The Biography of Sarah Ladipo Manyika and List of Her Books
Sarah Ladipo Manyika is a celebrated British-Nigerian writer, academic, and literary advocate whose work explores themes of identity, migration, aging, and the African diaspora. Born in Nigeria to a Nigerian father and a British mother, she grew up in Lagos and Jos and spent parts of her youth in Kenya, France, and the United Kingdom. This rich cultural background shaped both her worldview and her writing. She studied at the University of Birmingham and the University of Bordeaux, and later earned a PhD in Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.
Her first novel, In Dependence (2008), is a sweeping post-colonial love story between a Nigerian man and a British woman. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s independence and political transformation, the novel explores themes of race, ideology, and cultural displacement. It became a bestseller, widely read across African schools and universities. Her second novel, Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun (2016), is an intimate and thoughtful portrayal of a 74-year-old Nigerian woman living in San Francisco. The book, praised for its sensitive treatment of aging, memory, and solitude, was the first African novel to be shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize.
Beyond fiction, Manyika is also known for her nonfiction work. In 2022, she published Between Starshine and Clay: Conversations from the African Diaspora, a collection of interviews with influential figures including Toni Morrison, Michelle Obama, and Wole Soyinka. Her essays, profiles, and short stories have appeared in notable platforms such as Granta, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and OZY, and she has contributed to major anthologies like New Daughters of Africa and African Love Stories.
Deeply involved in the literary community, she has served as board chair of Hedgebrook, a writers’ residency for women, and was a board member at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco. She has judged several prestigious literary prizes, including the Etisalat Prize, the Goldsmiths Prize, the Aspen Words Literary Prize, and the California Book Awards. Her work has earned her wide recognition, including being named one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine in 2022, and being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023.
Sarah Ladipo Manyika is married to James Manyika, and they divide their time between San Francisco, London, and Harare. Whether through her writing, teaching, or community engagement, she continues to be a powerful voice in contemporary literature, bridging African and global experiences with elegance, depth, and humanity.
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List of Sarah Manyika Books/ Novels
Sarah Manyika has written plenty of novels, short stories, and many other literary books of different sorts, and here’s the list of most notable of them:
1. In Dependence (2008)
This is a love story set in the 1960s between Tayo, a Nigeria,n sthisnt who goes to Oxford University, and Vanessa, a white British woman. Their relationship is full of challenges, especially because of racism, cultural differences, and political changes happening in Nigeria and Britain. The novel explores colonialism, identity, love, and what it means to belong. As time passes, both characters must choose between love and duty to their countries and values.
It became very popular in Africa and was used as a literary text in schools.
2. Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun (2016)
This story follows Morayo Da Silva, a 74-year-old Nigerian woman living alone in San Francisco, USA. She is full of life, independent, and loves poetry and fast cars. However, when she has an unexpected fall, her life begins to change. The novel explores aging, memory, loneliness, and resilience, showing that even in old age, people still dream, hope, and matter.
The book was praised internationally and was the first African novel shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize.
3. Between Starshine and Clay: Conversations from the African Diaspora (2022)
This is a collection of real-life interviews and conversations with important Black figures from around the world, including Toni Morrison, Michelle Obama, Wole Soyinka, and Claudia Rankine. Sarah asks deep, thoughtful questions about identity, race, culture, activism, and creativity. Each conversation gives insight into the lives and thoughts of these global icons.
The book celebrates Black voices and shows the different ways people of African descent have shaped the world.