Calixthe Beyala was born in Douala (Cameroon) in 1961. After completing her studies at the Douala polytechnic school, she emigrated to Paris at the age of 17, where she continued her studies in Literature.

She began her career as a writer at the age of 20 with the publication of her first novel, C’est le soleil qui m’a brûlée (1987). In 1993, she received the Grand Prix Littéraire de l’Afrique Noire Award for her book titled Maman a un amant, and the Grand Prix du roman de l’Académie française award in 1997 for Los honores perdidos (The Lost Honours). With Mujer desnuda, mujer negra (Naked Woman, Black Woman, 2003), she became one of the first African women to write an erotic novel.

She spends half of each year in Cameroon where she works to improve the living conditions of her fellow citizens, and the other half in France. This Cameroonian author is also known for defending women´s and minority rights.

Sources:

• Biographical data at Ikuska.com

• Biography in The Literary Encyclopedia

Additional information:

• Consult the availability of publications at the Casa África Media Library