The Sex Lives of African Women

De: Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah

Narrado por: Maria Gbeleyi Sara Powell Rachel Adedeji

Finalist for the 2023 AUDIE AWARDS® for Non-Fiction

A DOROTHY KOOMSON BOOK OF THE YEAR
AN ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEAR

'Such a beautiful read, like chatting to a friend over a cuppa. This is the intimate, insightful read that I didn't know I needed. Just brilliant.' Dorothy Koomson

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah spent decades talking openly and intimately to African women around the world about sex. In this book, she brings together their extraordinary stories, whilst also chronicling her own journey towards sexual freedom.

From finding queer community in Egypt to living a polyamorous life in Senegal to understanding the intersectionality of religion and pleasure in Cameroon, their necessary narratives are individual and illuminating. This stunning collection provides crucial insight into our quest for sexual power and offers all women inspirational examples to live a truly liberated life.

'Touching, joyful, defiant and honest.' Economist, Books of the Year 2021

'Fascinating.' Bernadine Evaristo

'Honest and moving. A vital treasure.' Bolu Babalola, author of Love in Colour

'Stunning. Essential read! I couldn't put it down.' Nicole Dennis-Benn, bestselling author of Patsy and Here Comes the Sun

'Leaves you feeling deliciously empowered.' Lola Shoneyin, author of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

'Boundary-breaking, fascinating and deeply affirming.' Otegha Uwagba, author of Little Black Book

(P)2022 Blackstone Publishing©2021 Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah

Reseñas de la Crítica

If you read Three Women and thought, "Where are all the non-white people?", this book has the answer

A boundary-breaking, fascinating and deeply affirming set of accounts that emphasises the necessity of allowing African women to tell the stories of their sexuality on their own terms (Otegha Uwagba)

Such a beautiful read, like chatting to a friend over a cuppa. This is the intimate, insightful read that I didn't know I needed. Just brilliant (Dorothy Koomson)

A captivating diasporic work of sensual geographies. Teeming with freedom and agency. Utterly triumphant (Irenosen Okojie)

A beautiful, delicate and sometimes brutal exploration of African Womanhood and sexuality, honest and moving. A vital treasure (Bolu Babalola)

Extraordinarily dynamic...Here is a book like none you will have read before. The women speak openly and invariably for the first time about their experiences of sex and relationships as they seek to claim individual agency, however that expresses itself. They share emotion-filled stories with honesty, addressing everyday personal dramas within the wider context in which self-worth and confidence are affected by racism and patriarchy, with revolution in the streets and revolution in the sheets being two sides of the same coin...With sensitivity, this book has facilitated astonishing breaking of silences (Margaret Busby)

I just didn't want it to end. Each and every story is unique, powerful ... A global, ambitious collection that hums with the author's love for the subject and her interviewees

These personal stories reveal a mind-blowing variety of sexualities, sex lives and relationships. Fascinating. (Bernardine Evaristo)

To hear these stories told with such agency shouldn't be a novelty, but the sheer fact of their existence makes this book truly important

Fantastically interesting and original (Francesca Beauman, author of The Literary Almanac)

Overflowing with candor, vulnerability, and juiciness, this collection of raw, tender stories that Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah has so lovingly gathered will upend all of your assumptions and stereotypes. These mothers, activists, writers, sex workers, and others share painful truths, evolving glories, and journeys toward love and freedom, in their own words. They are trans, queer, heterosexual, kinky, and say, 'To hell with labels.' Facing down dangers and double standards, they are healing. The Sex Lives of African Women captures the breadth and depth of the Diaspora with the intimacy of looking in a mirror. Marvelous! (Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies)

A deep dive into the lives of strong and beautiful women

This book was a deep dive into the lives of several women who opened themselves up in vulnerable situations at many times and spoke truth, which showed strength.

Loved it.

I loved the honesty of this book told through all the women's stories and vulnerability

Couldn’t recommend this enough

I found myself telling everyone to read this so we can discuss it! It’s so well written, perfect for a book club because every story makes you pause and think deeply about their life and decisions. I loved the last story especially that tied this all together so well. Grateful to every woman that shared their lives with us and wishing you all happiness ❤️

It is insightful

I had initially avoided delving into this book because I imagined I was walking into trauma. I picked it up after a friend stated that that was not the basis of the book. It's majorly a narration of the featured womens journey into their sexuality. It is insightful, some stories warm despite the circumstances of the narrator's situation...others heartbreaking. Overally I am glad to have given it a chance

Outstanding!!! 👌🏼

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Author did her research well and I am happy that it covered different perspectives and women from various countries. May it bring healing and freedom to those who need it.