Wednesday, May 20, 2015

THE LABOURS OF AUTHORS, EDITORS...



By Leke Giwa  

The world of writing, typing, editing books has been going on for a long time, even in Africa - though of course the western world started centuries ago.  

 But the basics are still the same. I am fascinated with what T.S Elliot (pix below) said about the "labours" of the author - "The larger part of the labour of an author in composing his work is critical labour; the labour of sifting, combining, constructing, expunging, correcting, testing, (this is a) frightful toil...".  



For me this is an attitude that reveals a serious approach to writing, even before editors or specialized readers come in. It is an open secret that many writers, especially academics, are often unhappy with the input of editors in their work; with the inevitable enforced changes and seeming disruptions.

In the African context, a Western editor from a different background might completely change or even remove certain idioms and proverbs written by the African author, which might make such a writer shudder; make him/her believe that the work has been violated and undermined. 

Apparently Africa's most famous novel, Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe, was lucky enough to have had a broad-minded, sympathetic editor originally. Hence presumably the bulk of special ideas, conversations, syntax, of the society were left as originally written by the author - for the world to appreciate.  

I have heard it suggested that with the best editors, the original author would hardly notice how much hard work has gone into making his work much better - the author would still feel that the book is his/hers.

Such editors would largely concentrate on grammar, spelling, punctuation - for example we "pensmiths" might not know it everytime, but depending on the context of whatever we write there are tremendous differences when we write/spell similar-sounding words like "thought/taught" "quiet/quite" "though/thou" "renown" "renowned" amongst hundreds of other common words and phrases. The professional editor will easily correct such mistakes.

Publishers are aware that a perfectly written and delivered manuscript - no matter how superb the author is - is more or less impossible; hence the importance of editors to make the work better, and even guide the writer.        

If Amos Tutuola's The Palmwine Drinkard had been comprehensively edited, even re-written to fit in with the style of the western world, it would have lost its identity completely as an African story or novel. (Yet some African writers try to write to please western audiences, and end up as losers in the end). 


T.S Elliot, one of the shining lights of western literature is in essence very right - the author must do all they can to produce a near-perfect work; that would not need too much editorial work or revision by others.    

By the same token, in the African context, such a literary work even after the input of others, should still have a convincing African atmosphere that should nonetheless appeal to the universal general reader...

Friday, May 15, 2015

VICTOR THORPE (Nigerian author)


Victor Thorpe wrote and published a series of brilliant, well-plotted African thrillers. The inherent, spontaneous humour running through these works always stand out, almost undermining the sophisticated language, and polished erudition embedded in these enduring novels. Thorpe's books include The Worshippers, The Instrument, and Stone of Vengeance.
















Thursday, May 14, 2015

ISIDORE OKPEWHO...




Author Okpewho "...succeeded in portraying characters whose individual identities are distinct from those of the communities"



THE VICTIMS. "For the first time in African literature, the theme of polygamy has been raised to the grandeur of tragedy" (excluding the supernatural)


Friday, May 1, 2015

SURVIVE THE PEACE - By Cyprian Ekwensi




"While some black men begin to rule they become too greedy. They eat and fill their stomachs and the stomachs of their brothers. This is not enough for them. They continue till their throats are filled. And that too is not enough. They have food in their stomachs and in their throats and they go on till their mouths are full and then proceed to fill their bags. But no one else outside their families and their tribe must partake of this food. This is what brings the trouble in Africa. So, I want to rule, so as to have my share. You want to rule to have your share. Then we start killing ourselves..."

Pa Ukoha in Cyprian Ekwensi's Survive the peace