OMOSEYE BOLAJI. Brief Notes on his literary work

OMOSEYE BOLAJI: Brief Notes on his Literary Work

By Henry Ozogula

                                                                                                                                         

OMOSEYE BOLAJI: Brief Notes on his Literary Work

First published in 2017

All rights reserved

Copyright Henry Ozogula

Published by:

ESELBY JNR Publications

Bloemfontein, South Africa

Email: soqaga.ishmael@gmail.com

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INTRODUCTION

By Henry Ozogula

As readers, we almost always have our favourite writers. To go straight to the point, the writer Omoseye Bolaji when he was based in South Africa had his own loyal readers, followers, critics and reviewers. It would be absurd to query the integrity of such people, just because many of them were close to the author at the time.   

In fact that is one facet I love about Bolaji's critics in South Africa - although they admired him (Bolaji) so much, they were never afraid to take him or his work apart. I mean - writers/critics like Pule Lechesa, Ishmael Soqaga, Raphael Mokoena, and Charmaine Kolwane have attained a certain stature in literary circles; one would not expect them to be "praise-singers" of any author or writer, including Bolaji.   

Hence one can state quite honestly that what it means is that Omoseye Bolaji is a good writer, one most would admire and look up to. He has been praised by literary critics around the world, including Achal Prabhala. Bolaji is one of the "lucky" African writers whose work has been examined, analysed, dissected by many reviewers and critics. At least ten full-length books or studies have been published on his work over the years.     

I have read many of such studies and been impressed with the passion and admiration of Soqaga; the feminine perspectives of Charmaine and Petro Schonfeld; and the authority and bluntness of Pule Lechesa, a ruthless critic...

In fact I believe that Lechesa's Introduction on Bolaji's work (in the book, Bolaji in his pomp) exhibits a brilliance that other analysts or critics, including myself, can not hope to match. Mr Lechesa, like Mr Soqaga, really studied the works of Bolaji and came to powerful conclusions (and suggestions) that others might not come close to doing.     

But in the end, despite this powerful body of criticism, evaluation and comments on Bolaji's work, the correct approach is to read these works with an open mind, largely, and come to one's own conclusion. Notwithstanding how convincing the studies of Lechesa, Schonfeld, Charmaine and Soqaga might be, it is as well to approach Bolaji with fresh eyes, and have one's own opinions and perspective.

My own feeling - I do not doubt it at all actually - is that Bolaji is a born writer, or that is what he always wanted to be. The evidence in this regard is overwhelming, especially since his consistent, prolific published writings have cut across four decades, and he is still far from being an old man! (Lechesa also points this out in his own study). Others would also point out that the sheer versatility of Bolaji's writings - poetry, criticism, drama etc - would reinforce this argument, but this is an argument that I personally cannot identify with.    

I believe that Bolaji is primarily a story-teller, a writer of fiction, short or longer. This does not mean however, that he can not write on many other fields - his long career as a journalist and editor will ensure this anyway. But I strongly feel that the other stuff - poetry, criticism in particular, came later on for him as Bolaji became more aware, more mature, more established. Even in his own personal writings, he admits that since his youth he just wanted to tell (imaginative) stories and write.

I should try to explain further here - it would be a convincing argument, eg, to submit that Pule Lechesa was always meant to be a critic, even if he did not know it. There has been nothing to suggest over the years that he can easily write fiction, or even wants to. The same can be said for Soqaga too; they feel more at ease in the world of essays, reviews, criticism etc. Bolaji does it all, but there can be little doubt that writing fiction is what he loves most. 

Bolaji published his first real book, The Termagant, (fiction) almost 30 years ago, and since then he has brought out like 15 works of fiction, including the eight books in the Tebogo Mystery series. His most memorable works are, and will always continue to be Impossible Love, People of the Townships, and The Ghostly Adversary (all fiction). 

But perhaps it does not matter much, or to use one of Bolaji's titles, "it couldn't matter less..." Here, in this work I have not discriminated for or against any of his books - hopefully, anyway. I have briefly examined like 20 of his books, and hardly put any of them down. It was worthwhile reading all of them, irrespective of the genre, which I think is perhaps the best thing one can say about any writer. Many thanks.

