Benjamin Kwakye

The Other Crucifix (2010)
An epic novel on the African immigrant experience.

Legacy of Phantoms (publication pending)
Legacy of Phantoms narrates the internal battles of the twin Kakra as he struggles to come to terms with a past so jarring he is able to recall its details in a disjointed and piecemeal manner only. It entails intense sibling rivalry that flirts with fratricide, shocking betrayals, joy and pain, and triumph and failure. As his memory negotiates this complex terrain and as he relives past experiences, Kakra comes to the realization that he must embrace the past in order to assert control over his future. In language at once poetic and accessible, Legacy of Phantoms offers a tale that stands as a powerful metaphor of Africa’s socio-political past and present.

The Sun by Night
The novel unravels the secrets surrounding the death of a prostitute. Framed around a court case, it is a gripping tale of murder, courtroom shenanigans, and intense conflicts. It explores familial and traditional commitments, individual freedom, marriage, love, and class exploitation to weave an enduring tapestry of great human value.

The Clothes of Nakedness
Into a poor, if jovial, world of a group of friends descends the intriguing and dapper Mystique Mysterious bearing attractive offers of a better life. Embracing him is to fall prey to his diabolical machinations; however, those that dare challenge or ignore him do so at their own peril. Faced with seemingly impossible choices, each character must struggle to contend with forces that seem out of human control and endeavor to carve out his or her own destiny. With the flora and fauna of Accra as its backdrop, The Clothes of Nakedness examines the complexities of human interactions and, in the process, offers a gritty expose of relations between rich and poor in modern Ghana.

Lyrics of Lions
A fantastic tale of Kobi the Magician and his twin brother Paa Quartey.

The Fool's Tomatoes
On its face a tale of familial tension, this story illustrates the lurking power of those whose influence we allow to overwhelm our judgment.