For our very first Author Book Chat, podcast host Benny sits down with award-winning Nigerian-Canadian writer Francesca Ekwuyasi, the brilliant author of Butter Honey Pig Bread. Together, they dive deep into the novel’s unforgettable characters, powerful themes, and the creative journey behind this internationally acclaimed debut.
In this warm, reflective, and engaging conversation, Francesca shares her thoughts on faith, family, queerness, love, food, and the bonds that hold us together—all central to Butter Honey Pig Bread. From Lagos to Halifax, from the myth of the Ogbanje to the quiet complexities of sisterhood, this episode explores how storytelling bridges cultures and continents.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
1. Francesca’s journey to writing Butter Honey Pig Bread and finding her voice as a storyteller
2. How food and memory become acts of love and healing in the novel
3. Deep dive into characters Taiye, Kehinde, and Kambirinachi—their pain, choices, and growth
4. The creative process of writing across Nigeria, England, France, and Canada
5. A lighthearted “This or That” Nigerian food game with Francesca
Whether you’re part of a book club, a fan of African literature, or simply love hearing authors talk about their craft, this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and inspiration.
About the Book
Butter Honey Pig Bread is a stunning novel of love, loss, and the resilience of family. Shortlisted for the 2020 Giller Prize, it follows twin sisters Taiye and Kehinde as they navigate trauma, forgiveness, and reconnection, guided by their enigmatic mother, Kambirinachi.
Listen, like, and subscribe for more author interviews, African storytelling, and book club conversations.
Share your thoughts in the comments—have you read Butter Honey Pig Bread? Which character stayed with you the most?We have monthly book club meetings in Lagos, every last Saturday of the month.
Our September book of the month is The Road to the Salt Sea by Samuel Kolawole. Get tickets to attend our September book club meeting here.
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok & Twitter (X).