On Black Sisters Street
272
Novel • Fiction
Belgium • Contemporary
2009
Adult
18+ years
On Black Sisters Street by Chika Unigwe follows four African women—Sisi, Efe, Ama, and Joyce—brought to Antwerp by Dele under false pretenses and forced into sex work to repay their debts. Living together in Antwerp's red-light district, they reveal their hidden pasts through a series of flashbacks after Sisi is mysteriously murdered, confronting their individual traumas and building solidarity. This book contains explicit descriptions of sexual violence and domestic abuse.
Dark
Mysterious
Emotional
Gritty
Melancholic
3,078 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Chika Unigwe's On Black Sisters Street has garnered positive critiques for its vivid storytelling and poignant portrayal of African women in the European sex industry, highlighting themes of displacement and survival. However, some found its pacing uneven. Overall, it is lauded for its emotional depth and compelling characters, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature.
A reader who would enjoy On Black Sisters Street by Chika Unigwe is likely drawn to contemporary African literature, explores themes of migration, identity, and resilience, and appreciates character-driven narratives. Fans of Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré will find this poignant and insightful.
3,078 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Chika Unigwe wrote On Black Sisters Street in Dutch before it was translated into English, reflecting her multilingual proficiency and the book's cross-cultural influence.
The novel is set in Belgium and draws attention to the often-overlooked lives of African women in the European diaspora, highlighting Unigwe's commitment to exploring themes of migration and identity.
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272
Novel • Fiction
Belgium • Contemporary
2009
Adult
18+ years
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