Omoseye Bolaji remains a fascinating writer, a man who has been blazing
literary footprints for decades now. His corpus of 40 or so books published
is very impressive for an African writer, a man who seemingly cannot stop
writing.
Budding writers - and even many established ones - often wonder what his
"secret" is. Probably the reviewer for Leiden University Library in Europe (whilst
examining Bolaji's work, Sorry you've been troubled) comes close when she
writes:
"Omoseye Bolaji’s enthusiasm for African literature is infectious.
Here is a passionate plea for the written word - for books, for
African books in particular, and for reading and writing in Africa
generally...'
Certainly Bolaji has proved a very versatile writer. Apart from over a
dozen works of fiction, he has published many other books on poetry,
literary criticism, general works and sports, and drama. He of course
started the Tebogo Mystery series of books, about ten published volumes thus far.
Talk to literary lovers/readers/aficionados about Bolaji, and you will
see which particular genre of his they are particularly enamoured with. I for one,
prefer his contributions to literary criticism, where one might be
surprised that he has actually published at least five solid books which are held in high esteem. This also confirms his love for literature.
As Pule Lechesa, the powerful South African author and critic points out: "Bolaji loves African literature a lot and loves to celebrate and appreciate dozens of African writers and poets on a regular basis. And the man himself has been a mentor, a teacher in his own understated, shy manner. How many African writers have confessed the debt they owe him?"
In Bolaji's countless essays on literature (collected in books of his like,
Thoughts on Free State Writing, Miscellaneous Writings, Cognoscenti, Sorry
you've been troubled, and Calamity Angst) Bolaji often mixes the formal
with the informal, with personal anecdotes, his sense of humour very much
in evidence. He has also combined with other African writers to produce works
on Literature, a recent example being the book, Further Glimpses into African
Literature, which he co-edited with I.M Soqaga of South Africa.
The quality of Bolaji 's prose is often elevated and sparkling in his literary essays. Here, for example, is his Introduction to his essay on the wonderful early African writer, Peter Abrahams:
"Not far from becoming a centenarian now, the South African writer, Peter Abrahams in his pomp brilliantly inspired a generation of disparate African writers ".
(from Glimpses into African Literature, 2015)
As for his assorted fiction, Bolaji strives to find a simple, accessible style which
is not completely pedestrian. He no doubt finds this easier to do when the books in question are written in the first person, like most of the Tebogo adventure
books. It is noticeable that his style veers towards the more formal and pedantic when he is addressing serious issues. This can be seen in the third of the Tebogo books (Tebogo fails) in an often quoted passage:
" We got to a sort of field, like a meadow, copse, quite
attractive. It was a romantic setting. Shame about those who abused
the place, stalking, slinking in the dark, ready to pounce on
individual females who chanced to use this route alone. But the
ambience itself was magnificent. Made for lovers... Youngsters no
matter how intelligent, often have a devil-may-care trait in them, a
predilection to brave the world and its perils sometimes. Undoubtedly,
many females here must have traversed this quote short cut route in
the dark, intermittently. Rape is different from murder. No child
believes he/she would be killed. Decent people do not harm the young
of the world...’
(from Tebogo Fails, 2003)
Selected Books written by Omoseye Bolaji (not a complete list):
The Termagant
Fillets of plaice
Impossible Love
Tebogo Investigates
The ghostly adversary
Tebogo’s spot of bother
The Quack of QwaQwa
The Guillotine
People of the Townships
Tebogo and the Haka
Tebogo and the Epithalamion
Tebogo and the pantophagist
Far up far out far more
Miscellaneous Writings
Cognoscenti
Tebogo and the bacchae
Sorry you've been troubled
Tebogo and Uriah Heep
Further Glimpses into African Literature (with I. M Soqaga)
Calamity Angst
Strangely, not even one book of Bolaji's poetry is listed here. I remember his Reverie, a brilliant work of poetry
ReplyDeleteIt's good to learn about African writers. Thanks
ReplyDeleteProf Bolaji is a seasoned writer who has been into literature industry for many decades. His love for the growth of literature has produced so many writers that he has mentored and even today he is still mentoring many.
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa celebrates his work in a very impressive way including the entire world.
I see few of his books on the list above and many are not included and as of his great poetry books.
I believe he will continue to write more and more because he seems not stopping any time soon. Proud of your achievements Chief Bolaji.