-      
   Henry Ozogula

FILLETS OF PLAICE

Year published: 2000

I believe firmly that this book was written many years too early; almost 20 years ago...how authoritative this work would have been right now with the author's cumulative experience, after working as reporter, journalist, columnist, freelancer, and general author in west Africa, South Africa, and Europe.

At the time this book was published the author had published only a handful of books, not "close to 40" as it is stated to be the case now. Additionally, journalism and general writing itself has very much moved on, with laptops, emails etc being commonplace now; but they are certainly not part of this early work. But this does not mean that this book has limited merit, it is quite interesting and informative in its own way.

Yet at the time this work was published, the author had enough experience to write about journalism and the world of books in general; and at the time, he was a prolific writer of (short) features and articles, which is certainly not the case now. And most important of all perhaps, this book contains (in the appendix) a list of some hundred titles of early short stories (fiction) written and published by the author in Nigeria...

THE STORY OF COLLINS MOKHOTHO

Year published: 2000

I suppose many of us like feel-good stories, and this book is certainly that. A young man from the SA rural area(s) managing to make a name for himself, travel the world thanks to his dancing ability. Here we have in mind African traditional cultural dancing which would of course look exotic in other climes.

Collins, the protagonist here, is focused and intelligent, knowing what he wants, maximising his potential and opportunities. He is also a leader of sorts of his Abafana Bo Qobo dancing troupe. His collaboration with the author (Bolaji) also deserves closer scrutiny. Bolaji, a very versatile writer, has written other such short biographies - Molebogeng A Mokhuoa, Gilbert Modise, Kunle Apantaku, spring to mind.

Here the dancer Collins Mokhotho is very much his own man. He gets to travel via east Africa to the middle east, then Japan in the caverns of a ship. An international eclectic ship. Intriguing other delegates from other countries. Collins basks in all this.

 The author (Bolaji) is modest enough to sub-title this work as a "semi-biography" as he knows only too well that this work is just an introduction to a certain aspect of Mr Mokhotho's life journey, who certainly has a lot to offer in the future...

IMPOSSIBLE LOVE

Year published: 2000

As readers we marvel at how well constructed a particular story, novella, or novel might be. Take Achebe's Things fall apart for example: the author from the beginning builds a strong foundation of the society, the people, social groupings and customs, hierarchy, role of women and children for example...

In the same way the author here does well to introduce us to the SA townships, the locations where the blacks used to reside principally. We can see the life of young Betty as she grows up, and those close to her; her parents, life in the location, activity around their shop etc.

Similarly Amos (her older suitor) is introduced as an enigmatic but fine protagonist, with flashbacks into his life in exile and the like, and his weaknesses are not ignored too. The process of Amos meeting Betty and falling for her (and vice versa) is convincingly delineated.

An ambience of decency prevails which might not be entirely convincing. But the reader is left with the impression of a very powerful yet simple story.

THE GHOSTLY ADVERSARY

Year published: 2001

As the powerful South African literary critic, Pule Lechesa has noted, it is rather strange that the author (Bolaji) published his three major novels within just a few years of his writing career - Impossible Love (2000), Ghostly Adversary (2001) and People of the Townships (2003).

The assured touch is there in this work (Ghostly Adversary) - the plotting, theme(s), plausibility, and characterization. One feels chastened that after these three novels, the author never really hits the heights again as far as fiction is concerned, despite glimpses in the last four Tebogo Mokoena mystery books. Mr Qoopane might well be right when he stated that Bolaji, like Katherine Mansfield, is more of a short story writer.

The ghostly adversary is a well plotted work, with each chapter carefully planned, and the ambience of a thriller emphasized. Especially worthy of praise is the characterisation, of the older men and women; and the young ones, male and female. And the action always moves on.

"Tortoise" is pivotal, and later on, the woman who evokes the axiom of "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". In the end we think things are taken a bit too far - but a fine, fine novel.

TEBOGO’S SPOT OF BOTHER

Year published: 2001

Actually, this is the second published adventure of Tebogo Mokoena, the detective. This book seems as underrated as the fourth in the series (Ask Tebogo), but that is neither here nor there.

Reading this book one can feel that by the time the book was written, the author had become highly accustomed to life in the townships of South Africa; the general ideas, the turns of phrase, the ambience, the quips...this is probably the most humorous of the Tebogo books, written in the first person, and the narrator being simple, natural and adorned.

