OTHELLO. By William Shakespeare

I did not like this work when I was young; I used to ponder over how unfair it was that the 'gorgeous' white lady, Desdemona would be killed despite completely being blameless; and additionally as an African myself it riled me that a black man "the Moor" would rise to such an important position in Europe - hundreds of years ago! - and lose it all, after the horrific 'slaying' of Desdemona his wife! It was a case of palpable unfairness to me. 

As the years rolled by I could hardly bear to read the play in the original again. Yet over the years, two things always stuck in my mind, re this superb play. Firstly it reminded me of an African proverb, "Eyinkule l'ota wa, ile ni aseni n'gbe" i.e "The enemy lurks somewhat in the backyard, but the arrant betrayer resides right inside one's house". Yes, that is "the honest Iago" in the context of this drama! 

Secondly I found Agatha Christie 's CURTAIN - the last Hercule Poirot mystery- so brilliant. Yet the whole work - the real villain - is based on the character of Iago; in other words, this Christie masterpiece was inspired mainly by Shakespeare's Othello. But of course Curtain is a mystery work, and it is at the end that we realise who the villain is.

In this play, Othello, one winces from the beginning when we realise how dangerous and evil Iago is, despite Othello trusting him so much. As Iago says to Roderigo ,"The Moor howbeit that I endure him not, Is of a constant, loving noble nature, And I dare think he will prove to Desdemona, A most dear husband..." Hence, Iago knows that Othello, despite being "different" is a rather good man, that he loves his wife dearly; but despite this he proceeds coldly and malevolently to destroy them both!

We know how he goes about this, finally propelling Othello into a jealous, murderous rage! Yet, Othello even as he prepares to kill his charming wife, is still very much in love with her and filled with guilt: "...and mak'st me call what I intend to do A murder, which I thought a sacrifice".

It is a real tragedy. Desdemona dies. Othello kills himself... What Iago has done - it upset me for donkey years - is so heinous. The conclusion of the play thus seems so tame as Lodovico says: "To you lord governor remains the censure of this hellish villain (ie Iago) The time, the place, the torture. O, enforce it!". Hmm...

-         O Bolaji

CALL ME BY MY RIGHTFUL NAME. By Isidore Okpewho

The author was one of the most brilliant minds Africa ever produced, a wonderful novelist and world class academic. His specialties included oral literature (Africa) and myths (mythology?). This was reflected in his own creative works, including this novel. Another example of a black man born or weaned overseas who finds himself coming "home" to Africa to learn about life, history, awareness and the like. One is of course reminded of Alex Haley and Roots. The protagonist finds himself in an African village, a real culture shock, but apparently all this is destined. He is in Africa where the supernatural is part of life. A brilliant creative work which should certainly be more popular, and a very enlightening story. The late Okpewho was a real gem and his works are there for us all.

Madolyn Chukwu

KALU OKPI - Prolific Writer of Thrillers!

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

THE INNOCENT MAN. By John Grisham

This type of work is necessary so that the world at large can learn how sick the legal system can be! (specifically America in this work; how much more elsewhere). I am reminded of an acquaintance of mine here in west Africa who spent over half a year in jail just because he was ‘suspected’ of stealing something he knew nothing about! Reading this book, the mind boggles!! How can kids eg have their whole lives ruined – spent in jail/death row after being forced and coerced to confess to crimes they know nothing about? How many countless ‘criminals’ have been killed or sentenced to life imprisonment before DNA evidence unequivocally exonerated them later on? What price the life of hapless denizens when law enforcement agents are bent on convicting them at all costs? Such is the case here with the spotlight brilliantly beamed on the life – the vicissitudes - of an Innocent Man who nevertheless suffered horribly, accused of a heinous crime that he did not commit. And what about his long-suffering (pious) Mother, and Sisters? What about their vicarious and direct suffering? And yet through it all, the stigma of being accused and CONVICTED of (a) crime would always be there with members of the community, even relatives, shunning and snubbing such people even long after they have been exonerated. It is so sad. Why is the world often so unfair?

-         Henry Ozogula

LORNA DOONE By R. D Blackmore

The ultimate nightmare: a woman being shot during her own wedding ceremony! What a scenario. That is what sticks in my mind after reading this book, regarded as a classic. Admittedly I read only one of the shortened abbreviated versions, as many told me there was no way I could read or even understand the original work. But it does not matter. The version I read was exciting though harrowing enough; and one wonders at the simple, often brutal life of the denizens of this British place centuries ago. There is a lot of cruelty, but John Ridd’s love for the lovely Lorna shines through. After all sorts of tribulations that one would have thought had no real solutions, Ridd wins his woman who is very much a noble lady now…and then she is shot by the villainous Carver on her wedding day! No wonder Ridd exacts revenge man to man and ends the life of Carver. Best of all, Lorna survives the shooting and the book has a very happy ending. Tears….

-         Madolyn Chukwu