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)
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