AMAKA AZIE

By Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga (South Africa)    

The genre of Romance in literature is not actually something nascent in literature. It is part and parcel of literary genre that has been enjoyed with great appreciation by many people in the world for centuries.

However, the blatant mistake committed in some circles for donkey years is when literary romance is associated only with white people! This type of concept contributed in misleading and giving a wrong impression about the central meaning of literature, associating Africa in particular with dark deeds and feelings.

Yes of course romance writers over the decades have flourished successfully in Europe and United States. The romance books which these writers have produced have received wonderful appreciation both by general readers and by literary pundits (think the Mills and Boon series; or even Barbara Cartland)

Imperatively some literary pundits have even offered their literary appraisal to promote romance literature.
As far as the world is concerned there is written evidence that shows that literary romance used to be relished with glee by the Greeks when the world was not accustomed to formal written language. In Europe over the year’s, books like Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte to name but few are regarded as romance literature. This is how the Europeans have viewed their literary development and it is really inspiring. Yet in similitude Africa has also exquisite romance writers who produce stupendous romance literature.

In Africa where communities are deeply immersed in tradition and religion one might even tentatively
surmise that aspects of literary romance are possibly not tolerated. That in such communities any attempts by any African writer to propagate literary romance will obviously trigger turbulence which might even lead to violence upheaval or a writer will unfortunately be labeled as "iconoclastic".

In fact, this is a sheer delusion cum hypocrisy which emanated from colonial mentality which used to suffuse
lies that Africans are not different from animals! Africans are not animals and they too have feelings like any other human beings in the world. None can exclude the pleasure of love and relationships from any mortal being. It is no longer stupefying today to see the world experiencing interracial romantic affairs blossoming with great enthusiasm. Dramatically the proverbial sensuous romantic features like love and relationships are not neologism words among African people.

These  cognate sexual connotations  are not surreal to Africans; for millenniums and centuries, Africans indulged in love and relationships like elsewhere in the world. Therefore, the dimensions of literary romance in modern times underpin what existed for many years between men and women in love and exhilarating relationships. In essence, one needs to ponder that African communities have evolved from the period of ancient times where aspects of love and relationship were strictly organized and guided by the elders until colonial control wrought havoc in the very same tribal formidable organization.

Today Africa has big modern cities which have a strong influence on people’s lives. The potent of
education and technology also has a perennial impact that is appealing to the ordinary people and the society in general. Therefore, things need to improve and accommodate us; Africans themselves need to play a leading role to advance anything pertinent to their lives. For instance, Romance literature in Africa must be
the product of Africans which reflects African romance.

It is therefore gratifying that the award-winning Nigerian/African literary Romance writer,  Amaka Azie has
done exceptionally well in illustrating her literary deft with great enthusiasm and prolificacy. In her fascinating literary journey, she has brilliantly resolved and firmly promotes romance literature with profound vigor.

Nevertheless, her romance writing cannot be interpreted as parochial because in her writing, African characters are vividly dazzling. Imperatively she is an internationally recognized romance African writer who is proud about her African people. Her extraordinary didactic literary dexterity which she employs in
her writing does endow the world with the knowledge that Africans do engage in love and relationships.

Amaka Azie has been an avid reader and writer since from her teen years. Over the years especially in her
school days she used to mesmerize her peers in school and her teachers with her magical literary flair. It cannot be disputed that she is enamoured with romance literature and from the onset she has shown her fervent passion about African romance that she embellishes by depicting African characters in her romance writing.

By her own account, it was a fillip to her after a long search when subsequently she discovered African romance writers like Helen Ovbiagele of the Pacesetter fame. In one of her interviews she explicitly stated that “she wants to be a part of brave authors showcasing that romance occurs in Africa too. The continent is not only riddled with poverty, wars and political instability. Africans fall in love too."

Inevitably, modern Africa needs writers who can steer their society to somewhat delineate certain day to day aspects of life like love and relationships with creative significant meanings.

Romance literature has inspired guidance so that it can be imbibed with gusto. For instance, when one reads a romance literature one is obviously expecting to be inspired by the heroine's reaction and by the chivalrous depiction of a hero-that can be fascinating.  Features like kissing, touching and sex cannot be avoided in romance literature. Literary romance can show the beauty of love and its myriad repercussions. It can also give vivacious sense of didactic teaching where male characters will be expected to be courtly to the damsel.

Moreover, the world cannot avoid the reality of love and relationships. We are living in a world where
our society is becoming recalcitrant, refusing to conform to normal decent societal behaviors. Gruesome acts such as rape, sexual abuse, divorce, sardonic sexual behavior and neophyte sexual relationship which
sometimes end up in unwanted pregnancies are very dire issues that now ravage our societies . Specifically, it cannot be expected that literary romance can be a panacea to societal problems, however to show noteworthy interest in reading romance can provide understanding on issues of love and relationship.

Key African romance writers like Dr. Amaka Azie deserve to be commended for their sterling efforts in endowing the world with pertinent African romance literature that is relished with fascinating passion. Azie in particular continues to garner lots of praise for her powerful plots and settings, convincing characterization, and denouements. Already, there are dozens of perceptive, positive reviews of her work on goodreads (website), for example. Here is a scintillating African writer who can walk with head held high! 

BOOKS BY AMAKA AZIE    

 Thorns and Roses 

The Governor's Wife

Melodies of Love

 The Senator's Daughter

Love At First Sound. 

Starting Over Again