It was a great day for book lovers! Since yours practically consumes the stuff, I was on hand to listen to Lola Shoneyin, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Seye Oke, Joy Bewaji and Simi Dosekun read excerpts from their books, answer questions and socialise.

I was a tad late as I just found out about the event on twitter (I later discovered that I had received a text message that got lost somewhere in ether!) but I arrived as the proceedings were getting underway. The hall was relatively empty and with the African timing in force…I was one of the first on the scene. I arrived as Lola Shoneyin was taking her place on the panel; Prof Akachi and Seye Oke were already seated. A few minutes later Simi Dosekun and Joy Bewaji joined them.

Each author read from their work and the reading was as diverse as they come! Prof Akachi’s reading from Roses and Bullets was violently vivid, a rape of one of the novel’s protagonists. It took us to the era of Biafra and all its complexities. We were introduced to Ms Shoneyin’s favourite wife (Iya Femi), from the Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. Seye Oke gave us a glimpse of the heart-break awaiting the major female character in her book, A Time to Heal. Joy Bewaji completed the quorum and introduced us to a divorcee that left her husband as a result of abuse, as told from her neighbours perspectives; we know how that goes!

The authors infused life into them and gave a glimpse of some of their thoughts during the creative process. We were transported to the various realities and got under their skins for the short ten minutes allotted for the reading. It certainly piqued my interest and found me making furious calculations to discover how many books I would cart away.

Miss Dosekun opted not to read, preferring rather to answer questions instead. She gave us insight into how publishing houses may arrive at decisions that are purely business-related and the fact that publishing is not as lucrative as it might seem. The industry is faced with its fair share of piracy and illegal operators that pose a daunting challenge, with no easy solution in sight.

To say I enjoyed it immensely would be stating the obvious. However, this telling would not be complete if I did not regale you of my close encounter of the worst kind. Up close and too personally, I had the utter displeasure of a private viewing; the very unpleasant sight of a pair of boxers blatantly exposed and within three inches of my face! There was no way of escape…he was leaning and totally focused on taking photographs of the authors. Official matters could not be tampered with in a bid to spare me this ghastly sight. Thus, I had unrestricted access of seven full (excruciatingly slow!) minutes of perusing the army green, lined boxer shorts half-way down his butt. (The two views forced upon me can be found in the glimpses section of this blog under the titles fashion can get ugly and fashion can get ugly1.) It certainly reminded me that we have to take the smooth with the rough as it occurs in life!

I certainly did not miss the opportunity to take photographs, chat and generally rub shoulders with the literati. In all, two and a-half hours well spent discussing books, books and yet more books, sheer bliss! I was not remiss to enrich my library and purchase for myself the added (and continued) pleasure of more adventures with words.

Lola Shoneyin & Simi Dosekun	Seyi Olanihun & Seye Oke (Author of A Time to Heal)
Seyi Olanihun & Simi Dosekun (Author of Beem Travels Africa)	Seyi Olanihun & Joy Isi Bewaji (Author of Eko Dialogue)
Seyi Olanihun, Seye Oke & Sola Oke-Osinubi	Tony Kan (Author of Nights of the Creaking Bed) & Seyi Olanihun
Lola Shoneyin (Author of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives) & Seyi Olanihun

Title – Vigilante
Author – Robin Parrish
Unpublished Manuscript – 247pages

The title of Robin Parrish’s latest work almost gives the book away. It predisposes the reader to expect action, crime, crime-fighting and crime-fighters too! Robin doesn’t disappoint in any of these aspects as he keeps us on the edge from the onset. Intense anticipation, excitement, and anxiety were suffered by this particular reader for the duration of the book.

Our introduction to the protagonist immediately involves a puzzle and raises questions. My curiosity about Nolan Gray was piqued and further enhanced when some insights of his shared past and relationship with the Commander-in-Chief of the United States was introduced. On the other hand the recollections of his old commanding officer and current partner, Aaron Branford further shed light and gave us the reason for his chosen path. We discover a man of contradictions, compassion and vulnerability but also a damaged individual.

The team that supports Gray is small but diverse: Branford has a military background and Arjay Thale provides technological knowledge and sophistication, an all male team sharing the same perspective. Enter Alice Regan to shake things up a bit and also align with Nolan’s values, something absent until her debut.

The villain of the piece, Yuri Vasko shrewdly pieced together our hero’s path despite it being in its nascent stage. His powers of observation and adaptability, something we would see evolve as their paths crossed. The entrance of other characters authorised to wage an onslaught against crime brought an interesting development. They were catalysts that triggered the face-off between hero and villain.

Vigilante is a classic tale of good versus bad cum hero against villain. The point at which it deviates is when the hero/villain are superimposed and when doing good seems to be bad itself. This war is waged on many fronts, foremost of which is within our hero himself. There is no resolution of past experiences that propelled him to act. Some questions raised are left unanswered, especially when he does not confront these issues.

This book is fast paced with unexpected twists and surprising turns, when you least expect! Robin Parrish carefully banks the flames and weaves the story at a more sedate pace as it unravels. By so doing, he keeps the reader from imploding and makes us turn yet another page. We encounter several crossroads with the different characters and the inevitable challenge between those on the same side.

I was not fully satisfied with Mr. Parrish’s treatment of our hero’s demons. His issues were suspended and left unresolved. As this is still an unpublished manuscript, I hold out the hope that the finished work will clear the air for me in this regard, but even if it does not turn out the way I want, I still enjoyed the read.

Vigilante is for those that enjoy complex characters, fast paced action and pertinent questions with no ready answers. It doesn’t provide easy answers and you may also disagree with questions that were raised along the way too. This is certain to be a solid favourite of established Parrish fans and will hold pride of place in their bookshelves.

(Robin Parrish read this review and had this to say! – ‘Wow, that’s a great review! Very thoughtful, not just regurgitating the usual stuff, which I appreciate. Thanks!’)

Vigilante is out in stores and  available for sale so go and get your copy!