Helene Oyeyemi Interview

Helene Oyeyemi has now published her third novel; she seems to have now established a niche in the macabre genre. Anyway, this is an interested interview granted to Ben Machell.
ENJOY

Nollywood, Nolly what?

Please take time to read if you love the Nigerian mind.

In a deep, soul-searching essay, Eddie Iroh provides an analysis of Nigerian home-video production, otherwise known as Nigerian film industry, or Nollywood. The problem with Nollywood, says Eddie Iroh, is not quit different from that of Nigeria: the love of mediocrity, living in illusion of grandeur because of the failure to compare oneself with the best in the world; the refusal to aim for excellence.
I so love this essay that I posting a link in every blog that I have a control over.
ENJOY!

Jude Dibia - An exciting interview

At the European Association for Commonwealth Language and Literature conference held in Venice in March, 2008, I recommended Jude Dibia's Walking With Shadows to a French professor colleague of mine, interested in Gay/Lesbian stories in Nigeria. I hadn't read the book then (haven't done it even now - shame). But I was highly fascinated by the fact that somebody plucked the courage to write about that very issue in Nigeria. Kudos, Kudos. I stumbled upon this exciting interview by the author while I was searching for his novel on Amazon. Very deep thought. I am in awe.
Read the interview and order the book. ENJOY

Endurance tests: Aminatta Forna finds melancholy and disappointment in Adichie's short stories

Aminatta Forna thinks that Adichie's short story collection is not as brilliant as her novel. I remember that Forna has some issues with Petina Gappah's collection as well. Interesting. Something is going on here. I am however compelled to read Forna's own work.
Anyway, here is her review. ENJOY!

I Do Not Come To You By Chance

Written by Ikhide R. Ikheloa
I Do Not Come to You by Chance
by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
Publisher: Hyperion
416pp

This is an interesting review, I should actually say review-essay, of a book whose author I have already fallen in love with. Boy, hope this doesn't get me into trouble. But believe me, I read Tricia Adaobi Nwaubani's interview on African Writing Online and fell for her. She's got a strong, independent mind. And then adding my favorite reviewer's adulation of her work, my, oh my, I'm dying to get hold of the book.

By the way, read the whole review HERE.

Tales of Freedom by Ben Okri: review

Another review of Ben Okri's latest, Tales of Freedom. Lucy Daniel seems to believe that Okri is becoming way too "magicky," too dreamy and very little to do with reality.
Well ENJOY

The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Lindsay Duguid thinks that some of Adichie's stories lack the brilliance of her novels. She suspects that some of the characters appear stereotypical. Oh, well, here is Lindsay in her own words. ENJOY!

The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Review

Jane Shilling finds Adichie's collection, The Thing Around Your Neck, compelling. She things that the only complaint is that some of the stories are so strong you want them to keep going. I like that.
Well, enjoy Shilling's review.

Small Talk: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I just chanced on this mini-interview given by Adichie. There isn't really anything new for those of us who've been following her closely - stalking her literally.
But well, I just remembered a line by John Keats: A thing of beauty is a joy for ever!
Enjoy

Nothing around their feet

Tolu Ogunlesi has a great review of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's newest offering, The Thing Around Your Neck.
Tolu, like many Naija men, have fallen for Chimamanda. I swear he loves her - and who doesn't? Well, here is part of what he has to say.
"These are also stories that push the boundaries and surprise at every turn; stories of ordinary humans living (mostly) ordinary lives of quiet desperation and responding in ways that surprise them and us. There is a satisfying absence of melodrama and “odd world” surprises in them."

I like Tolu. We're sure to hear much about him in the next years. Well, read the review and see what I'm talking about. ENJOY