 Tebogo the detective actually has a secretary in the office at this time, though we no longer hear about her in later published adventures. The subject matter here, homosexuality, or lesbianism is treated almost with bated breath which is often the case in black communities.

Our hero (Tebogo) suffers a lot in the end, as the tough "lady" in question is bent on physically eliminating him; yet Tebogo, always a step ahead survives after crafty, cerebral undulations. Another interesting adventure under the Tebogo series. Not a real favourite of mine, but another good read.

THOUGHTS ON FREE STATE WRITING

Year published: 2002

The author, often said to be a writer of fiction, has actually published a great deal of literary criticism and essays over the years. In fact, his latest book, Cognoscenti (2016) belongs to the genre of literary appreciation/criticism, whilst Sorry you've been troubled (2017)  is also about literary appreciation.

This book, Thoughts on FS Writing (2002), is Bolaji's earliest book dedicated to this genre (literary appreciation). Here we have chapters like Literary Criticism, Humour, African Renaissance, Books for Children, Biographies, Autobiographies, Poetry, and epistolary writings.

The author insists that literary criticism is often subjective, which would explain why many literary pundits often have different (and even contradictory) perspectives on various books. A particular SA poet, Job Mzamo, is apparently admired by the author here, despite the "limited" formal education of Mzamo.

The author has plenty of time for the late Pule Lebuso, who obviously had a bee in his bonnet as regards "African renaissance". I think the beauty of this work, mainly, is that despite the fact that the author was close to many of the literary protagonists referred to in this book, he still manages to produce an important work introducing and saluting Free State, African, and world literature.

PEOPLE OF THE TOWNSHIPS

Year published: 2003

This book is a popular one of the author's, and perhaps the most criticised and focused on, as I found out for myself. It almost inhibits one from chipping in with one's ideas about the book, but not quite. Simply put, a young man (John Lefuo) introspectively goes all over his own SA townships (residential area) knowing that his days as a free man are limited. But as readers we do not know that till late on.

John considers his locus - and denizens - with fresh eyes, which as human beings we do not normally do. We become jaded, even bored with where we are usually based, and we see nothing special about it in the process. Many pundits have remarked that they do not consider John to be a "mad man", but I actually found it easy to believe that his own society would regard the protagonist as maladjusted at least.

We tend to feel uneasy, especially in African societies, when we come across other personalities who seem different. That is why in Okara's The Voice, for example, the haughty, high placed king and chiefs go out their way to eliminate Okolo, who is actually just a naïve young man to them. Yet they can not tolerate him and his ideas "Do you have it?"...

But this has been the case for thousands of years. John the Baptist eg from Biblical accounts, was a very good man, but the powers-that-be found his approach unusual and he ended up being decapitated. The society depicted here in this work (People of the Townships), has moved on, and can consider Lefuo with relative affection, or at worst they can be condescending towards him. And it is Lefuo himself who commits the heinous act that ensures he has to be removed from society.

From their own reviews, literary pundits like Charmaine Kolwane and Mzwandile Soqaga are horrified, and can not understand why Lefuo would resort to such an act. But such is the beauty of literary works, fiction, that we can all get carried away...

(separate page)

MOLEBOGENG ALITTA MOKHUOA

Year published: 2004

Many pundits believe that if women involved in writing in Africa are not somewhat undermined, then there is a paucity of works in respect of what they have done (especially the lesser lights).

Hence this work is very important as it celebrates the contribution of a certain lady to writing; a woman who died prematurely, which circumscribed the fulfillment of her full potential, it seems. Mokhuoa as a mother and a "dabbler" (so to speak) in literature evidently did well.

The author, Bolaji must be commended too for putting this work together using diverse styles: flashbacks, reminiscences, stories, essays, references. Hence we get a fairly good picture of the lady, Ms Mokhuoa and her forays into the world of writing.

She was good enough to have garnered at least one award for her writings; and she was responsible for at least two published books: Letters to a Poet, and Free State Writers Talking. ( I am delighted that at least Mokhuoa's Free State Writers Talking, is on goodreads)

ASK TEBOGO

Year published: 2004

Ask Tebogo is probably the most maligned in the Tebogo Mystery series. The story is often criticised, even dismissed, apparently because the author keeps on breaking the flow of the action with a series of "essays" every now and then.

