The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa – Stephen Buoro

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa by Stephen Buoro is a bold and thought-provoking coming-of-age novel that explores identity, religion, colonial history, and unfulfilled dreams through the eyes of a teenage boy in Nigeria.

Andy Aziza, a sixteen-year-old mathematics prodigy and aspiring poet, is obsessed with Western culture—superhero comics, American pop music, and white women. Growing up in Northern Nigeria, he wrestles with his mixed feelings toward his African identity, his Catholic faith, and the societal expectations placed upon him. His world shifts dramatically when he falls for Eileen, the white daughter of a visiting priest, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of post-colonial Africa, political instability, and his own sense of self-worth.

With humor, intellect, and poetic brilliance, Buoro weaves a story that captures the turbulence of adolescence while tackling deep socio-political themes. A fresh and electrifying debut, The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa is a powerful meditation on love, faith, race, and the search for belonging in a world that often feels divided.