BOOK REVIEW: My life and literature by Omoseye Bolaji
Reviewer: Peter Moroe
What do we make of Omoseye Bolaji’s latest book: “My life and Literature” which although written to celebrate his garnering the Chancellor’s Medal from the University of the Free State, ironically has a melancholy essence about it. The book reads like selected reminiscences of an old man tottering towards the grave, rather than what one would expect from someone just starting middle age!
That Omoseye Bolaji from infancy was sickly and the situation has got worse in recent times is of course not his fault. In the past celebrated European writers like DH Lawrence, Louis Stevenson, Kathreen Mansfield etc had their lives somewhat blighted by illness, but they hardly became as negative as this. It seems psychologically Bolaji has “given up”,succumbing to despair.
There is a detachment in this new work that one would not normally associate with a black African writer. The author writes the book in such a way as to give the impression as if his whole life was only about literature which is of course not true. The early pages (pages 6 to 15) contain excellent analyses of many books and authors which make compulsory reading for lovers of literature. Also, pages 47 to 49 contain interesting notes on “the internet and literature”
The author’s apparent detachment can be disturbing starting from the very first sentence of the book: “Father was a great man…” Is it too much for the author to mention his father’s name in the book? What type of black African writer refers to his father as “Father” instead of “Daddy” or at worst “My father”?
There can be no doubt that Bolaji is a man of integrity but when he looks back briefly at his period as a political editor for a newspaper in West Africa and admits taking “gifts” from politicians: “some might call it bribes or ‘brown envelopes’ but it was nothing of the sort. It would have been a monumental insult to these elderly people to refuse their gifts” (page 19) one gets the impression that no matter how much he tries to whitewash this it was a case of receiving bribes!
Yet , as we learn from the book, Bolaji has never been swayed by the lure of money or material things. Again and again he would leave what were “comfortable” jobs that could give him some security; even when he was completely down and out.
But Bolaji’s “whitewashing” continues as he paints a very rosy picture of his association with the late Sam Leballo a book distributor. Bolaji never mentions the serious crisis caused by Mr Leballo in those days as regards FS literature. The “vendetta” some critics insist is always present in his works is absent here; even his notorious arch enemy is referred to as a mild “crank or crackpot”.
Again in real life many associate Bolaji with a love for sports especially football, or the “gentleman who frequents taverns and shebeens” But incredibly in this book there is no reference to shebeens or taverns.
But even more striking is the absence of any reference to women in this book, in a romantic sense. No early loves, or crushes, no vision of loveliness over the years to serve as Muse, partner, lover or inspiration over the years. We know he is in no way gay, so are we really to believe that throughout his life Bolaji has been celibate, and had nothing to do with women?
And if we are mugs enough to believe this, where then does Bolaji get his impressive psychological insight into women from? How come he highlights the intricacies of men/women relationships so well in his fiction in a manner that even female critics have applauded?
Omoseye Bolaji’s latest book: “My life and Literature” is very interesting, so long as we accept that he’s writing about his love for literature, solely. As a teenage novelist we learn (from the book) that he was told by an expert: “You are very economical in your writing, but your ideas and pace are gripping” The same applies till date. Despite all the books published about his literary works, his own books, including this latest one, Omoseye Bolaji still remains an intensely private person.
September 30th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I ve read the book Bolajis latest book and i must say that it is a master piece,. From a point of view of a lady who knows Bolaji well it i clear that he did not intend to write about love affairs and shebeens, but his love for literature and his early experiences. But congrats for reviewing his new book so quickly.
October 1st, 2007 at 9:32 am
Ag! Mr Bolaji is full of surprises! Who will believe that I the “disciple” have not even seen, not to talk of, read this book? Must take care of this today
October 1st, 2007 at 9:59 am
Hmmm. I read the book over the weekend and its awesome. Our respected reviewer and critic here seems to have forgotten that Mr Bolaji actually devotes a whole page dedicating the book to his father, where he mentions his name.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:13 am
Since I have to seen the book myself, I will refrain from saying anything about it here or even comment on the reviewer’s tone which sound rather harsh I must say. But I will say this,”Egbon, You are as sauvé as ever in the attached picture. Proffesor,I’m trully proud.”
October 1st, 2007 at 11:17 am
Good news!! At last a “personal” glimpse of some one who assisted, inspired so many writers, but keeps himself on the background (almost like a saint). Bolaji belongs to the people, but also not. I’m waiting for my copy Chief…
October 1st, 2007 at 1:31 pm
A superb book indeed. Spent a few hours this morning reading the book. Certainly not as “gloomy” as reviewer claims. I am also happy taht am on the cover of the book together with the author!
October 1st, 2007 at 1:33 pm
A message from Mr Flaxman Qoopane here - he bought the book this morning and is enjoying reading it. Delighted that many pages of the book involve him (Qoopane)
Flaxman c/o Seleke
October 1st, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Mon Dieu. Mr Bolaji is indeed full of surprises. How could he have written and published a new book celebrating the Chancellor’s Award, when the event took place barely two weeks ago? And it is a fine quality book too! Over the weekend I was told he (Bolaji) was sick, now the big news is that his new book is out!
October 1st, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Delighted to see this. I certainly palyed my role in getting this here…
October 1st, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Congrats Bolaji. Needless to say I must get a copy too
October 1st, 2007 at 4:21 pm
i didn’t realise how captivating this new book was, until i had turned all the pages! I wish it could go on and on.
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:54 am
Congrats i cant wait to get a copy and starting reading (i am a young writer myself)
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:20 am
Quite an interesting book. The part on the fate of Kunle Apantaku is very touching. The book somehow reminds me of oranges and lemons…if you know what i mean.
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:23 pm
A fine book, “economical and racy” despite the fact that it’s about writing. And to say there is no humour there would be being economical with the truth!
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Not the most charitable of reviews. For example in his new book Bolaji is excited about the book he orchestrated to honour his father’s memory (page 21) - the book is titled The golden pen of Eselby. How then could Bolaji be accused of being detached?
October 4th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Most would agree that this review is not quite fair. There is no mention that Bolaji has published over 20 books for example - but scandalous claim that he’s “associated with shebeens”. The critic goes too far.
October 5th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
As someone who has known Bolaji for some seven years I am so happy about his progress as a writer. For me he has always been by far the best in our Province (Free State). Those books of his that I managed to read are very well written
October 5th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Hey Seye,congratulations.
I must get a copy of this book in Afghanistan.
But have you written about our days in Lagelu Grammar School(1974-1979)?
October 7th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Do we have to know everything about an author, maybe what they eat, their love life, hobbies etc? Only if the author wants to reveal this, methinks. Those critics - how many of Bolaji’s books have they read? How many books have they written themselves? I doubt whether even those who have published studies (books) on Bolaji have read more than ten of his works. This shows taht teh man deserves respect.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:24 am
An interesting read. For me, two omissions” stand out: Bolaji says nothing about how and why he wrote the book of literary appreciation - Molebogeng Alitta Mokhuoa; and in the same vein he does not mention Petro Schonfeld’s impressive critique, Tebogo on the prowl (on the Tebogo mysetry series)
October 10th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Pls correct the mistake in Mr Bolaji’s name in the second to the last paragraph of the review; it should be “BOLAJI”. Thanks…