Omoseye Bolaji is the author of an
astonishing 40 books or so; comprising fiction, poetry, literary essays,
biographies, drama, and other general works. In 2018 he published another new
Tebogo adventure, titled Tebogo and Uriah Heep.
Q. I was going through the book,
titled OMOSEYE BOLAJI, by Hector Kunene. What struck me most was that it
seemed so comprehensive and final with so many essays and critiques of your
many books. But then again, the book was published in 2010, and you have
published another new ten books since then!
Bolaji: (sighing) . I guess once one is alive,
one just finds oneself writing again and again! It's not really planned. Most
of the time, I do feel like it's over for me as a writer. I remember way
back in 2002 I really did feel that People
of the townships (published in 2003) would be my last book or
so...but...well...
Q. Which brings me to the Tebogo
Mokoena Mystery series which you started to write almost 20 years ago. After Ask Tebogo, you did not write any more
in the series till four years later. Then after Tebogo and the Bacchae came out in 2012, it did seem that would be
the very last adventure. But after many years, you published Tebogo and Uriah Heep this year (2018).
You say these things are not planned...
Bolaji: They
are not, they cannot...at least for me. Why was it that even in the case of a
great novelist like Chinua Achebe, the world had to wait for like 20 years
before he brought out another novel, Anthills
of the Savanna...following ...er, A
man of the people? As regards the
Tebogo series, I myself felt that Tebogo
and the Bacchae would probably be
the last one, especially as my health has been so poor for years now. Then
again, one would be worried about bringing out a new work much inferior to the
earlier ones. But anyway, even when I was not writing fiction, I managed to
write other things, like literary essays...
Q. Like one of your recent books, Cognoscenti, where you wrote on African
writers, their books, etc. It was the book that was reviewed by that European
Library...
Bolaji: No,
that was the book, Sorry you've been
Troubled that was reviewed from Europe. But pundits do say that both books
are similar anyway!
Mr. Bolaji sounds here as if he is embarrassed that he has published so many fine works! But then again, Chief Bolaji should be praised for his superb fecundity – and longevity – despite travails - in the world of Writing. Few African writers have achieved so much in so many genres, including fiction and literary criticism
ReplyDeleteOne has read so many long striking interviews with Mr Bolaji over the years that this one might come as something of an anti-climax. However it is up to date
ReplyDeleteWe should all continue to develop African writing, and not succumb to despair or needless nihilism
ReplyDeleteSome 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.
ReplyDelete(laughing) Why would Mr Bolaji be embarrassed 'cos he has published so many books? We should all be very proud of him. A magnificent role model, and selfless wordsmith.
ReplyDeleteYou have had an illustrious, incredible career in writing Mr Bolaji, and we are all so proud of you. We criticise you, but we look UP UP to you!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely this is not Mr Bolaji at his best, but I guess one can only answer the questions one is asked. But Mr Bolaji is a great icon, and countless material on him already exists – for many years
ReplyDeleteThe book of Bolaji’s I enjoyed most is It Couldn’t Matter Less. It is a lovely work that can not really be categorized, apart from saying it comprises many many short pieces. It you wish, you might call them essays, or vignettes, reminiscences, reflections, or even “stories”; but I think it is fair enough to say it is non-fiction. I think it is an outstanding work - among his dozens of books
ReplyDeleteThe book of Mr Bolaji’s I enjoyed most by far is IMPOSSIBLE LOVE, a fantastic novel. The author was quite young when he wrote the book and you can see the many elements of sentimentality and sweet love that runs through the work. His Tebogo Fails has some elements of romance too…that is how detective Tebogo met his wife!!
ReplyDeleteThe book of Mr Bolaji’s I enjoyed most by far is IMPOSSIBLE LOVE, a fantastic novel. The author was quite young when he wrote the book and you can see the many elements of sentimentality and sweet love that runs through the work. His Tebogo Fails has some elements of romance too…that is how detective Tebogo met his wife!!
ReplyDeleteWe are happy that Mr Bolaji was around to celebrate another birthday some days ago. Well done
ReplyDeleteMr Bolaji, respected author of the Tebogo Mystery series. I was lucky enough to read an early edition of his very latest book, Calamity Angst (2020) over the Christmas period. I wish everybody a Happy New Year in advance
ReplyDeleteMr Bolaji, respected author of the Tebogo Mystery series. I was lucky enough to read an early edition of his very latest book, Calamity Angst (2020) over the Christmas period. I wish everybody a Happy New Year in advance
ReplyDelete