When you fall in love with a TV show, sometimes you want to keep the vibe going with a great book that captures similar themes, moods, or storytelling styles. African literature offers a rich, diverse world of stories that resonate deeply with many beloved foreign series, from supernatural thrillers and intense crime dramas to thoughtful explorations of family and society.

Below are six carefully curated pairings: popular foreign shows matched with African books that echo their spirit, tone, or themes. Whether you’re craving magical realism, dark humor, or raw emotional depth, these pairings will open new worlds while keeping that familiar spark alive.

1. If you like Stranger Things, read The Famished Road by Ben Okri

Image Credit: Rakuten Kobo

About the show:
Stranger Things is a thrilling supernatural drama set in the 1980s small town of Hawkins, Indiana. When a young boy mysteriously disappears, his friends embark on a perilous journey that uncovers secret government experiments and a terrifying alternate dimension called the Upside Down. The show masterfully blends elements of horror, adventure, friendship, and nostalgia, weaving emotional depth with suspenseful storytelling.

About the book:
The Famished Road is a Booker Prize-winning novel by Nigerian author Ben Okri. It follows Azaro, a spirit-child caught between the earthly realm and the spirit world. Navigating poverty, political unrest, and mystical forces, Azaro’s journey is a rich allegory for post-colonial Nigerian society. The novel is renowned for its lyrical prose, blending magical realism with deep philosophical questions about life, death, and destiny.

Reviews:

• Stranger Things: Holds a strong critical acclaim with over 90% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its nostalgic charm and compelling characters.

• The Famished Road:3.7/5 stars on Goodreads from 13,000+ readers, celebrated for its poetic storytelling and unique narrative style.
  
  

2. If you like Breaking Bad, read My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Image Credit: Book Peddler

About the show:
Breaking Bad chronicles the transformation of Walter White, a mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher who turns to manufacturing methamphetamine after a cancer diagnosis. The series explores themes of morality, desperation, and the consequences of choices, with intense character development and a gripping plot that delves into the dark underbelly of crime and family loyalty.

About the book:
My Sister, the Serial Killer is a darkly humorous thriller from Nigeria, centered on Korede and her beautiful sister Ayoola, who has a deadly pattern of killing her boyfriends. As Korede grapples with her loyalty and morality, the novel explores themes of familial obligation, gender dynamics, and the complexities of right and wrong. The sharp prose and fast-paced narrative make this a compelling read that blends crime fiction with social commentary.

Reviews:

• Breaking Bad: 96% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes; hailed as one of television’s best dramas for its storytelling and depth.

• My Sister, the Serial Killer: 3.6/5 stars on Goodreads with over 330,000+ ratings; lauded for its wit, unique premise, and tight narrative.
  
  

3. If you like The Crown, read The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka

Image Credit: The Ready Writers

About the show:
The Crown is a lavish historical drama that chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, examining political intrigue, family dynamics, and the personal sacrifices of leadership. The show offers a rich portrayal of the British monarchy and the complexities of power, duty, and identity in the modern world.

About the book:
The Lion and the Jewel is a seminal Nigerian play by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka that explores the tensions between tradition and modernity in a rural Nigerian village. The story revolves around Sidi, the village belle, and the competing affections of the schoolteacher and the village chief. Through humor and sharp social critique, the play addresses themes of cultural change, gender roles, and power structures in post-colonial Africa.

Reviews:

• The Crown: Consistently praised with about 90% fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes for its production values and acting.
  

• The Lion and the Jewel: Widely studied and respected as a classic African drama, it has a 3.78/5 rating on Goodreads, and nearly 2000 ratings.
  
  

4. If you like Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), read The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin

Image Credit: Goodreads

About the show:
Money Heistis a high-octane Spanish crime thriller that follows a group of robbers led by the enigmatic Professor as they attempt to pull off an elaborate heist on the Royal Mint of Spain. The series is known for its complex characters, emotional depth, and intricate plotting, weaving suspense with explorations of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice.

About the book:
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is a provocative Nigerian novel that delves into the polygamous household of Baba Segi, a wealthy man with four wives. Each wife navigates her own secrets, ambitions, and survival strategies in a household rife with power struggles and cultural expectations. The novel is a sharp, witty exploration of gender, and societal norms, packed with unexpected twists and rich characterization.

Reviews:

• Money Heist: Approximately 94% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its suspenseful storytelling and character complexity.
  

• The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives: 4/5 stars on Goodreads with over 13,000 ratings; acclaimed for its incisive humor and cultural insight.
  
  

5. If you like Black Mirror, read Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

Image Credit: Amazon

About the show:
Black Mirror is an anthology series that presents dystopian tales examining the dark and often unsettling consequences of modern technology on society and human nature. Each episode poses provocative ethical dilemmas and social critiques through inventive storytelling and atmospheric tension.

About the book:
Zoo City is a genre-bending novel set in a near-future Johannesburg where people who have committed crimes become magically bonded to animal familiars. The protagonist, Zinzi December, is a detective navigating the city’s underworld while grappling with her own past. The novel combines elements of urban fantasy, crime thriller, and social commentary, painting a vivid picture of identity, redemption, and survival.

Reviews:

• Black Mirror: Critically lauded with 83% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes; praised for originality and depth.
  

• Zoo City: 3.6/5 stars on Goodreads from 11,000+ readers; celebrated for its inventive premise, gripping plot, and rich world-building.
  
  

6. If you like The Bear, read Welcome to Lagos by Chibundu Onuzo

Image Credit: Good Reads

About the show:
The Bear captures the intense, chaotic world inside a small, family-run Chicago restaurant kitchen. It explores the pressures of high-stakes culinary work alongside raw emotional struggles involving trauma, grief, and strained family relationships. The show is lauded for its authenticity, complex characters, and emotional depth.

About the book:
Welcome to Lagos follows a diverse group of individuals fleeing violence, hardship, and broken lives as they journey to Nigeria’s largest city, hoping to start anew. The novel explores themes of survival, hope, community, and resilience amid the dangers and unpredictability of urban life. It offers a vivid portrayal of Lagos and the human capacity to rebuild and find connection in adversity, echoing The Bear’s emotional intensity and themes of survival under pressure.

Reviews:

• The Bear: Praised for its raw, realistic depiction of kitchen life and multifaceted characters.
  

• Welcome to Lagos: 3.78/5 stars on Goodreads with over 4,000 ratings; admired for its emotional resonance and vivid storytelling.
  
  

Final Notes

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