Edited by Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
New
essays on Omoseye Bolaji, Flaxman Qoopane, NMM Duman, Charmaine Kolwane,
Tiisetso Thiba, Matshidiso Taleng, George Rampai et al
And the Blurb:
ISBN 978 – 0 – 620 – 81626 - 7
The way Free State Black Writing has grown by leaps and bounds in recent times encapsulates the general picture in Africa itself, over the decades.
It is no surprise that phalanx of literary aficionados have found the Free State literary scene illuminating, and have written extensively about it. Such observers include respected critics and authors like Aryan Kaganof, Achal Prabhala, Petro Schonfeld, Raphael Mokoena, Tiisetso Thiba, Leke Giwa, among many others.
Indeed, Free State Black Writing is a microcosm of literary trends in the African continent as a whole. The Free State has now produced impressive wordsmiths, some of whom are recognised worldwide in literary circles/studies: writers of fiction, poets, dramatists, biographers, and literary commentators/critics. Talented (new) writers continue to emerge, and the evaluation of requisite works keeps on ever-throbbing.
Quite a number of disparate works have already been published on Free State Black Writing (including riveting parallels with the outstanding 'Onitsha Market Literature' of yore, by some scholars.) Yet the dynamism of the pertinent literature remains an intriguing, integral process.
The way Free State Black Writing has grown by leaps and bounds in recent times encapsulates the general picture in Africa itself, over the decades.
It is no surprise that phalanx of literary aficionados have found the Free State literary scene illuminating, and have written extensively about it. Such observers include respected critics and authors like Aryan Kaganof, Achal Prabhala, Petro Schonfeld, Raphael Mokoena, Tiisetso Thiba, Leke Giwa, among many others.
Indeed, Free State Black Writing is a microcosm of literary trends in the African continent as a whole. The Free State has now produced impressive wordsmiths, some of whom are recognised worldwide in literary circles/studies: writers of fiction, poets, dramatists, biographers, and literary commentators/critics. Talented (new) writers continue to emerge, and the evaluation of requisite works keeps on ever-throbbing.
Quite a number of disparate works have already been published on Free State Black Writing (including riveting parallels with the outstanding 'Onitsha Market Literature' of yore, by some scholars.) Yet the dynamism of the pertinent literature remains an intriguing, integral process.
This new work has been put together by one of the most successful of the new-wave Free State Writers, Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga, who, happily enough constitutes a bridge between the recent past (the genesis) and the present. A formidable researcher and award winning essayist, Mr Soqaga has already published a number of significant books in his own right.
The Growth of Free State Black Literature - this new work- is invaluable, as it straddles the past and the present, with echoes of the internationalism of literature itself, with striking emphasis on African writing. It is a book which scholars, researchers, and the general reader will find fascinating.
For enquiries about this new work, published by Eselby Jnr Publications, please contact soqaga.ishmael@gmail.com
Congratulations on the new work! This is something to relish as we enter the festive season.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a thing of pleasure to celebrate a new book issued from the Free State, with its “throbbing” literature. It gladdens my heart that Mr Bolaji is still highly respected there; and the late Mr Qoopane too. I suppose this type of work continues to cement their legacy. Incredible that the Free State can have so many black literary pearls, including the women (eg Ms Taleng, and Charmaine)
ReplyDeleteMr Soqaga continues to prove that he is a very important African scholar, essayist and critic too. Like his literary heroes (Qoopane, Bolaji, Lechesa etc) Ntate Soqaga celebrates the epitome of African writing; and boy oh boy, he himself with his formidable published work in the field has catapulted himself into the circuit of the crème de la crème. Congratulations
ReplyDeleteLearning about the Free State literary scene is quite exciting and one is happy that our Mr Bolaji is still venerated and respected a lot that side. Congratulations to Mr Soqaga who somewhat keeps the literary flag flying. I read his book, Glimpses into African Literature
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, there are two outstanding black literary essayists/critics from the Free State, now: Pule Lechesa, and Soqaga, author of this new work. Both authors have published many books of literary persuasion,at least 6 solid works each, over the years. We cannot compare other great FS Writers with them, eg Qoopane was essentially a poet/biographer, not a literary critic. With this new book, Mr Soqaga further consolidates FS Writing on the litetary map.
ReplyDeleteWooow this a perfect present for December 2018. I'm thankful to be featured on another edition of The Growth of Free State Black Literature. And i congratulate all the writers featured and the great minds behind this great book. It is vividly shows that Free State literature is growing very strongly. Asante Sana!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ntate Soqaga.. my heart simply swells with gratitude for this beautiful present of being featured in this remarkable masterpiece. And congratulations to all the brilliant writers who are also featured.
ReplyDeleteAs one of the most talented writers around, who dare omit the illustrious Ms Taleng? lol. Suke
DeleteThe author here does not see women as token contributors, but as equal full participants in a literary journey. That is my feeling as we can see he focuses also on women writers like NMM Duman, Taleng, and Charmaine. Many times we see women treated in a patronising manner, perhaps put in their own section or book, but here we can see that the lady wordsmiths are very much integrated into the growth of FS Writing. I know Madam Madolyn will like that!
ReplyDeleteThis will be of interest to many, considering the colourful nature of some of the protagonists here - now departed. People talk about Flaxman Qoopane a lot, but Gilbert Modise was equally charismatic too, and had a string of books published before his premature end. Pule Lebuso was another man who loved ideas and writing a lot too. Bolaji wrote in detail about these writers in his early work of literary essays, Thoughts on Free State Writing. And the publisher J Botha was key too in those early days. I am sure Mr Soqaga details all this in his book.
ReplyDelete