer (2018), The Baby Is Mine (2020), Treasure
- Awards: 2019 LA Times Award for Best Crime Thriller, 2019 Anthony Award for Best First Novel, Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019 shortlist
- Fun Fact: Braithwaite sketched the cover art for the Nigerian edition of My Sister, the Serial Killer.
Ready for a thrilling ride? Snag My Sister, the Serial Killer and dive into Oyinkan Braithwaite’s wickedly funny world of crime and comedy!