44 pages 1 hour read

Ama Ata Aidoo

Our Sister Killjoy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1977

A 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

Roundup icon

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

Roundup icon

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 this

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Gender / Feminism

Education

Genre

African Literature

Education

African American Literature

Period

Colonialism / Postcolonialism

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness

Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride