Kalu Okpi is
synonymous with some of the most exciting "popular" fiction, or
thrillers published in Africa over the years. A remarkably imaginative writer
of prose and drama, Okpi deserves much more attention even in recent times.
He published
some ten works of gripping fiction, starting with The Smugglers in the 70s. In many other works, like On the Road, Crossfire, Coup!, Love, he
created interesting characters, including delectable women. In a novel like The South African Affair, the usual stunning plot, twists and turns, and
startling finale make for powerful reading.
International scholars do recognise Okpi's
contributions to interesting African fiction - at least some of them, as
witness certain major anthologies and books on African Literature in general.
But Okpi's work and impact deserve much more attention.
In many ways,
he was a versatile writer, and stylist - he was in fact a scriptwriter for the
national television of Nigeria (NTA). He also published a play titled ECHOES: a play in 5 Scenes.
It is often suggested
that "popular writers" are essentially undermined, with a dearth of
real studies or full-length works produced on their ouvre. This is certainly
not the case overseas, with hundreds of studies and books regularly written and
published on the likes of Agatha Christie, Enid Blyton, Philip Roth, John Updike,
R L Stevenson, and countless others. Why should the situation be different in
Africa, or specifically in Nigeria which has such a vibrant literary history
and community?
We must
celebrate, enjoy the literary contributions of the likes of Okpi, Victor
Thorpe, and the great Ekwensi. Many monographs should be published on them,
which would include appraisals of their published work, positive and negative.
Here, for example, is some criticism of Okpi s novel, Love changes Everything.(by Erl, on goodreads) :
“… The plot has holes on every page so large you could drive
a Mack truck through them. Additionally, it promotes wrong-headed ideas such as
love at first sight and revenge. A woman who is traumatized by witnessing her
parents' murder will not be able to "lay the ghosts to rest" by
committing additional murders. Lastly, the protagonist, a major rock star,
decides to sell all his assets for half a million US dollars. Half a million--
really? He then proceeds to spend so much money on the next few pages that he
is certainly broke by the end of the chapter, but there is no mention of that. ..
‘
Kalu Okpi,
rather like the Eurocentric writers Mark Twain, Agatha Christie, or even James
Hadley Chase gave a lot of pleasure to (African) readers via his well written
novels or thrillers. His legacy must be kept alive, with at least 2, 3 -
or much more - full-length studies,
biographies et al focused on his
life, times, and of course, his prolific creative work.
-
O Bolaji
