Award-winning Nigerian author Obinna Udenwe has announced his highly-anticipated fourth book.
It is titled “Years of Shame” and will be published by Nigerian indie publisher Purple Shelves in February 2025.
The acquisition of “Years of Shame” by Purple Shelves came with a price tag of N5 million, making it one of the most significant book deals in recent Nigerian literary publishing history. Udenwe initially hinted at the scale of the acquisition, describing it as “possibly the richest book acquisition by a Nigerian publisher in recent times” and later confirmed actually figures.
This kind of deal shows that Purple Shelves has confidence in Udenwe’s work. It also speaks to the growing investment in African literary voices by local publishers.
“Years of Shame” is the about Patrice Ikebe, a man who undertakes the ukpa ji-ukpa nwa—”a feared ritual oath that brings the loss of wealth and children.” This decision sets off a chain of consequences that spans generations, exploring power, culture, and the long shadow of human choices.
Udenwe, whose previous novel “Colours of Hatred” won The Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature in 2021, expressed excitement about working with Purple Shelves.
He described “Years of Shame” as one of his most personal works for how it is rooted deeply in the traditions of his Abakaliki heritage and the influence of Arochukwu culture in Igbo land.
Udenwe is glad about working with Purple Shelves: “Their love is unequaled by that of any publisher who had read and wanted to acquire this book and this makes it the more exciting.” Purple Shelves is based in Lagos.
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