This work
deals with African books, authors and literary appreciation in general. The
author has already published important books like Promoting Quintessential
African Writing, and Glimpses into African Literature. Here he writes about the
work of writers like Chinua Achebe, Obi Egbuna, Lebohang Thaisi, Chief O
Bolaji, Job Mzamo, and Matshidiso Taleng (a SA black female poet)
The author, Mr
Soqaga believes writers are very important and should point the way ahead. He
writes in this work: "Writers are actually the voice of the people, they
need to speak when they see something wrong. This is literary criticism of
sorts, but many African writers have suffered severely from their governments
when they raised unpleasant things the leaders do to their people..."
(Page 46)
There is no
point dwelling on weaknesses in this revealing work; a couple might suffer
here. Firstly, the objective reader will notice that the author focuses too much,
disproportionately, on Bolaji's work; and secondly, Mr Soqaga has a tendency to
over-praise, with too free use of words like "extraordinary",
"exhilarating" and "enthralling".
- By Henry Ozogula
I get a sense of free talk without fear or favor on Mr Soqaga's book. As always you keep on writing the best and my inspiration grows every time.
ReplyDeleteMr Soqaga - splendid essayist and aficionado of books...has done a lot for African writing, and will continue to do so. Essentially celebrates everything African
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