Review
by Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
By a long chalk it has been generally
accepted that Omoseye Bolaji's literary works remain invariably exhilarating. Literary pundits who zero in on his cavernous
literary contribution generally accede that Bolaji is
a charismatic grassroots literary icon whose literary works are ebullient.
His noteworthy latest book - Cognoscenti (2016) is
extraordinarily scintillating. I humbly
regard myself to be privileged by owning the copy of the book. Umpteen aficionados of literature
will certainly be delectable with the sensational essays that constitute most
of the book.
It could be possible not surprising to
people who love literature, especially those who are passionate about Bolaji's
books. So to speak the success of this new
book is a prodigious milestone for burgeoning quintessential literature. Personally I always imagine the large number
of people who are eager to have the book.
The early announcement of the new noticeably left many people surmising as to what the book actually contained. Did the book contain one of the thrilling
fictions of Omoseye Bolaji? Or it is
what we usually read from him nowadays- being transported and immersed in writing
remarkable essays on literature? In
essence one could not avoid acquiescing about the enthusiasm and desire which
people have, especially to sufficiently know about the book.
Over the years Omoseye Bolaji has been
known by his outstanding literary proficiency he showcases in his many
awe-inspiring books he wrote. In recent
times after he had achieved a lot in literature, some perhaps ruled him out in
literature. One
will wonder whether what is purported about him mainly by some critics is really
honest. But for the fact that literature
is quite dramatic, so the prospect can be unpredictable. However in the African context Omoseye Bolaji's
unprecedented works remain plausible and respected. Insolence is something that is exotic and
scurrilous. I ponder the saying as
quotidian, and I regard it as irrelevant inasmuch as the protagonist continues
to write fine intriguing books, essays etc.
For instance, in the zenith of the “Tebogo Mystery Series” (created by Bolaji) especially after the momentous success of Tebogo and the Bacchae we find the author declaiming: (in an interview in South Africa) “By the way I must confess that I was chuffed that I managed to produced a book like Tebogo and the Bacchae especially as a large number of “critics” seemed to believe that I was “finished” as a creative writer at the time!
“Let me state quite definitely that I have no intention of killing off Tebogo Mokoena, a humane, fairly young, happily married sleuth! If I can’t write the books again, so be it; but Tebogo will never be killed off... at this stage, weak as I am, I cannot say I am going to write further Tebogo adventures; but some six years ago, I never imagined four more adventure would be added to the series. Like that (James) Bond movie made famous Never say Never again!”
For instance, in the zenith of the “Tebogo Mystery Series” (created by Bolaji) especially after the momentous success of Tebogo and the Bacchae we find the author declaiming: (in an interview in South Africa) “By the way I must confess that I was chuffed that I managed to produced a book like Tebogo and the Bacchae especially as a large number of “critics” seemed to believe that I was “finished” as a creative writer at the time!
“Let me state quite definitely that I have no intention of killing off Tebogo Mokoena, a humane, fairly young, happily married sleuth! If I can’t write the books again, so be it; but Tebogo will never be killed off... at this stage, weak as I am, I cannot say I am going to write further Tebogo adventures; but some six years ago, I never imagined four more adventure would be added to the series. Like that (James) Bond movie made famous Never say Never again!”
Nevertheless, apart from his celebrated book of (fiction) “People of the Townships” (2003) I have always believed that
the most inspirational books that Omoseye Bolaji wrote are “My Life and
Literature” (2007) and “Kunle Apantaku” (2013). These
two awesome books expound unambiguously about who really Omoseye
Bolaji is! They candidly showcase precisely
how Bolaji became influenced and passionate about literature. To be honest these are the books that can
definitely inspire and guide the literary neophyte.
Concisely in his book My Life and
Literature on page 7 Omoseye Bolaji elucidates: "But at least reading for leisure was a
painless exercise and I loved writing too. I began to write my own short stories when I
was about 10, and by 14 I had written a great deal of them. The experts call it juvenilia, and that’s
what it was. But the writing continued,
and by 16/17 I had written my first full long novel...
"Meanwhile, throughout my teens-which
included my years in the university Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) I continued
to read books, mainly novels, written by assorted authors, white, black,
specifically African; etc..."
In Kunle Apantaku page 4 the literary
mogul expounded that: "Now looking back on it, it is rather strange that we
considered ourselves as “old” at that time, and even the themes of what we
wrote reflected this: love, philosophy, sex, crime etc. There is a very impressive corpus of African
literature anchored on children’s books.