Yet such essays did not affect my own reading much, if at all. After all, these occasional essays are quite short, and one can avoid or skip them if one so wishes. Nor do I agree with a critic, Petro Schonfeld who argued that there is no real mystery in this work. Manifestly there is, as the revelation at the end shows.

The real weakness of this work, I believe, is the author's obsession with certain male protagonists who come across as generally fine gentlemen, thoughtful, cerebral, even quiet and mysterious. Such is the case with the gentleman brutally murdered here.

The author's empathy (in his books) is always with such "gentlemen" and the well constructed plots suffer a bit from this. Nevertheless, despite its weaknesses, Ask Tebogo is a fine work. I particularly liked how the author skillfully reproduces (in the dialogue) the gossip, malice, nuances of those we might call the semi- iterate, or even illiterate (mainly women here)

THE SUBTLE TRANSGRESSOR

Year published: 2006

The author, Bolaji is known to most as a writer of fiction - novels, novellas, short stories. Yet creating drama is a form of fiction too, inasmuch as the writer creates plots, theme, and of course a number of characters.

Hence Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth (from the play, Macbeth) comes very much alive as much as Henchard, the Mayor of Casterbridge does in Thomas Hardy's novel. In this African play, we get to know a group of young girls quite well, especially Kate, daughter of Job, the tough, enigmatic father.

 The action, such as it is, takes place in a South African township. Being a Bolaji work, at the very end of this play, there is an unexpected twist; and it is not the place of this reviewer to be a "spoiler", as it were. This is a fairly good drama, with some intriguing and insightful dialogue along the way.

ON AWARDS, AUTHORS, LITERATURE

Year published: 2007

The main attraction of this book, for me, is that the author unwittingly provides some personal information about himself in this question-and-answer book. It might seem strange to suggest that despite purportedly publishing many books touching on his personal life - My life and literature, Miscellaneous Writings, It couldn't matter less, Far up! Far out! Far more! etc, - relatively little is known about the author (Bolaji) especially his early life.

But in this work he seems expansive enough, talking about his youth, his attraction to the typewriter then, how he gained admission into a University at a very early age, etc. And there is plenty of old-fashioned humour too. Note that the many questions here are posed by Pule Lechesa, an expert on the author's work, and someone he obviously feels free with. And how Lechesa takes advantage here!

It is clear from this work that Bolaji loves literature a lot, and over the years he has contributed his own quota to this genre. Also note that many parts of this particular interview would find their way into the later work, Interviews with effervescent writers (edited by C Mautjana)

MY LIFE AND LITERATURE

Year published: 2007

It gives me a lot of pleasure going through the internet, doing research on literature, on specific books, on my favourite writers like Mr Bolaji. There is always something to learn and attract one in the world of general internet for books, for reviews, no matter how short or aged.

I have read many of the South African critics' reviews of Bolaji's books on the 'net, written by experts like Pule Lechesa, Soqaga, Raphael Mokoena, and the like. More relevantly, I am intrigued when Mr Soqaga for example claims in an essay that the Bolaji books that he likes most, or which he finds most important, are those where he (Bolaji) writes about his past, childhood, like in Kunle Apantaku, and My life and literature (this book).

But Soqaga is wrong...as readers we get fascinated by what an author writes first, the fiction, poetry, essays etc; and if the author is good we might now start thinking: I want to know more about this fine writer! His past, influences, how he became a writer etc...so it's essentially a secondary, supplementary interest, wanting to know all about the writer, Bolaji, in this case.

 Yes, he's a most frustrating writer, who reveals only fractions of his life, childhood et al in so many books he has written. It is roughly the same in this work, despite the title. The information is sketchy, and though most of the emphasis is on the "literature" aspect, the author apparently keeps on holding back.

 In the end, the reader familiar with Bolaji's works realises he or she really has to read most of his quasi-autobiographical books for flashes of insights into his personal life and development: books like Miscellaneous Writings, It couldn't matter less, Kunle Apantaku, Far up! Far out! Far more!, Windmills of the Dames, or even Fillets of Plaice. Truth is, the book, My life and literature might provide only 5 per cent of what one envisaged...

TEBOGO AND THE HAKA

Year published: 2008

Those of us who have had the privilege of talking about literature with this author, or about some of the books he published himself, will confess that in real life Mr Bolaji is not so forthcoming about his own works. "Just try to read the books themselves and do not worry about any parallels with my own life" he would say.

