'COGNOSCENTI'. By Omoseye Bolaji

'Cognoscenti', the new book written by Omoseye Bolaji, will be formally published and launched in January 2016, publishers have confirmed.  

Although Bolaji is largely acknowledged as a profound writer of fiction, this new work focuses on appreciation of African literature in general. As part of the blurb states, "here Bolaji further focuses on highlighting more African writers and their literary work".  

A breakdown of the book is as follows:

- Introduction by Henry Ozogula.  

- Flaxman Qoopane at 60. 

- Review of Tell Freedom (by Peter Abrahams).

- Review of Adventures of Souza (by Kola Onadipe). 

- Review of The Instrument (by Victor Thorpe).   

- Review of Kurunmi (by Ola Rotimi).  

- Review of The Wanderers (by Es'kia Mphahlele).

- Review of The African Witch (by Joyce Cary).  

- Review of Onitsha Market Literature. 

-  Review of Jagua Nana's Daughter (by Cyprian Ekwensi).

- Review of Because of Women (by Mbella Sonne Dipoko).

- Review of The Voice (by Gabriel Okara).

-  Review of Afrika my Music (by Es'kia Mphahlele).       

- Review of Why are we so Blest? (By Ayi Kwei Armah)  

- Literary profiles of Mandla Langa, Chukwuemeka Ike, and Gomolemo Mokae. 

- "Oiling the wheels of literary fecundity".    

- Introduction to the work, Let's Take a Walk, Mama. 

- The literary work of Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga (an overview)

GLIMPSES INTO AFRICAN LITERATURE (2015)

Book: Glimpses into African Literature
Edited by Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
Published by Eselby Jnr Publications (South Africa)
Reviewer: Henry Ozogula

 

Let us admit it: this book is a very fine introduction to African literature in general; with a title that is both apt and concise.

What would probably impress the reader most is that the literature - or literatures - described here covers the whole continent. The editor is a South African, and we do have essays on South African writers like Njabulo Ndebele, Pule Lebuso, Don Mattera, Mbulelo Mzamane, Peter Abrahams, Flaxman Qoopane among others. 

But there are many other essays covering writers/and/or their books from east Africa (Grace Ogot and Okot p'bitek). From central Africa Mbella Sonne Dipoko is featured; the late Assia Djebar from north Africa is profiled in this work too.  

West Africa has always been vibrant in literature, and here we have essays on the likes of Ola Rotimi and Amos Tutuola,(both Nigerians) Asare Konadu,(Ghana), Camara Laye (Guinea); and there is an interesting essay on Omoseye Bolaji written by Tiisetso Thiba.

Omoseye Bolaji himself contributes four essays to this work. He writes about the late Mbulelo Mzamane in nostalgic fashion; and his book review brings Asare Konadu's well-known novel, A Woman in her prime, to life.

Bolaji also writes about the astonishing pioneering South African writer, Peter Abrahams, who has inspired many African writers over the decades; and in a clever cosmopolitan essay, Bolaji takes a look at criticism in general, with some focus on the early African literary critic, Eustace Palmer of Sierra Leone.            

The essays in this work are generally short and very readable. And informative. It is astounding how even the shortest essays here introduce and encourage us to read other works. The essay on Mbella Sonne Dipoko (Cameroonian writer) for example makes references to other writers like Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Wole Soyinka, and Naiwu Osahon.

Mr Ishmael Soqaga the editor of this work contributes six essays (plus the Introduction) - he continues to showcase his love for African literature. This book is certainly a must for anybody interested in African writing over the decades.

                                                    EDITOR.... Soqaga (above)