In celebration of Olukorede S. Yishau’s recently published novel, After the End, from Masobe Books, reviewers were invited by Afapinen to submit a review of the novel. They were looking for critical reviews that sought to engage and expand the appreciation of the novel. It is safe to say they found such reviews as they recently announced the winners of the competition, including JAY Lit Issue 7 contributor, Evidence Adjarho. The full list of winners is as follows:
- First prize: Ugochukwu Anadi
- Second prize: Sima Essien
- Third prize: Evidence Adjarho
The entries were judged by Tope-EniObanke Adegoke. Adegoke is a literary theorist and critic. He has a Wawa Book Review-Goethe Institut certificate in literary criticism and has written dozens of book reviews for Wawa Book Review and Africa in Words.
On each of the reviews, Adegoke had this to say:
“Anadi expanded the understanding of the novel with an engaging scholarly bent, critically balanced, situating the novel within the canon of African literature. The review is a craft on its own.
Essien’s review sheds light on catharsis as a creative device. In fact, we see his review as a response to concerns raised in Anadi’s. Essien demonstrates a good and positive understanding of the characters in the novel as he explores and highlights After the End.
Adjarho’s review shows an originality and compassionate understanding of the novel as it explores grief and the frailty of the human condition, driving her points home with rich analysis.”
The winners walk away with cash prizes as a well-deserved ode to their engaging reviews. All prizes are in Nigerian Naira.
- First prize:
N150,000 - Second prize:
N50,000 - Third prize:
N30,000
All the winning reviews will be published in Afapinen subsequently.
Congratulations to Ugochukwu, Sima, and Evidence!
Read more on the reviews here.
Bongiwe T. Maphosa
Bongiwe Maphosa is a budding author with a passion for storytelling. With her thought-provoking narratives, she takes her readers on a literary adventure. Bongiwe's works on the human condition from a fresh perspective have earned her recognition and publications in the Avbob Poetry Anthology of 2019, The Writer's Club of South Africa 2021, and JAY Lit in 2021. She hopes to cement her place in the literary community.
