A Noirist Analysis of An African Work: Oyinkan Braithwaite's My Sister the Serial Killer

Background: While most West African novels continue to be read within realist or socio-political frames, the application of genre fiction is limited. Genre fiction is necessary for the evolution of African literature, so its inclusion allows for new modes of storytelling that challenge dominant narratives, expand thematic possibilities, and engage diverse readerships and analysis. To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, there are no scholarly papers analysing a West African novel for its genre elements.

Objective: This paper examines a novel written by a West African author and set in West Africa, identifying its use of genre fiction elements. It aims to analyse the text to determine whether it can be classified as noir, the researcher’s favourite subgenre of the thriller.

Method: This study employs a close reading of various West African novels alongside scholarly analyses of them. Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer is chosen for containing more noirish features, compared to other West African works. This study uses qualitative content analysis to assess whether the novel fits within the noir tradition.

Results: Although the story presents a morally ambiguous worldview and features elements of noir’s cynicism and darkness, it ultimately lacks the stylistic grit and bleak urban realism characteristic of classic noir. Instead, it aligns more closely with psychological domestic fiction or literary crime fiction.

Conclusion: This study concludes that Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer is not noir fiction. However, it has noirish characteristics, and is classified as literary crime fiction.

Key Recommendation: It is time to broaden the scope of West African literature by embracing greater diversity in language, style, and thematic focus. This expansion would complement, rather than replace, existing traditions, encouraging writers to explore new avenues such as entertainment, experimentation, and genre innovation.