Nevertheless I was excited when he told me about how he loved the small town of Ladybrand in South Africa which he visited many times, often staying in a particular guest house there. Immediately I heard this, my mind went to this book, Tebogo and the haka, references to the guest house in the work etc

(By the way, the well known SA literary critic and author, Pule Lechesa - who used to be quite close to author Bolaji - is from Ladybrand). Tebogo and the haka is a well written story/mystery, although the author does not go into inordinate details of the topography or even sociology. We learn of course about the colourful Haka performance itself...and the mystery of two deaths...

(separate page)

TEBOGO AND THE PANTOPHAGIST

Year published: 2010

I am not really sure what the author was attempting here in this book - this mystery in many ways seems different from the other Tebogo books...was his intention really to pay tribute to the great discoverers and inventors who have made life so wonderful in the modern era, the discoverers of electricity, the telephone, tvs etc?

Certainly the character of "the pantophagist" (had to look up the word) is interesting here, and rather humorous - I mean the "scientist" who discovers how mankind can disappear. This story has many elements that induce disbelief; and trust the author to introduce another alluring young lady! (Debbie).

 The farce between Debbie and our Tebogo turns out to be more important than one could have imagined in the end, and Tebogo emerges chastened, and a loser" in the end. "This is too much for me! Too much even for Tebogo Mokoena!" he declares late on, the only real twist in the story.

As other pundits have pointed out, in Tebogo and the pantophagist (just like in the previous adventure, Tebogo and the Epithalamion) nobody is killed, and there is almost no violence. But Bolaji would then infuse horrific violence and death into the next adventure, Tebogo and the bacchae, but that is another story...

TEBOGO AND THE BACCHAE

Year published: 2012

Readers of the Tebogo mystery series must have noticed that Tebogo the detective almost always has some chemistry - or put plainly, attraction - for main female characters in the books; this despite the fact that he is a "happily married man".

 In Tebogo and the haka, Tebogo is clearly attracted to Charlotte; in Tebogo and the epithalamion the same applies late-on to Neo; in Ask Tebogo he is attracted to a "sluttish" woman whose name I can't recollect now; and of course in Tebogo Fails, Tebogo meets his wife-to-be in a romantic sub-plot. Hence I was not surprised that in this work (Tebogo and the bacchae) our private detective is fascinated with Thobeka, she of the intriguing eye-lashes and magnetic charm.

We are not really told how the lady has such hypnotic, alluring powers that can even make her a sort of "witch". But we also note that Thobeka is a major factor in this work, unwittingly. Read this book, and the key to the mystery and murders lies to a certain extent with Thobeka.

Yet Tebogo continues to be fascinated with her and even plays match-maker in the end, as he desires her happiness at all costs. A brilliantly plotted story, but I can not but wonder: if Tebogo had not been married, wouldn't he have pulled out all the stops to seduce Thobeka? An irreverent thought, perhaps?

WINDMILLS OF THE DAMES

Year published: 2014

It can be intimidating reviewing the work of a very good (African) writer like the author, Mr Bolaji here. Often we hardly know much about our authors, just identifying them with a book or two, but when the writer in question has published so many books, sports, fiction, poetry, novels, criticism etc like Bolaji has done, one tends to put such a writer on a pedestal.

It is often said that Bolaji has been in decline over the last 5 years or so, but it depends on the perspective; it might well be because his last major work of fiction (Tebogo and the bacchae) came out almost five years ago. But Bolaji has continued to write a lot since then, mainly short general essays, criticism, reviews; and considering his experience this is formidable in itself.

Like all the shorter writings in this book, Windmills of the Dames, a lot of them have to be read again and again, even slowly, to appreciate the ingenuity of the author's craft. Many of the chapters read like short stories, so how do we claim that the author is no longer creative? The section where the author tries to wade into a dispute between a young female friend of his and her boyfriend reads exactly like a gripping short story. Even the chapter where the author refers to a particular reception of his book, It couldn't matter less, looks powerful and imaginative.

Yet the author in this work is generally referring to fleeting experiences in his life. Including the title story, Windmills of the dames which touches on a Senegalese community in South Africa. On my own part, I love and appreciate virtually everything the author Bolaji writes...this book is no different.

Far Up! Far Out! Far more!!

