THE AFRICAN SLEUTH

What do we make of Omoseye Bolaji's new book, BOOKS BARDS AND BARBS? Certainly it is an important work that readers, bibliophiles and scholars etc will benefit from. The book underlines the author's long-standing love and passion for books and writers. Bolaji himself is recognised as one of the relatively very few African writers who have created and written a regular series on a detective, a sleuth - The Tebogo Mokoena Mystery series. A number of Bolaji's works have been reviewed on this blog over the years. Hence we are not surprised that in this new book the author focuses on many books that fall under the Mystery/Detective/Suspense genre; for example, here we read some of Bolaji's thoughts on writers (and books) like Sidney Sheldon, John Grisham, and Leslie Mieir. But not only Eurocentric writers. This new work also shows how much Bolaji appreciates African writers who have done well in this genre too; he particularly likes Dillibe Onyeama, Sunday Adebomi, Cyp...

These days books combining elements of adventure, suspense and mystery abound. Actually they have abounded for decades! From the days of Enid Blyton thrillers, to the Hardy Boys series, Nancy Drew; and the Three Investigators. African authors - and even a handful of Eurocentric writers - have published many books of this ilk geared towards the audience of African kids, and pupils in schools. Kola Ogundipe for example published an astonishing number of books for children. So did renowned African writers like Achebe, Gabriel Okara, Mabel Segun, and even Ngugi! Over the years, many of these books have become something of classics - like Eze goes to school, The adventures of Souza (By Onadipe), David and the Gangsters, and The burning Star of Ndutu. These books were gobbled up by hundreds of thousands of young African readers. New generations of writers and readers keep on growing, and there is always something new to read and learn from. LANTERN Books for example in Nigeria have ...

As this year draws to an end, this blog wishes to say a big HURRAY - Kudos - to the wonderful writers, male and female who have done so much fir exciting African Fiction over the decades. Many of them have of course been highlighted and celebrated here. A stupendous fact about African writing is the sheer volume, variety, quality and efflorescence of the produced work. Imagine for example that Achebe’s classic, Things Fall apart was published over 60 years ago! In this blog of course we essentially focus on fine works produced by African writers that excite a lot, mystery, thrillers, detective books, as it were. Two writers in particular, Kalu Okpi, and Victor Thorpe have been outstanding. Theirs are works that African publishers should not be allowed to go out of print. Of course even in our modern era, writers like the brilliant Angela Makholwa, and Chief O. Bolaji continue to contribute to the detective genre. Gomolemo Mokae also wrote the thrilling amusing work of detective...

If one had the power to recommend certain books as compulsory reading in African schools and Colleges, this novel will surely be one of them The book touches on topics which will always be of historical and sociological interest to Africans: like slavery, colonialism, neo colonialism, brain washing, colonial mentality et al. The flashbacks are often stunning and illuminating, including action in the rural areas. One often gets the impression of a laid back, sedate essence; but convincing for all that. The story is very powerful ... the protagonist in Africa now, but with an enigmatic past.  There are speculations about his persona inevitably, but his humanity is not in doubt. Later on we learn about the "terrible" things he did overseas, but even such is subjective.... Under the circumstances, the plight of Didi seems to be of secondary importance, but the twists and turns do culminate in stunning revelations later in this work. As critic P. Lechesa has suggested: "Never...

ADAORA LILY ULASI Adaora Lily Ulasi was one of west Africa, and Africa's early creative writers - she actually wrote "whodunits" which amply reflected her African background. Ulasi was very intelligent, yet diffident and not patronizing in her creative works. She had a superb sense of humour, and understood her characters -  steeped in the African ambience, and perspectives. Her realism was complemented with her excellent use of Pidgin.  An example here: "About what time of night did you hear the noise?" "It no be for night time. it be for early, early this morning time" "But you told Mr. Jenkins it was at night that you heard the noise," Hughes reminded him. "Yes Sir," Eze agreed, and went on to explain, "It still be dark, but it be early morning. Sun no come yet, and bird no start for cry." Hughes nodded comprehendingly. "Oh I see... towards dawn." Ulasi's works included Many thing you no understand, Many t...

  SOMETHING IN THE WATER  BY  MATSHIDISO P TALENG  Every evening when Mathapelo came home from playing with her friends her dress would always be muddy, her mother would always ask her where she’s been playing. ‘’By the river Mom’’ she’d reply. Mathapelo was only 7 years old and her mother didn’t like the idea Of her playing by the river, but because she was going there with other older kids, she let her  Be. Mathapelo was a shy young girl and had an imaginary friend that went with her everywhere. At night when the family would sit in the lounge and watch television, Mathapelo would be in her room playing with ‘’Pinky’’ the imaginary friend  Her older brother Kamo who was 12years old, would always come in Mathapelo’s room and tease her by throwing away the   te a set she had prepared for her and Pinky, telling her that she should stop her nonsense because P inky didn’t exist. Mathapelo would go crying to their mother and...