The essence of creative writing, eg fiction is to create convincing plot and characters. I remembrer a certain young lady who read Bolaji's book,Tebogo Fails many years ago. She told me that she read the book THREE times within two weeks and she kept on insisting, 'it cannot be fiction, the story is real, especially the love angle' I think that is best testament to how good a writer is when a reader can like the book so much and believe fiction is pure reality
ReplyDeleteI commend Monsieur Bolaji for his many many works, especially the Tebogo series. I like Tebogo's gentlemanly approach to most things, his harmless affection for women, his humour etc
ReplyDeleteI remember Bolaji's book, KUNLE APANTAKU where he pays a very strong tribute to a friend of his, now deceased. Very unusually, both of them as youngsters loved the world of imaginative Writing very much. I think it takes uncommon love and great sacrifice in Africa to love the world of books so much. Such people are so rare, and almost always fall by the wayside
ReplyDeleteA remarkable African writer indeed. We are very proud of him.
ReplyDeleteWe read his book, The guillotine, a collection of short stories. Well written, close shaves, I remember the story of the attractive lady ghost
ReplyDeleteGee, Mr Bolaji has done well. I know he was honoured by the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, and was at one time editing that newspaper from the Lesotho owner. Interesting to see a writer from Africa contributing so much to imaginative writing
ReplyDeleteIt is always a pleasure seeing something new on Bolaji, and his writings. Over the years I myself have reviewed many of his publications in books, journals, and on the internet. We have to respect and commend those of our (African) writers who have shown remarkable creativity and longevity over the years. From the early years when he brought out the novel, Impossible Love, Bolaji has grown by leaps and bounds, seemingly with ease. But as anyone who has tried their hand at creative writing would testify, it is anything but easy. That is why critics as diverse as Aryan Kaganof, Achal Prabhala, and Petro Schonfeld have generally praised his work over the years. Bolaji, as an added bonus has not only inspired many other budding African writers, but has also published extensive appreciations of countless writers spanning the decades. Bolaji’s literary legacy is solid, and one continues to wish him well
ReplyDeleteBolaji's book, Impossible Love, is the one that one will always remember. Such a tender love story exploring so many aspects, the 'girigamba' concept, Mamane, with occasional grim realities of life. I also liked the few Tebogo books I read, though one always felt that the man kept on pushing his wife to the background
ReplyDeleteAnd one did read one of his Tebogo books, Tebogo and the Bacchae, recently, a brilliantly plotted story
ReplyDeleteI always did enjoy reading the Tebogo mystery series if I could get a copy, though I have not managed to get the latest one, Tebogo and Uriah Heep (I read some fine reviews of it on internet, though). Mr Bolaji has done remarkably well to create an African detective. We used to read European detectives created by Sidney Sheldon, Mickey Spillane, James Hadley Chase and others. The first African one I read was written by David Maillu of Kenya (an adventure of agent Benni, as I recall). I know Victor Thorpe created an interesting detective, Paul Okoro in some books too. What makes Bolaji more remarkable is that he has actually written as much as ten different adventures all based on the same African detective, Tebogo M. The way he plots the themes and characters is quite interesting and most of the time the reader is kept guessing up till later on, and I laugh when I think about some of the special (attractive) women he creates in the books
ReplyDeleteHOW I RESPECT THE LEGENDS OF AFRICAN WRITING LIKE MR BOLAJI! ALTHOUGH MY ALL TIME GREATEST IS NGUGI WA THIONG'0
ReplyDeleteAn excellent, committed writer. I read two or three of his books. His flowing, lyrical play about the man abusing his own daughter, sticks in my mind; and one of the Tebogo books - the one where the reference is made to Debbie Allen of FAME international tv seriues
ReplyDeleteNo doubt, a Living Legend of a Writer
ReplyDeleteI read a few of his books, and one of them, IT COULDN'T MATTER LESS, I will always treasure. A mature, multi layered work, mainly autobiographical too
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine, fine, talented Writer. Pride of Africa
ReplyDeleteI read his book, People of the Townships; so interesting, with a twist in the tale. He can be both serious and unserious, a humane writer.
ReplyDeleteA superb writer...a fine fine writer indeed
ReplyDeleteWas a pleasure to read Mr Bolaji s brand new book over the weekend, titled WILDFLOWER. I never knew he liked the tv series so much (like me(
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to this celebrated man of letters: a lifetime of worthwhile Writing
ReplyDeleteI have seen Mr. Bolaji's new book too, titled WILDFLOWER: An Intriguing tv series... Interesting.
ReplyDeleteSo the writer keeps up the momentum, and keeps on bringing out new works. How commendable.
ReplyDeleteI have also seen the new Omoseye Bolaji book, Wildflower: Intriguing tv series. But I am not familiar with the programme; but well written work and rather witty
ReplyDeleteI have seen the kindle edition of his new book, Wildflower. Read a sample page there on the Internet
ReplyDelete