Michael Afenfia: A Literary Voice of the Digital Age Set For Another Best Seller in _Rain May Never Know_

Michael Afenfia: A Literary Voice of the Digital Age Set For Another Best Seller in _Rain May Never Know_

“Only the very weak-minded
refuses to be
influenced by literature…”
– Cassandra Clare

The literary world, over the years, has witnessed various generational change from one ideological leaning such as Marxism, Realism, Romanticism, to others such as Modernism, Post-Modernism, Structuralism, Post-structuralism and
Deconstruction, to mention just a few trends. Same for writers and authors, who have learnt to perch or fly with the evolving socio-literary winds. In the words of Chinua Achebe, “since the hunter has learnt to shoot without missing, the birds have also learnt to fly without perching.” One prolific writer, in our present digital age, that has given credence to this classic proverb of Achebe, is Michael Afenfia.

Afenfia is the author of six novels, including, _Paxoid_ , a Children’s novel, which he co+authored with his son, Biboye Afenfia. In the space of a decade, he has made indelible imprints in the annals of classical literary writings. His robust adaptation of his works to suit the dynamism of contemporary realism, carves a niche of select readership for him, as one to reckon with.

From his curtain raiser, a decade ago, _When The Moon Caught Fire (2010) – a novel on the thematic preoccupation of slavery; to his sophomore piece, a year later, titled: – _A Street Called Lonely_(2011) – down to his third leap of faith, captioned:
– _Don’t Die on Wednesday_ (2015), which revolves on the uncommon theme of football; to his penultimate piece and block buster – _The Mechanics of Yenagoa_ (2020) – whose narrative comic twists and turns, give it away as a recreational masterpiece that triggers the buds of laughter in some hearts seeking solace in literature.

Afenfia has that rare touch of Ingenuity in his novels. The stories are woven in ways that endear them to readers, not just in structure and form, but in themes and titles, too. Adopting themes and styles that are not so common gives Afenfia’s literary pieces the needed push to compel readership without that compulsion of a distant fan.

From _When the Moon Caught Fire_ ( 2010), that recollects the vissisitudes of slavery to mankind, especially Africans, to _A Street Called Lonely_ (2011), which is a romantic thriller with vestiges of crime fiction in the style of Hardley Chase’s and Sydney Sheldon’s international masterpieces; and _Don’t Die on Wednesday_ (2015) which is a narrative on the intrigues of a professional soccer player. One thing is crystal clear in Afenfia – he delves into themes only a few good men can dare!

How else do we explain a narrative in the 21st century that recollects the slave routes and agonies in the present age where, many are pre-occupied in new forms of post colonial slavery in sex-trades, human trafficking, forced labour and so on as encapsulated in WTMCF? What about in DDOW? Who won’t be moved by the riveting tale of a goal getter told in fluid simple prose embellished with the creativity of a fastidious story teller? Clearly, these novel ideas lay bare the ingenuity of Afenfia, as a polymath of repute.

Needless to say that his piece, _The Mechanics of Yenagoa_ ,TMOY, (2020), emanated as a spontaneous weekly series on social media, where the the notorious escapades of Ebinimi, the Yenagoa mechanic, are narrated with jest and panache that keep readers pulsated and longing for more every week. His wide acclaim, has led to his adaptation from an online weekly series to a full fledged published novel by Masobe Books in 2020. The positive and captivating reviews by fans and favourable feed back, has made TMOY to also be adapted as a film and an international production is already in top gear to make it a block buster in the box office any moment soon.

As regards the successful impact of Afenfia’s TMOY, a reviewer recalls in these words:

“Michael Afenfia’s “The Mechanics of Yenagoa” is rip-roaringly hilarious, belly-deep laughter inducing, and chest-achingly funny. I laughed so much while reading the book that my partner told me they were going to leave me so I could marry the author (I’m not even kidding). The Mechanics of Yenagoa takes us on a vivid journey to the small but thriving city of Yenagoa where mechanic Ebinimi is either the most inept of individuals or the most guileless “guy-man” to ever walk the streets of the notorious south-south of Nigeria.”

Going by the success of his earlier works, Afenfia has pooled a cult like readership of fans looking forward to glean from his literary archives. Not just for the comic relief of his works, but also for the varied kaleidoscope of themes, titles and twists he brings on board.

Little wonder then Afenfia’s latest entrant – _Rain May Never Know_ – set for official release later this year, 2021, is already causing a stir amongst fans.

_Rain Can Never Know_ was also a weekly blog series just like its predecessor. As a series, it captivated the minds of readers all over the globe and now it has evolved into a novel. Making it all exciting for fans of the blog series who can now own and hold their own personal copies.

_Rain Can Never Know_ tells the story of Rain Tamuno, a brilliant young employee in Edozie Express, the largest construction company in the Niger Delta. Befriended by Chief Rowland Edozie, owner of the company. She experiences a meteoric rise in her career.

As her professional life flourishes, her personal life descends into turmoil. Forced to confront a traumatic episode from her past, Rain cannot come to terms with the fact that her mother chose her assailant over her. As she struggles to mend their fractured relationship, her relationship with David, her boyfriend, is threatened by her best friend, Annabel.

When sudden death occurs amid Chief Rowland Edozie’s quest for a diabolical solution to a life-threatening problem, Rain’s life is put at risk. As her world begins to crumble, she grapples with coming to terms with who her friends and foes are.

_Rain Can Never Know_ is an intriguing story of love, lust, secrets and betrayal. It is about family, friends and faith.

Michael Afenfia is also the author of When the Moon Caught Fire, A Street Called Lonely, Don’t Die on Wednesday, Paxoid and The Mechanics of Yenagoa.

Watch Michael’s first unboxing of __Rain Can Never Know_ with just a click to the Instagram post in: (https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSySKSXgLCv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link)

The soon-to-be-released book is published by Paperworths.

What does it entails? What thematic preoccupation would it explore – love, laughter, life, insecurities, insensitivity or be it the dynamics of politics or other socio-literary realities yet untold? Whichever it is, Afenfia comes with closed baggage waiting with wild fancies for readers seeking relief and respite from the very burden of life itself!

Amatare Mozimo is a book publisher and media mogul. He writes from Port Harcourt but based in Yenagoa.

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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