TOADS FOR SUPPER. By Chukwuemeka Ike

This rather early African novel reminds us of how important marriage is, or should be, and how very important the process is to those who hail from rural areas (village) even if the protagonist is having a western education at a university. From the perspective of his parents, the ideal woman for Amadi would be the well brought up if naive village girl they want him to marry. But with his exposure to campus life, Amadi meets other women from other regions who seem more appealing. Yet Aduke, the woman he is most attracted to, despite higher education, is naive in her own way too, especially in sexual matters as we see. Amadi finds himself in a very tight corner in the end - in this fine work where campus/academic life is vividly recreated.
- Madolyn Chukwu

THIS MOURNABLE BODY. By Tsitsi Dangarembga

It is always gratifying to see iconic African writers being consistent and prolific over the decades with their striking publications. Ngugi and Soyinka easily come to mind in respect of this. And of course the world class Tsitsi Dangarembga whose early classic Nervous Conditions shook the literary world in 1988. Some 30 years later (last year) Tsitsi again published another work, This Mournable Body, the third in the trilogy of the series.  It is trite to note that the distinguished lady always writes very well with tantalising imagination anchored on reality; hence she does not disappoint with her latest offering (The book's title latches onto one of Teju Cole's scintillating articles,) but of course this project is much longer and focuses on protagonist Tambu's later life, in Zimbabwe to boot. Despair, frustration and a lot of angst is her lot as one would expect from the author.  Yet the conclusion is not really sad. Thank heavens. 

FELA: THIS BITCH OF A LIFE. By Carlos Moore

I have always been fascinated by people who go out of their way to put together books, monographs, studies or biographies involving others. I often feel that in most cases such works are labours of love, as it were.

In the case of this book, the subject/protagonist, Fela is one of the most fascinating and flamboyant characters in African history. "Abami eda" (Fela) was a larger than life character, a spectacular musician, an "Africanist " - and what a polemicist!!

This is a comprehensive work focusing on the life and times of Fela, his initial nuclear family, his education, travels, his evolution over the years. Here we meet Fela the maverick and iconoclast, often clad in his underwear, sociable, inviting people to do things "the African way" including sitting down on the floor, being guided by the spirits, the "Iya Alaje" et al.

Few people suffered the way Fela did, brutalised by the powers that be, soldiers, police etc. He was arrested countless times and charged with so many offences, including murder. His edifice was famously burnt down, his aides and many wives viciously beaten up. Yet Fela remained defiant to the very end. He was along the line accused of kidnapping, "corrupting" women, mainly young women who became his dancers and singers. Fela's response? He married all the women in one fell swoop, over two dozen of them at the same time and occasion!!!

And the women feature prominently in this book, too. The author actually goes out of his way to interview all the "queens", as they were stated to be. It is a fascinating section as the women express their admiration and respect for Fela; talk about structure, discipline, and even the sex life of Fela, which includes his "timetable" in respect of sleeping with so many women. We might be moved to laugh when one of the queens, eg, referring to Fela in bed, declares: "'e be like pepper...'e sweet like pepper!"

The man who put this book together, Moore, for decades, has been something of a maverick himself, a formidable intellectual intrepidly dedicated to the cause of "Blacks", too. As this book shows, his prose is lucid, flowing, powerful. Even after decades, this book still remains a definitive work on "the man who has death in his pouch"(Fela)

- O Bolaji (Eric)

KAYODE ADEGOKE HONOURED

Mr Kayode Adegoke, a top-notch civil servant in the state of  Osun in Nigeria has been honoured by the Lagelites '79 Association. 

An alumnus of Lagelu Grammar School in Ibadan, Mr Adegoke was highly lauded in the formal Citation at the event, sparking applause and plaudits along the line. He was commended for his achievements over the years, his career of meritorious service to the nation, and his exemplary personal life as a dedicated family man and sports enthusiast.

Also honoured at the occasion were Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, Kabiyesi (Dr) Bayo Windapo, Senator Soji Akanbi, and Prof Segun Odunola - all alumni of Lagelu Grammar School (1979 set). 

"I'm happy that my set produced many outstanding individuals," Mr Adegoke said, in his modest, affable, suave manner. "It's been an auspicious occasion"

POISON IVY. By Peter Cheyney

Carlotta!! What a "dame"! In many ways she is the true hero, heroine of this work. Another fascinating lady we have come to expect from the adventures of Lemmy Caution; Lemmy at work and play! 

Lemmy of course basks in consummate fashion in the company of such intriguing women. The sleuth is as tough as nails himself, but even so this time around, the type of ruthless degenerates and cutthroats he has to deal with boggles the mind. Lemmy negotiates the dark contours painstakingly, grins and jests in abundance. 

And is it a tough assignation! He even finds himself at sea (literarily) with a merry mob of unconscionable gangsters only too happy to slit the throat of the shining light of the FBI... And through it all, the enigmatic Carlotta slithers and tantalizes, a veritable "tough Mama". 

Lemmy has his usual breaks, not least whilst in the ship where the crooks want to dump him in and out of the cavernous waters (seal act) But they decide that, for some time anyway, he can help them with "wireless messages" on board. Which indicates how old this work - and the reviewer - is. 

Carlotta remains tough till the very end, when she flatly declares to Lemmy that she ain't the type of woman who faints... And then promptly faints on cue! An engrossing story which many modern readers might find old-fashioned - and zany!

-         - “Eric”

PARO Dreams of Passion. By Namita Gokhale

Okay, another confession by me - I am just a mere male impressed by feminine pulchritude (that means beauty, for those who claim they loathe 'big words').The first time I read this book many years ago I was very much impressed with the hardcover copy, especially the photo of the then young lovely author at the back. And the blurb praised the book and the attractive Indian author to high heavens. I just had to read the book! I soon realised that the author wrote very well, sarcastically and jauntily to boot. Well the book was stated to be a satire of sorts. But as I read on I felt in the mould of the west African that I was (am!) that this was a very "cheeky" woman indeed - well, the narrator at least! What else can one call a woman who mocks others especially her husband, referring to his stinking breath, and even his flatulence when he is making love to her (but back to the hubbie a bit later on). The narrator, patently well read, even mocks classical literature (eg 'And dear reader I married him')....It is interesting that this work portrays middle class, privileged life a few decades ago - yet such is the world we live in right now, that it appears odd that there were no smartphones then, never mind the tantalising world of social media that enthralls our existence now. There is a lot of melodrama, not only on the part of the 'celebrated' Paro - even her demise is quite melodramatic- but the same is ubiquitous. Strange how all this could unfold in a society quite sedate and serene. Yes, I certainly felt a lot of sympathy for Priya's husband, Suresh. He is entitled to expect more from his wife; after all, he liked, admired, loved her...otherwise why else would he marry her, take care of her, work hard, make sacrifices etc? But our narrator hardly even likes him and keeps on making fun of him in her write-ups or diaries, whilst admiring the shameless, wily Paro. And Priya even admits to her husband, who is shocked at the contents of her writings, that he means little to her. One can imagine the pain and agony the poor lawyer would endure, which is of course glossed over. The winner takes it all?

- Eric Bolaji