WINDMILLS OF THE DAMES. By Omoseye Bolaji

“It can be intimidating reviewing the work of a very good (African) writer like the author, Mr Bolaji here. Often we hardly know much about our authors, just identifying them with a book or two, but when the writer in question has published so many books, sports, fiction, poetry, novels, criticism etc like Bolaji has done, one tends to put such a writer on a pedestal. It is often said that Bolaji has been in decline over the last 5 years or so, but it depends on the perspective; it might well be because his last major work of fiction (Tebogo and the bacchae) came out almost five years ago. But Bolaji has continued to write a lot since then, mainly short general essays, criticism, reviews; and considering his experience this is formidable in itself. Like all the shorter writings in this book, Windmills of the Gods. A lot of them have to be read again and again, even slowly, to appreciate the ingenuity of the author's craft. Many of the chapters read like short stories, so how do we claim that the author is no longer creative? The section where the author tries to wade into a dispute between a young female friend of his and her boyfriend reads exactly like a gripping short story. Even the chapter where the author refers to a particular reception of his book, It couldn't matter less, looks powerful and imaginative. Yet the author in this work is generally referring to fleeting experiences in his life. Including the title story, Windmills of the dames which touches on a Senegalese community in South Africa. On my own part, I love and appreciate virtually everything the author Bolaji writes...this book is no different.” – Henry Ozogula

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“About this work, the well known critic, Pule Lechesa has commented: “What an intriguing title (Windmills of the Dames) by Bolaji. It immediately reminds us of the classical poem by celebrated poet Longfellow: “Though the mills of God grind slowly yet they grind exceeding sure”

This would suggest strongly that the columnist is implying that after centuries of undermining women (“dames”) by the world – until just over a hundred years ago, eg even in western countries women had very limited rights – women nowadays seem to be getting some sort of retribution (revenge) on men, with the latter bearing a lot of the burden these days.

By the same token, alternatively there is also the implication that women might also pay ultimately for whatever heartaches they are meting out to partners.

Additionally, literary pundits often point to Sidney Sheldon as a possible influence on Bolaji’s writing (as Wikipedia article on Bolaji suggests) One of Sheldon’s most famous books is Windmills of the Gods, which reminds us yet again of this particular title – Windmills of the Dames”

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“Omoseye Bolaji is an illustrious African writer whose body of work straddles many genres - fiction, poetry, drama, criticism, sports etc. Over the years he has published some 30 books which showcase his breath-taking range and breadth.

“Windmills of the Dames (2014) follows on the heels of earlier works of his like Thoughts on Free State Writing (2002), Miscellaneous Writings (2011) and, It couldn't matter less (2013). Here we can savour a flotilla of gripping shorter writings that run the gamut of human experience. “ – (from the blurb)