Even in those (old) days, the outstanding African writers like Chinua Achebe,
Cyprian Ekwensi, Ama Ata Aidoo and Ngugi wa Thiong’o had penned some children’s
works. But although we had read
countless Eurocentric works of this ilk some years ago (the Enid Blytons,
Biggles series, Three investigators, Hardy Boys and the like) we now firmly
considered ourself-even at 15 as mature, rather wizened wordsmiths!"
Omoseye Bolaji is a magnetic writer
who unequivocally expresses his literary flair with profound enthusiasm. Overall like I mentioned beforehand that much
is anticipated from his new work.
Apparently, one will certainly comprehend his gargantuan essays he
produced which are entirely fabulous. I
am already aware how zealous are literary pundits in yearning to see and read
the book in order to gratify their literary desire. Inevitably their impatience keeps them
guessing as whether the book is likewise with Far Up! Far Out! Far More!
Miscellaneous writings, It Couldn’t Matter Less etc. Definitely the above mentioned books remain
transcendent and profoundly consummate.
How about the oft-colourful titles of his pieces? From the Termagant, The Intrepid Okada Protagonist, Oloolu, The Man
Died, A Man of the People, The Unsung Literary Catalyst, The Troughs of Sports,
Deon’s Debut work, Basking in Global Rugby Fiesta! To D.H Lawrence: A Sublime
Writer, Wordsmiths to the Fore!
Nevertheless, apart from his sublime
range of literary essays he used to write, in his latest book (Cognoscenti) we find a
disparate type of writing. The book
almost acknowledges and celebrates African literature in enormous
fashion. It uniquely zeroes in on endowing
literary world with magnificent wealth of knowledge about great African
wordsmiths, et al. I find this resplendent. Africa
must be thankful to have the kind of calibre of writer of the likes of Omoseye
Bolaji. Very interestingly, his reluctance
to allow African literature to be stagnant is conspicuously glaring in his
book. I find it worthwhile to read and
re-read the book time and again.
Primarily he brings forth almost all the sagacious writers of the
African continent.
One thing that a reader can be suddenly engrossed about the book ‘Cognoscenti’ is its short potent introduction - by Henry Ozogula. The way he narrates in the introduction can give the reader what actually inspired the book. Ozogula has been eagerly honest and of course regards Omoseye Bolaji as a giant of literature. It can be something bizarre in the West to see a popular writer being praised fulsomely, but here Ozogula is not coy to display how he admires Omoseye Bolaji:
"I really respect and look up to him so much, learn from him and his work every time; and whenever I see him now I’d prostrate in front of him and say: “Cognoscenti sir!” as for me he embodies incredible knowledge of literature. And over 30 books published says it all..."
It is very interesting to understand that the name of the book and its existence comes from the enthusiastic Ozogula himself. How? He explains in his Introduction: "You can imagine what a thrill and pleasure it has been for me to meet a fantastic writer like ‘Uncle Bolaji’. What he has done for me over the months is incredible and invaluable. He has guided me, introduced me properly into the world of literature. Reading his books of essays again and again has transformed my life."
In actual fact the book “Cognoscenti” is
one that comprises essays that celebrate African literature but that
simultaneously encompasses euphonious views concerning African literature. The birthday tribute of Flaxman Qoopane at 60
is very winsome. The protagonist
(Bolaji) explains with superb literary dexterity how he spent his literary life with
Flaxman Qoopane. The tribute is one of
the great tributes Omoseye Bolaji ever penned concerning a writer of the calibre of
Flaxman Qoopane. In fact the tribute is
not just a mere birthday party tribute where all kinds of food and drinks will
be appreciated with lot of cheers and jubilation. Over the years Omoseye Bolaji had remarkably written excellent literary tributes by recognising the sterling contribution of
other African writers. One will reckon how
he brilliantly appreciated Wole Soyinka,
Dambudzo Marechera, Mbulelo Mzamane and so on.
Again in the same book, Chief Bolaji
continues to share his literary background like he essentially did in other
previous books where we learn about his involvement in literature. Truly speaking Omoseye Bolaji is an
exceptional writer whom one may appreciate his fortune of being part of the
family that is conversant about literature.
In the essay The African witch by Joyce Cary, he unequivocally explains
how his uncle introduced the book to him as a kid.
