Colonialism & Postcolonialism

With best-selling novels like Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible and influential academic texts such as Edward Said's Orientalism, this collection gathers books from across genres to explore the complex dynamics and lasting legacies of colonialism.

Antelope Woman

by Louise Erdrich

Publication year 1998

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Indigenous Identity, Memory, Femininity, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Race, The Past, Colonialism, Politics & Government, Beauty, Equality

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Historical Fiction

Antelope Woman is a novel by Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) author Louise Erdrich. First published in 1998 as The Antelope Wife, Erdrich revised and updated the text in 2012 and re-issued it, adding new content, storylines, and chapters. Like much of Erdrich’s other work, the novel is a multi-generational story of both Indigenous and white families set in and around traditional Ojibwe lands in North Dakota and Minnesota. Erdrich is known for her use of magical realism... Read Antelope Woman Summary

Anthills Of The Savannah

by Chinua Achebe

Publication year 1987

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Politics & Government, Power & Greed, Colonialism, Literature

Tags Satirical Literature, Historical Fiction, Colonialism & Postcolonialism, African Literature

Anthills of the Savannah (1987) is a postcolonial literary novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Achebe’s influence looms large not only over modern African literature but also over postcolonial fiction and theory; his African Trilogy, consisting of Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, and No Longer at Ease, is considered a modern classic. Achebe received multiple honors, including the Nigerian National Merit Award for intellectual achievement and the Man Booker International Prize for lifetime achievement... Read Anthills Of The Savannah Summary

A Passage to India

by E. M. Forster

Publication year 1924

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Religion & Spirituality, Race

Tags British Literature, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, World History

E. M. Forster’s A Passage to India, published in 1924, tells a story of the power of colonialism, the tension between spirituality and morality, and the inescapability of evil. Forster wrote this historical fiction novel after traveling to India in 1912 and volunteering in Egypt during World War I. A film adaptation of the novel directed by David Lean premiered in 1984 and received multiple Academy Award nominations. This summary uses the 75th Anniversary edition... Read A Passage to India Summary

A People’s History of the United States

by Howard Zinn

Publication year 1980

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Colonialism, Social Class, Immigration, Community, Economics, Hate & Anger, Perseverance, Conflict, Safety & Danger, Justice, Equality, Power & Greed

Tags US History, Politics & Government, Social Justice, Race & Racism, American Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States is one of the most famous American history books published in recent decades. It has sold over two million copies. First published in 1980, the book was nominated for the American Book Award and has gone through at least six major revisions. Although controversial when first published, the book has become comfortably mainstream. It is mentioned by name in the film Good Will Hunting and the... Read A People’s History of the United States Summary

Apple

by Eric Gansworth

Publication year 2020

Genre Memoir in Verse, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Coming of Age, Colonialism, Community, Indigenous Identity

Tags Race & Racism, Social Justice, LGBTQ+, Biography

... Read Apple Summary

A River in Darkness

by Masaji Ishikawa, Transl. Martin Brown, Transl. Risa Kobayashi

Publication year 2000

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Grief, Guilt, Loneliness, Regret, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Mental Health, Race, Childhood & Youth, Fathers, Social Class, Colonialism, Immigration, Politics & Government, Safety & Danger

Tags World History, Japanese Literature, Biography, Asian History, Politics & Government, Inspirational

... Read A River in Darkness Summary

A Small Place

by Jamaica Kincaid

Publication year 1988

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Politics & Government, Colonialism, Conflict, Hate & Anger, Social Class, Education, Economics, Truth & Lies, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Creative Nonfiction, Afro-Caribbean Literature, World History, Politics & Government, Black Lives Matter, Education, Education, Travel Literature, Classic Fiction

A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid is a work of creative nonfiction originally published in 1988. Kincaid shares memories of her home country, Antigua, both while it was under colonial rule and self-governance. She illustrates how life has and hasn’t changed for Antiguan citizens because of government corruption, the legacies of slavery, and the preoccupation with tourism over public welfare. Though the book won no awards, Kincaid has won a plethora of awards for her... Read A Small Place Summary

Augustown

by Kei Miller

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Family, Colonialism, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Race & Racism, World History, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Religion & Spirituality

... Read Augustown Summary

Awake

by Jen Hatmaker

Publication year 2025

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Marriage, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Grief, Hate & Anger, Hope, Joy, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Femininity, Midlife, Future, The Past, Daughters & Sons, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Equality, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Music, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Memoir & Autobiography, Relationships

... Read Awake Summary

Babylon's Ashes

by James S. A. Corey

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Hope, Revenge, Death, Future, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Economics, Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

... Read Babylon's Ashes Summary

Bad Indians

by Deborah A. Miranda

Publication year 2012

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Indigenous Identity, Colonialism, Memory, Perseverance, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Justice, Self Discovery, Nation, Community

Tags US History, Trauma & Abuse, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Depression & Suicide, Education, History of the Americas, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Women`s Studies, Education, World History, Biography

... Read Bad Indians Summary

Bel Canto

by Ann Patchett

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Indigenous Identity, Colonialism, Politics & Government

Tags Music, Historical Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Ann Patchett’s 2001 novel, Bel Canto, tells the alternately life-affirming and heart-wrenching story of a disparate group of people who are taken hostage in the Vice Presidential mansion of an unnamed South American country. The group has gathered to celebrate the birthday of Mr. Hosokawa, a Japanese businessman and passionate opera lover. Mr. Hosokawa has requested that Roxanne Coss, a renowned soprano from America, sing at his party. She is captivating, but at the end... Read Bel Canto Summary