Monday 10 September 2018

KUNLE APANTAKU





Here in this work, it is the unusual - very unusual - childhood passion of the "boys" (author Bolaji, and Apantaku himself) for literature that strikes one most. 

It is as if since they were kids, they are on a mission, bent on becoming successful writers. Hence as we read in this book, even in their mid-teens, they were already writing novels, and indeed had early works accepted for publication by a major publisher.  

This burning desire to distinguish themselves as wordsmiths, no doubt motivates most creative writers from an early age, regardless of colour, creed or race. I particularly remember the case of Peter Abrahams, who was to explain (in books like Tell Freedom) that from the time he was very young,  he just wanted to write and write. 

Even those from very indigent beginnings - like Es'kia Mphahlele, would also testify that in their youth, they just relished reading and writing. As posterity would have it, on his own part, Bolaji the author here, would go on to somewhat fulfill such dreams (I believe), with Apantaku not so lucky in this wise. 



But in this work, Bolaji at least keeps the legacy of his childhood friend alive, bristling with the quintessence of literature. And Apantaku becomes a burnished symbol for Africans who innately revel in reading and writing even without any illusory apotheosis. - M .B Mantu    (also on goodreads)                                                                   

Saturday 1 September 2018

JUJU. By Dillibe Onyeama





I first read this book as a young man and I thought it was a fantastic, African thriller still largely rooted in traditional life, customs etc – and I still feel this is an excellent work.

In this book, we are introduced into the world of “juju” (widely if crudely often interpreted as ‘black magic’) At the end, all the superstition, strange goings-on are explained. But make no mistake about it – the whole plot, ambience is permeated by juju (voodoo), including a frightening infestation of ants and termites.

Yet contrasted with the world of ‘evil juju’ here – is also symbolism of good, but this ‘good’ is also suffused with esoteric knowledge, clairvoyance, telepathy etc. The pertinent old “Pa” man here comes across as a very good sagacious man who overstretches himself whilst helping the beleaguered young ones. 

We see village life delineated, and encroachments on the city too…and as this work tapers to an end we are stunningly struck with the selfless sacrifice of the all-knowing Pa ...this after he has explained all the weird ‘juju’ goings on.

As I said earlier, I initially read this book as a young man and was pleasantly surprised to realize that the author was a young man when he wrote this fine novel. Here he displays uncanny maturity, wisdom, intelligence with a bewildering twist or even a double twist at the very end
-          K. Awoniyi