Leke Giwa is a book reviewer, critic,
and especially known for his blog on books...
Q. How do you explain your love for books and writers;
and your blog in particular?
GIWA. It is funny, but even these days you
will always find writers or those who love books in every community, despite
being very much in the minority. As regards my blog on books, you must have
noticed that most of the reviews there are short; not long winded or tedious.
We just want the ordinary man or woman to enjoy books and appreciate the same.
I am happy that another thing is that all types of books, genres, are reviewed
there, books by Africans, books from overseas. No discrimination. And
also, as my critics often point out, most of the book reviews there are done by
others', not by me. Anybody can contribute.
Q. Are you thinking of writing a book yourself, or
putting a book together, maybe the many reviews on your blog?
GIWA: That's a possibility, though not a
priority right now. Blogs are fluid and fast, and still constitutes publication
in itself which people around the world can consult, read or use anytime. Also
note that many of my essays have been published in newspapers, journals,
on other blogs, and even in books; eg some of such essays were published in I M
Soqaga's book, Glimpses into African Literature.
Q. Who are your favourite writers, or books, over the
years?
GIWA: I love many of the old great
African works, though most of them are out of print now, and not easily
available. And it is a pity that books are now so expensive re new voices. But
I also spent some time in South Africa, where there is a very fine network of
books. I took the opportunity to read many books, there. I certainly read many
of the titles under the famous Heinemann series of the past, great African writers.
I read Lenrie Peters' The Second Round a number of times. And there were fine
works under the Pacesetter series too; I remember with great fondness a title
called Too Cold for Comfort, by Oguntoye. African writers have written so many
lovely works.
Some of us grew up worshipping the world of books and writers. It was not uncommon to hear in the past that "blacks can hardly write". But one soon knew this was a great lie, with the eminence of Achebe and Soyinka in my country, and worldwide. One began to dream of writing and publishing too, with diffidence, one might say. And one learns a lot from works written by female writers, and we should always respect them. I am delighted to be featured on the blog too.
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