Postcolonial literature encompasses works from formerly colonized regions, exploring commonalities across diverse cultures. The definition is complex, considering writers from previously occupied nations and examining geography, history, and liberation politics. Rather than a rigid historical or geographical classification, postcolonialism is viewed as a method focusing on the liberatory politics of oppressed peoples.

This perspective challenges artificial national borders and provides crucial insights into the present politics, making postcolonial literature and theory valuable tools for understanding and addressing the legacies of colonialism.

Here are five of the best postcolonial novels.  

Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih

Upon returning to Sudan from studies in Europe during the 1960s, a youthful Sudanese storyteller feels ready to aid his newly independent homeland. During this time, he meets Mustafa Sa'eed; the man unveils a history filled with chaos back in London, boasting a career crowned with success and ending lives of European loves. After this startling reveal, Mustafa vanishes. His exit thrusts the narrator into turmoil - a clash between African roots and European influence, old ways versus new methods.

Through its narrative, the book delves deep into notions such as selfhood and colonial power play while weaving cultures intricately together. Celebrated as an Arab literary masterpiece from the 20th century, it echoes loudly with tales of postcolonial life's vast echo. 

Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo

Juan Preciado embarks on a ghostly search in Comala. His mother's final wish led him there to seek out Pedro Páramo, his estranged father. In this town - alive with murmurs and apparitions - memories blend with visions. Under the harsh rule of the Páramos, voices of anguished souls drift through its lanes; they share tales once buried deep. 

Crafted by Juan Rulfo and released in 1955, this tale strays from the typical Latin American narrative style. Its mix of sharp scenes, genuine feelings, and mysterious enchantments defines magical realism.

With its 1955 debut, Rulfo's narrative broke free from Latin America's staunch realist roots. He crafted a tapestry blending vivid tableau with raw sentiment underpinned by otherworldly charm-magical realism was born - and would guide authors like Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Carlos Fuentes in their storytelling ventures.

READ ALSO: The Best Black Art Books of 2023: Celebrating Diversity and Creativity

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

In the book, a judge, sour from life's trials, hoped for quiet days in Mount Kanchenjunga within the grand Himalayas. Yet his peace shatters when Sai, his orphaned granddaughter, enters the scene. Meanwhile, the judge's cook - mind far off - mulls over Biju, his son toiling hard in distant New York eateries. Here unfolds a narrative woven with threads both bright and dark.

The narrative explores the consequences of colonialism colliding with the modern world through the characters' poignant choices in a crumbling, isolated house. Desai skillfully weaves a tale that received widespread praise for its depth and insight.

In the Castle of My Skin by George Lamming

George Lamming lays bare life on a small Caribbean island. His words craft a sharp image: joy in simple days versus the twentieth century's rush for more. This work, born from his past, holds up as a gem even after decades. Here stands a tale steeped in the Black colonial tale - a true classic that still echoes with truth and heartache.

Crafting an autobiographical novel with finesse, Lamming gives us scenes rich with carefree island vibes clashing against worldly wants and fears. Penned nearly 40 years ago, its prose rings just as clear today; such is the power of this landmark narrative about Black lives under foreign rule.

Written when Lamming was 23, the book follows his experiences from age nine to nineteen, providing insights into colonial education, class tensions, and natural disasters. The narrative is mediated through the eyes of a young boy, interpreting the evolving world through encounters with old villagers and friends leaving for the mainland. 

The Parisian by Isabella Hammad

Isabella Hammad's debut novel focuses on a thrilling plot against the background of Palestinian history. While the son of a wealthy merchant in Nablus, Midhat Kamal journeys to France for medical studies during World War I and experiences love. It is in the final Nablus period, this time under British control and during a nationalist fever, that Midhat's inner contradictions are exposed.

The novel connects the specific story of Midhat with larger regional movements for self-determination by addressing issues of power, identity, and lasting love in a historical context that includes political change throughout the Middle East. With her luxurious and sensual narration, Hammad distinguishes herself as an exceptional newcomer to the literature genre. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Lessons on War and Justice