44 pages • 1 hour read
Ama Ata AidooOur Sister Killjoy
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1977A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Our Sister Killjoy, Ama Ata Aidoo tells the story of Sissie, a young Ghanaian woman who travels across Europe, mainly staying in Germany and visiting England. She befriends a German mother named Marija but grapples with feelings of alienation and frustration as she confronts racial stereotypes and challenges post-colonial attitudes within the African diaspora. The book reflects on the complexities of African identity and the pressures faced by Africans abroad. It includes discussions of race and anti-gay bias.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ama Ata Aidoo's Our Sister Killjoy is praised for its poetic prose and deep exploration of post-colonial African identity. Readers admire the vivid cultural insights and the protagonist's strong voice. However, some critics find the non-linear narrative challenging and the thematic depth occasionally overwhelming. Overall, it's an eloquent and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Our Sister Killjoy?
Readers who relish Our Sister Killjoy by Ama Ata Aidoo typically appreciate narratives exploring postcolonial identity, African diaspora experiences, and feminist themes. Fans of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of Motherhood will find this book similarly compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Gender / Feminism
African Literature
Colonialism / Postcolonialism
Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness
Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride