DOWN SECOND AVENUE. By Es'kia Mphahlele

Reading this book, an early classic of African literature, it seems unbelievable that the author could have somehow gone on to become not only one of the finest writers in Africa, but in the whole world. Mphahlele's childhood is rocked by poverty (and SA's political, economic, social discrimination against blacks) but this does not stop him from learning to read and write relatively very early, and compulsively going through (reading) as many books as he can "devour" no matter how decrepit their condition. There can be no doubt whatsover that he was born to write and excel in intellectualism and "African humanism". Still in his 20s, despite all strictures, he publishes a first book, Man Must Live. Evidence that for him, writing is life, is clear from the fact that he not only keeps and comments on all those early varying reviews of the book, but he exults in them. The literary perfectionist and critic in the author is obvious again when he somewhat criticizes his stint at the renowned Drum magazine, not happy with some of the editorial policies of the magazine. As this book shows, Mphahlele is the utmost stylist and writer. One might have expected him to be unduly tedious or boring, but he can be pretty humorous and unorthodox; for example when he ironically chides a supercilious white woman at the time who loved referring to him (a full-fledged adult with a family) as "boy". The author says to her: "What makes you think I am a boy, and not a girl?" !! - H Ozogula