Imagine as young as he was when his uncle asked him that - did he ever
dream in his life? In fact the book was
presented to him and it is very important to fathom how he reacted over the
book.
I will rather say here that Bolaji continues to demonstrate how enchanting literature is. Whether a book is negative or positive he always admires literature wholeheartedly. That is what is fascinating about him. In this his new work he dramatically discloses another part of his life in particular within his family. It must be taken into cognisance that his father was also a great writer, but to reveal information about his uncle fondness to books centrally show that as he grew up he was surrounded by people who loved literature, hence the puissance of the magnetic prolific African writer himself.
I will rather say here that Bolaji continues to demonstrate how enchanting literature is. Whether a book is negative or positive he always admires literature wholeheartedly. That is what is fascinating about him. In this his new work he dramatically discloses another part of his life in particular within his family. It must be taken into cognisance that his father was also a great writer, but to reveal information about his uncle fondness to books centrally show that as he grew up he was surrounded by people who loved literature, hence the puissance of the magnetic prolific African writer himself.
However another alluring thing about the
book is the number of contribution he expresses concerning African
literature. Like in “Onitsha Market
Literature by Emmanuel Obiechina”: "When
Onitsha Market literature was at its peak decades ago, a large number of books
with local colour was published regularly; many teeming readers availed
themselves of the opportunity to buy these works and enjoy them; literacy was
boosted in the process; and many writers emerged... Alas, this is no longer the
case in most African communities.
Again in “Oiling The wheels Of Literary Fecundity”, the reader will be pleased to understand how literature functions with Africa as background. Here Omoseye Bolaji unambiguously shrugs off the fallacy of certain "rogue" writers who try to blackmail or menace others and dupe others treacherously. "Alas, in Africa it is a crying shame, a tragedy really, that a few ignorant, petty, or even cruel-minded people who claim to be “writers” have been known to claim that an ordinary “editor” of a work can magically be regarded as the author, and try to undermine the real author(s) of a work. Such claims are in the real literary world senseless, barbaric, cruel, and smirk of illiteracy. African must move ahead with the times and not allow a few misinformed, narrow-minded people to destroy burgeoning literature..."
Again in “Oiling The wheels Of Literary Fecundity”, the reader will be pleased to understand how literature functions with Africa as background. Here Omoseye Bolaji unambiguously shrugs off the fallacy of certain "rogue" writers who try to blackmail or menace others and dupe others treacherously. "Alas, in Africa it is a crying shame, a tragedy really, that a few ignorant, petty, or even cruel-minded people who claim to be “writers” have been known to claim that an ordinary “editor” of a work can magically be regarded as the author, and try to undermine the real author(s) of a work. Such claims are in the real literary world senseless, barbaric, cruel, and smirk of illiteracy. African must move ahead with the times and not allow a few misinformed, narrow-minded people to destroy burgeoning literature..."
It is edifying to read such
superlative work by Omoseye Bolaji whom some misinformed critics have declared as
"finished". Although he may sometimes believe
that but he really know that he cannot do without literature. As we read from the introduction of this
books how Ozogula had been pushing him, nagging him to bring out a new book –
but he will just smile and say: “Boy, I am finished... I can’t write
again.” Nevertheless, again in this new book,
Cognoscenti we see Bolaji appreciates Kola Onadipe, a brilliant African writer
who writes to inspire the youth - among others.
Contents
·
Introduction by Henry
Ozogula
·
Flaxman Qoopane at 60
·
Africa my Music. By
Es’kia Mphahlele
·
The Voice by Gabriel
Okara
·
The African witch by
Joyce Cary
·
The Adventures of Souza
by Kola Onadipe
·
Onitsha Market
Literature by Emmanuel Obiechina
·
The Instrument by
Victor Thorpe
·
Kurunmi by Ola Rotimi
·
Because of Women by
Mbella Sonne Dipoko
·
Jagua Nana’s Daughter
by Cyprian Ekwensi
·
Tell Freedom by Peter
Abrahams
·
The Wanderers by Es’kia
Mphahlele
·
Oiling the Wheels of
Literature Fecundity
·
Let’s Take a Walk Mama
(Collection of poems by Tiisetso M Thiba)
·
Literary Profiles
(Mandla Langa)
·
Chukwuemekaike
·
Gomolemo Mokae
·
The Literary Work of
Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