Year published: 2014

This book contains a series of short articles, essays, reflections, episodes, recorded by the author after spending many months back in west Africa after like 20 years based in South Africa. Of course by then the author had published in South Africa virtually all the works associated with him even now.

 One might be tempted to state that many of the chapters here show the attempts of the author to re-integrate himself back into his motherland; but the evidence is strong enough to suggest that the author for decades always comes across as a loner wherever he is based (think of his fictional work, People of the Townships)...that the author is essentially a loner is fairly clear from this work, a suggestion brutally conveyed in one of the chapters here where a woman states, referring to him "Something terrible must have happened to him...he's not a happy man".

Yet the very first chapter here, The Termagant is a rather funny story of what happens during the aeroplane flight back home; Bolaji always easily oscillates between sombriety and humour, which seems to be the case here in chapters like The Library, Keeping abreast of things, and the section where he steps onto the weighing machine! "Merry Xmas a la Shoprite" is interesting in the way what seems to be novel to one individual can be commonplace to another (the author used to live just beside Shoprite stores in SA, and it was commonplace for him at the time to frequent such stores daily).

Bolaji will always find an "excuse" to write about literature, hence in this work we have superb pieces like "Wole Soyinka at 80", "A man of the people" , and The Man Died. A piece like "Oloolu" is very powerful, ancestral (evoking the past), and quite mystical. Yet the author appears to be neutral in his narration?

 Looked at generally, this work is in the vein of recent works of the author like Miscellaneous Writings, It Couldn't Matter Less, and Windmills of the Dames. Quite interesting and intriguing.

COGNOSCENTI

Year published: 2016

As I write this, I have a copy of this book beside me. It is a book that will be a delight to lovers of books, especially African literature. The essays here, most of them anyway, are marked by their brevity and quality. In fact only two essays here are quite long – the one on Mr Soqaga, and the one celebrating Flaxman Qoopane at 60.

this book can be well used for reference purposes as an introduction to African literature in particular. The author examines books and authors who might not be so well known these days, like Cyprian Ekwensi and Mbella Sonne Dipoko. The author again seems to have written the piece titled "oiling the wheels of literary fecundity" in a rather angry mood; yet this particular essay is very informative and makes references to many important African writers.

is a section where the author - "literary profiles" - introduces world class writers like Mandla Langa (SA) and Chukwuemeka Ike (Nigeria). He also focuses on Gomolemo Mokae in an evidently significant essay on this writer cum medical doctor. I feel though that at the end of this work there should have been some formal references, which is not the case here

SORRY YOU’VE BEEN TROUBLED

Year published: 2017

Bolaji’s new book, Sorry you've been troubled (2017) looks very much like his last work, Cognoscenti book.  (2016) - as both books essentially focus on literature generally, reviews of books and literary profiles. The main difference is that in this new book the author includes the text of a speech on literature he delivered in a Nigerian university (incidentally titled "Sorry you've been troubled").

Otherwise, as I have stated this new work, and the previous one are similar. However, whilst Bolaji reviews some ten different books in "Cognoscenti", he has doubled the number of book reviews in the new work - to twenty. Here he also briefly profiles three African writers – Lauri Kubuitsile, Ngugi, and Matshidiso Taleng...and the work ends with an "Appendix; general overview" of Bolaji's literary works himself.

I must say that I found some of the book reviews here quite brilliant, especially the one on Soyinka's Brother Jero, and the review of prof Palmer's An Introduction to the African novel. Not many average people might appreciate literary reviews of books and authors, but Bolaji's appraisal of Palmer's work clearly shows that it is a superb, informative early book of literary appreciation. As for the Bolaji overview at the end, it is a very fine introduction to Bolaji's work in itself.

Additionally,  "Other writings by Bolaji" include his other contributions to literature published elsewhere, mainly his short stories in magazines around the world; and Introductions/Foreword to other writers' published books. All those who appreciate African literature in particular must read this new book.

CALAMITY ANGST (2020)

This exciting new work, which contains excerpts from two recent lectures delivered by Omoseye Bolaji, will be formally launched in early 2020. Those who have seen early copies of this work - like this author - are very excited about the book. Bolaji's combination of the formal and the informal. complemented with anecdotes, makes this book mind-blowing.

