The Lion and the Jewel (1963) stands as one of Soyinka’s earliest plays and among the first to be staged in Africa. More lighthearted than Death and the King’s Horseman, it explores cultural conflicts through the story of a rivalry between a schoolteacher and the village chief. As they vie for the affection of a beautiful woman, they debate the merits of tradition versus modernity.

Ake: The Years of Childhood (1981) is the second volume of Soyinka’s memoirs. Selected by the New York Times as one of the twelve best books of 1982, it recounts the first decade of his life. Despite being a prodigy who began school at three and taught by ten, Soyinka’s gentle, self-deprecating humor makes the book charming rather than boastful.

The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts (1994) by Baba Ifa Karade offers clear and straightforward explanations of Yoruba beliefs and rituals. The book is not intended to convert readers, but to demystify the traditions, making them accessible to those interested in practicing or understanding them. Karade also highlights the similarities and differences between Yoruba and other spiritual traditions.

The Palm-Wine Drinkard (1953) by Amos Tutuola is a novel about a dedicated West African drinker who embarks on a series of imaginative adventures. Tutuola crafted this humorous and dreamlike narrative from traditional Yoruba folktales.

Things Fall Apart (1958) is the debut and most widely read novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Through the story of Okonkwo, a member of the Ibo tribe, it portrays the transformations in village life caused by the arrival of colonialism and Christianity. Okonkwo is a multifaceted character, not merely a victim of colonialism; his downfall is driven by both internal and external forces.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, written around 1601 by William Shakespeare, is one of the most renowned tragedies in literature. Prince Hamlet, the son of the recently murdered king, is urged by his father’s ghost to avenge his death. Hamlet’s inability to carry out this duty results in chaos and death for himself and many of those around him.