LUPITA N'YONGO- ANOTHER STAR IS BORN

LUPITA N'YONGO- ANOTHER STAR IS BORN

In the spirit of black felicitation, I am happy to celebrate Kenya's child, Lupita N'yongo, whose sterling performance in the movie '12 Years  A Slave' earned her an Oscar award for Best Supporting Actress in this year's edition held some time ago. It is a rare recognition for a first time actress and a prime example of excellence for upcoming actresses of colors and shades.

Not having seen the movie yet I cannot speak frankly about her performance in it. But in the trailer of the movie I saw where she was strapped to a pole to be flogged at the insistence of her owner's wife, who also doubled as her contender for the owner's bed; I knew she'd shine in the movie like a Vega. It's ever a feat to simulate the burden of being a slave woman in the dark ages of America's racial past so for her to have role played a slave so perfectly is worthy of honor and recognition. I congratulate and celebrate her.

12 Years A Slave is a flick developed from the memoir of a man who was unfortunate to experience the darkness of slavery after being born free in America. Produced by Brad Pitt who also starred in it and featuring Chiwete Ejiofor , the Nigerian-British actor who put up an amazing performance, it is a movie for every one desirous of knowing about the black story in America. My amazon for this post, Lupita N'yongo supported Chiwete and others to make this movie a blockbuster and for this deserves our gratitude and celebration. Like she said at the awards "No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid".

Wishing her many years to shine and more laurels to earn.   

Aluta continua,

Wale Owoeye Esq.

PS: To the readers of my friends I am happy to announce to you that my book titled MANDELA-In Memoriam is available for downloads on amazon.com and all online book stores. Get a copy to celebrate Madiba in his eternal repose… 

AMERICANAH- CELEBRATING A LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT OF AN AMAZON

AMERICANAH- CELEBRATING A LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT OF AN AMAZON

I was so excited to hear the news of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's latest book 'Americanah' winning 2014 edition of National Book Critics Circle Award in far away US.  It came as another testament to her prowess as a writer and also as a validation of her contentions in the book. I have read her previous offerings with delight and couldn't be happier that this one excelled even her former works.

I have been following Ms. Adichie's literary development with critical eyes and she has consistently proved to be a master in her genre. She started out with an enchanting novel titled Purple Hibiscus, where she explored contemporary issues affecting post military Nigeria, with undertones of religious extremism and chauvinism explored. A remarkable debut that was shortlisted for numerous awards, she gave a promise of better works to come in the book and this promise was to be fulfilled in her following books.

Her next book, Half Of A Yellow Sun, literarily blew my mind. Written about the Biafra war, it is a book of immense historical value; modern and scintillating. In this book, Ms. Adichie created characters that glowed with strength and passion. My most favorite character in the book is the heroine, Olanna. Olanna became my vision of a black Juliet; beautiful, strong, independent but tragic sister. She gave the book a sensual magic that allures me still. I was joyed to know the book was later adopted into a Hollywood movie and I cannot wait to see the story acted out on the screen.  

Ms. Adichie next release was a collection of short story called 'The Thing Around Your Neck'.  I am still defaulting on this book and it is intentional. I read the book's review in a magazine though and the praises were glowing. I expected nothing less.  Ms. Adichie writes with passion and professionalism.

Back to Americanah, my reason for the blog post, I dare say it is the Nigerian book of the century. Very political and Nigerian in content, even though the setting alternates between US, UK and Nigeria, Americanah is a book that will move readers and excite literary connoisseurs.  As it is now native to Ms. Adichie, her characters, especially the heroine is another hot radical feminist who mirrors the complexities of being a Nigerian in Diaspora. Vocal, sexy and cosmopolitan, Ifemelu has joined Olanna as my virtual soul mate and my vision of a perfect African lady.

I am also excited by her uncanny gift at expatiation. Reading Americanah, you feel drawn in into the story, marveling at the way Ms. Adichie brings her book pages to life. She writes with Nigerian voice but cosmopolitan world view and I'm sure a lot of Nigerians of my age and time must be proud to share our country with this beautiful scribe. She's an icon of excellence to the coming generation and a woman of substance who ensures Nigerian story is heard all over the world. She's no doubt an ambassador of the Green Country and deserves our collective praise and honor.

For those who haven’t read the book yet I recommend Americanah without equivocation. It is a journey into the mind of a writer who has witnessed realities before and beyond the seas and who explores the critical issues with whimsical language. Like the writer once said in an interview after Purple Hibiscus got published to critical acclaim, Nigerians don't appreciate their own until validated by the US or Europeans.   Well, US Critics Circle just awarded Americanah the book of the year; first for a Nigerian and it calls for celebration. It is a testament to the merit of the book; as a entertaining, educative, historical and cultural medium of art. Go and read it for a lift.

Cheers!!

Aluta continua,

Wale Owoeye Esq.