WILDFLOWER: An Intriguing tv series (2021)

In Wildflower: an intriguing tv series (2021) Bolaji, in an essay (actually a lecture) briefly ponders on the world of movies. Apparently he loved religious movies in his youth, as he reminisces on memorable scenes from The Ten Commandments, and Jesus of Nazareth. But his main focus in this book is the blockbusting modern tv series, WILDFLOWER .

Bolaji is no doubt enamoured with the series, even with his intermittent light hearted criticisms in this work. He uses the opportunity to ponder on certain universal aspects, as when he comments briefly on the character Arnaldo:

'The ordinary (man) might well ponder: Poor little rich boy, Arnaldo. Born with a silver spoon. Scion of an incredibly powerful and rich family. He has it all, even women. In the series, he dates Natalie and Ivy, two beautiful, sophisticated, glamorous, delectable young women. But he loses everything at the end, including his own life...'

Fascinating titles of Omoseye Bolaji

By Henry Ozogula

After getting over what might come across as shock over the many titles (books) published by African writer Omoseye Bolaji over the years, one would definitely be struck with how fascinating and intriguing many of the titles of his works are.

Perhaps you skip over such titles like The Termagant (his first published work of fiction), The ghostly adversary (one of his major novels), The subtle transgressor (his only play), Snippets, and Reverie (both works of poetry) - but this might still not prepare you for what to come. 

Especially the Tebogo Mystery series, the last four in the series, probably. Tebogo and the haka (can the title be appreciated in west Africa?), Tebogo and the epithalamion, Tebogo and the pantophagist (what!), Tebogo and the bacchae...yet once we actually read these books, we easily appreciate the creative titles. 

Oh, the joys of reading reviewers and critics! Pule Lechesa, a celebrated SA critic and writer, has published many books on Bolaji. In Bolaji in his pomp (2013) he brilliantly suggests that Peter Cheyney, a British writer who was at his peak many decades ago, has been a major influence on Bolaji as a writer.   

Speaking to Bolaji in one of his bases in Nigeria, I personally asked him about this, and was stunned when he said: "Lechesa is right, though he himself might not have imagined how much I liked Cheyney in my youth...indeed THREE of the titles of my own books were directly taken from Cheyney's works..." I checked, and found out that this is true. Bolaji's books - They never say when (1994), It couldn't matter less (2013) and the forthcoming Sorry you've been troubled (2017) are all old titles of Cheyney's books. Bolaji's books bearing these titles have nothing at all in common with Cheyney's works, it must be pointed out.  

It is remarkable though, a stunning example of the internationalism of literature! Bolaji, an African, partially revivifying the corpus and memory of Cheyney's works of decades ago, to the extent that even a cerebral modern critic like Achal Prabhala has been moved to revisit Cheyney's works...

In recent times, another fascinating book published by Bolaji is Windmills of the Dames (2014). No doubt an expert on Bolaji's writings, Pule Lechesa has again expatiated on this work:

 “What an intriguing title (Windmills of the Dames) by Bolaji. It immediately reminds us of the classical poem by celebrated poet Longfellow: “Though the mills of God grind slowly yet they grind exceeding sure”

This would suggest strongly that the columnist is implying that after centuries of undermining women (“dames”) by the world – until just over a hundred years ago, eg even in western countries women had very limited rights – women nowadays seem to be getting some sort of retribution (revenge) on men, with the latter bearing a lot of the burden these days.

By the same token, alternatively there is also the implication that women might also pay ultimately for whatever heartaches they are meting out to partners.

Additionally, literary pundits often point to Sidney Sheldon as a possible influence on Bolaji’s writing (as Wikipedia article on Bolaji suggests) One of Sheldon’s most famous books is Windmills of the Gods, which reminds us yet again of this particular title – Windmills of the Dames”

We can be attracted, enthralled by many of the titles of books written by African writers - perhaps Arrow of God (Achebe), Why are we so blest? (Armah), Devil on the Cross (Ngugi), Abyssinian Chronicles (Moses Isegawa), Wedlock of the Gods (Zulu Sofola), Book of Not (Dangarembga) etc - but there can be no doubt whatsoever that Bolaji has turned out much more than what should be his own fair share of such intriguing titles in African literature.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: OMOSEYE BOLAJI

