Chika Unigwe was born in Nigeria and now lives in Belgium with her husband and four children. She is an award-winning short story writer and the author of two novels, written in Dutch. On Black Sisters' Street was published by Jonathan Cape in 2009.
An important and accomplished novel that leaves a strong aftertaste. Unigwe gives voice to those who are voiceless, fleshes out the stories of those who offer themselves as meat for sale, and bestows dignity on those who are stripped off it. * Independent * This powerful book will leave you haunted -- Ali Smith On Black Sisters' Street is ultimately a story of female strength and resilience... the book draws on a rich oral story telling tradition to illuminate the West from an under-represented perspective * Aesthetica * This harrowing subject matter is handled deftly by Unigwe, with lyrical insight and splashes of dark humour, in a book that is both thought-provoking and eye-opening -- Doug Johnstone * The List * Lively and engaging...Unigwe has a good ear for idiosyncratic language...On Black Sisters' Street is a pleasure to read: fast-paced, lucidly structured and colourful -- Zoe Norridge * TLS * Gritty -- Adrian Turpin * Financial Times * Exquisitely observed and heartbreaking -- Nicola Barr * Guardian * Writing with great verve and charm, Belgium-based Unigwe describes the parameters of a half-life where dreams of big houses and plait extensions help to block out a grubby reality * Independent * Haunting story... Sometimes a novel can tell you more than any amount of documentary journalism. * The Observer * Sobering... the humiliations endured by the quartet are forcefully driven home by Unigwe. * Sunday Times *