Namwali Serpell
5 books
About the Author
Namwali Serpell is an acclaimed Zambian author and scholar whose work explores the intricate tapestries of African history, identity, and the supernatural through a lens of innovative storytelling. Born in Lusaka and raised between Zambia and the United States, Serpell draws from her multidisciplinary background in literature, film, and philosophy to craft narratives that challenge colonial legacies and envision alternative futures. Her debut novel, The Old Drift: A Novel, a sweeping multigenerational saga set along the Zambezi River, earned her the 2019 Caine Prize for African Writing and wide critical acclaim for its lush prose and bold ambition. As a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Serpell continues to influence contemporary literature with her incisive essays and short stories published in outlets like Granta and The New Yorker.
Common genres
Writing style
lyrical
ambitious
multilayered
Books by Namwali Serpell