Fiction

The Termagant (1988)
Impossible Love (2000)
Tebogo Investigates (2000)
The ghostly adversary (2001)
Tebogo’s spot of bother (2001)
People of the Townships (2003)
Tebogo Fails (2003)
Ask Tebogo (2004)
Tebogo and the haka (2008)
Tebogo and the epithalamion (2009)
Tebogo and the pantophagist (2010)
Tebogo and the Bacchae (2012)


Short stories

They Never Say When (1994)
The Guillotine (2001)
The Quack of Qwaqwa (2003)
You never know with Women (2002)

Poetry

Snippets (1998)
Reverie (2006)
Poems from Mauritius (2007)
Collected Poems (2013) - Mbali Press. Sponsored by NAC of South Africa

Literary essays/criticism

Thoughts on Free State Writing (2002)
Molebogeng Alitta Mokhuoa (2004)
Cognoscenti (2016)
Sorry You've Been Troubled (forthcoming)

Biographies

The story of Collins Mokhotho (2000)
Gilbert Modise: the man and the myth (2001)
My life and literature (2007)
Kunle Apantaku (2013)

Drama

The subtle transgressor (2006)


General

Eagles at USA 94 (1994)
The golden pen of Eselby (1994)
Fillets of Plaice (2000)
My Opinion (2005)
Miscellaneous Writings

It Couldn't Matter Less (2013)
Windmills of the Dames (2014)
Far Up! Far Out! Far More! (2014)

MAJOR STUDIES ON HIS WORK

Omoseye Bolaji: His Writings/Catalyst for FS Writing. By Pule Lebuso. 2001.
Omoseye Bolaji: Perspectives on his literary work. By Flaxman Qoopane. 2003
Omoseye Bolaji: Channelling one s thoughts onto paper. By Charmaine Kolwane. 2005
 
TEBOGO ON THE PROWL (Study on his creation, sleuth Tebogo Mokoena) By Petro Schonfeld. 2006
Omoseye Bolaji... On awards, authors, literature. By Pule Lechesa. 2007
THE CREST By Flaxman Qoopane. 2008
Omoseye Bolaji: Further perspectives. By Julia Mooi. 2009
OMOSEYE BOLAJI. By Hector Kunene. 2010
Interviews with effervescent Writers. Edited by Christine Mautjana. 2012. (pages 20 –39)
OMOSEYE BOLAJI: A voyage around his literary work. By Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga. 2012
BOLAJI IN HIS POMP A bio-critical overview of writer Omoseye Bolaji By Pule Lechesa. 2013

OMOSEYE BOLAJI’S TEBOGO MOKOENA. Edited by Charmaine Kolwane. 2016.

Other Writings by Omoseye Bolaji

1994. "Nigeria's Chief", World Soccer Magazine, London. Dec 1994 edition.   

1996. "Another Little Drink" (short story), Realtime magazine, Durban, South Africa.   

2000. A poet Abroad.  By Flaxman Qoopane. Drufoma, SA. Introduction by Omoseye Bolaji.

2000. A Voice from Mangaung. By Lebohang Thaisi. Introduction by Omoseye Bolaji.    

2002. "Freshness in Mohanoe's poetry" Perspectives on FS Black Literature.     

2006. Every dog has its day  and other stories. Edited by Leboela Motopi. Introduction by Omoseye Bolaji.  

2006. "The jack in the box" (short story) Drum magazine, SA.       

2010. Through the Tunnel. By Hector Kunene. Introduction by Omoseye Bolaji.  

2011. Deepest Springs. By NMM Duman (novel). Foreword by Omoseye Bolaji.      

2013. Poetry Commando. By Charmaine Kolwane. Introduction by Omoseye Bolaji. 

2013. “The Tebogo Mystery series”. By Omoseye Bolaji. Published in Free State Libraries, August – December edition.

2015. Glimpses into African Literature. Edited by I. M Soqaga. (Bolaji contributes four essays in the book, on Peter Abrahams, Mbulelo Mzamane, Asare Konadu...). 

 2016. "Omoseye Bolaji on Motheane" (interview) – a chapter in the book, Kgang Abel Motheane. By I M Soqaga.

2016. MY MUSE. Poetry by Hector Kunene and JahRose Jafta. Foreword by Omoseye Bolaji.    

 2016. Omoseye Bolaji's Tebogo Mokoena. Edited by Charmaine Kolwane. Foreword by Omoseye Bolaji