ISBN 9789789180158
Pages 178
Dimensions 210 x 148 mm
Published 2011
Publisher Kraft Books, Nigeria
Format Paperback

Poetics of Rage

A Reading of Remi Raji's Poetry

by Sule E. Egya

This study explores the nationalist imagination, artistic philosophy and the overtly political dimension of Remi Raji’s poetry. It is an attempt to construct a sustained critical discourse on Raji’s ongoing body of works. Raji is one of the major poetic voices on the Nigerian literary scene today. With the publication of his first collection, A Harvest of Laughters, in 1997 Raji has continued to strengthen his craft and vision through subsequent volumes: Webs of Remembrance (2000), Shuttlesongs: America – a Poetic Guided Tour (2003), Lovesong for My Wasteland (2005); and Gather My Blood Rivers of Song (2009). Evidently he has attained poetic maturity and, given the frequency of his output, is set to realise a fulfilled poetic career. His maturation thus far through these five volumes deserves a major critical assessment, and a possible prediction for the direction of his artistic vision.

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Review

"To present a new poet in such a feast of criticism requires skills, courage, confidence, and more. Dr Egya’s effort is an important contribution to the ongoing discourse of the social relevance of new writing in Africa. "

Gboyega Kolawole, Associate Professor of English, University of Abuja

About the Author

Sule E. Egya

Sule E. Egya is associate professor in the Department of English, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria. His research interests include the intersection of literature and politics in Africa, feminism, cultural studies, and ecocriticism. He is the author of Poetics of Rage: A Reading of Remi Raji's Poetry, The writings of Zaynab Alkali and In Their Voices and Visions: Conversations with New Nigerian Writers. He is also a creative writer. His novel Sterile Sky won the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize for the Africa Region. His poetry volumes include What the Sea Told Me (winner of the ANA Gabriel Okara Prize), Naked Sun, and Knifing Tongues.

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