Under the Udala Trees

Set in 1960s Nigeria, Under the Udala Trees is a work of historical fiction following the life of Ijeoma during and after the Nigerian Civil War. In 1968, 11-year-old Ijeoma is sent away from her home in Ojoto for safety, as detailed in Kirkus Reviews. While displaced, she enters a powerful love affair with another refugee girl from a different ethnic community. The narrative explores the consequences of their relationship as they navigate social taboos and prejudices in a conservative society, eventually seeking a future based on truth and love.

Chinelo Okparanta is a Nigerian-American author who focuses on the intersection of identity, sexuality, and culture. According to Wikipedia, her literary work, including Happiness Like Water and Harry Sylvester Bird, champions the stories of the LGBTQ community and people of color through both insider and outsider perspectives.

The novel is written in a style of literary realism that integrates elements of Nigerian folklore, as noted by SuperSummary. Critical reception has been generally positive, with praise for its lyrical prose and the structural approach to its themes. The book was recognized as a Lambda Literary Award winner.