Date: 25 February 2012
Book N Gauge IX: Nine and Still Counting
Eight editions of Book n Gauge gone; and we’re still counting … The ninth edition is here! Book n Gauge is hosted by PulpFaction Book Club, in collaboration with Debonair Bookstore, Yaba, Lagos, and Wordsmithy Media. Book n Gauge IX: Nine and Still Counting would feature 1 author: El-Nukoya; and 2 performers: Nayo Soul and Razaq Ivori. The title of El-Nukoya’s book, Nine Lives, shares the similarity “9” with the slogan of this ninth reading. It’s definitely more than a coincidence!
Book n Gauge 9: Nine and Still Counting would feature:
El-Nukoya, Author of Nine Lives
El-Nukoya has written what literary critics describe as “an authentic Nigerian blockbuster” and a “riveting page turner.” The idea to put his thoughts on paper came in 1990 when he moved with his family to a quiet suburban neighbourhood in Lagos, Nigeria. “In my solitude, great rock and rap music lyricists such as Seal, Sting, Bono and Tupac Amaru Shakur brought me companionship. Inspired by their talent, I felt an urge to create something that was universal and timeless. The prevailing socio-political situation in Nigeria provided me with a virile subject. It was six years before I could pause,” El-Nukoya.
El-Nukoya did his first degree in Lagos, and graduate studies in North America. He currently lives and works in Lagos.
SYNOPSIS OF NINE LIVES
Olupitan Ogunrinu – bright and handsome but of humble pedigree – battles to assert himself within the social segregation of an elite university community. As he struggles with the moral contradiction, corruption and frivolity around him, he resolves not to be a victim in the predatory race to success, even when the immediate battle to belong seems lost.
A brilliant mind and rugged determination keep Olupitan’s aspirations in focus, until distraction comes in the form of Tolani Badmus, a pretty, intelligent lady, born with silver spoon, who falls in love with him against all the odds. Olupitan was soon to compromise his fiery ambition in a perpetual struggle to sustain his fragile, unnatural romance; and the relationship blossoms, or so it seems, until a revelation of deceit leads to heartbreak, near-failure and desperation. As Olupitan wallows in malaise; cultism beckons … The consequences are devastating.
Olupitan finds escape in America; but also squalor, loss of dignity and, eventually, illicit wealth. Wealth came with new ambitions, a quest for vengeance and a new destination, Lagos. Death, however, is an unintended factor in this game, prowling him as he wades through the murky waters of vanity, hatred and self-destruction
Nine Lives captures the historical culture of the Nigerian people and the new culture as evolved through decades of social hardship, corruption and misrule.
BLURBS
“A totally riveting page-turner, El~Nukoya weaves a moral tale and takes you on a journey across decades of Nigerian culture.”
– Joy Joses, National Magazine, UK
“That rare thing; an authentic Nigerian blockbuster.”
– Adewale Maja-Pearce, writer and editor
“A thrilling saga about settling scores. Olupitan Ogunrinu, moved by discrimination and mockery, sets out to make good, in defiance of society’s rigid boundaries, making friends and foes on his journey. Bad judgment and grave miscalculations narrow his choices… a cornered soul in search of an outlet, he turns bad, but recovers in time to find victory - by all means - and set himself on a new path to vengeance. An episode on the human quest for triumph, the intertwining lives, loves and hates make for a macabre tale. A hip and contemporary yarn, this novel grips you from the very first and doesn’t let up until the last revelatory page.”
– Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, writer and poet
“A powerful story! El~Nukoya is a very descriptive writer and I found myself visualising the scenes – especially the ones in Nigeria.”
– Gordon Barnhart, USASK, Canada
“A great piece of literary work…assuredly the pioneer of yet greater works to come. Surprisingly exciting and captivating.”
– Lakunle Lijadu, New York lawyer
“A masterpiece!”
– Charles Iyoha, publisher, Futureline magazine
PERFORMING
Nayo Soul >>>> Soul/Jazz singing sensation. 'NΑYÒ Soul, the lawyer, vocalist and songwriter, born Odunαyo Ayorinde, is a natural beauty, blessed with a voice that is part angel and part siren. The 25-year-old prodigy might well be the new face of soul music in Nigeria.
NΑYÒ started performing live as a teenager at age 19, which soon grew to regular performances. She has recorded three songs – Unconditional Love, Destiny Train and Rhythm of the Sound. Her music is earthy, light, melodic, joyful, and almost airborne. Although she stumbled on soul/jazz music by accident, she has however become addicted to the voice, instrumentation and arrangement of the music. Some of her influences include: Janelle Monae, Corrine Bailey Rae, Adele Adkins, India Arie, Lauryn Hill, Chrisette Michele, Jill Scott, Pink and newly discovered, Esperanza Spalding.
Razaq Ivori >>>> Spoken Word Artiste. He is a prolific writer whose career was launched by writing as “a ghost pen”, in the form of biographies, for the rich and famous. Razaq Ivori graduated from Ahmadu Bello University and the Institute of Journalism. He has two unpublished works in the offing: The Sperm, a Sci-Fi African drama piece and The Adventures of Illinick. He longs to bring back the art of the quintessential town crier poetic semantics which he dubs “narrative news”—a system where actual news content is infused in free flowing prose rendition like the Yoruba “ewi”, though delivered in English yet not without the characteristic melodic chant of the past. For six months, Ivori premiered this art at the Bogobiri House, ikoyi, where some said the uproar it generated prompted the proprietors to establish a full scale stage house next door for performance poetry.
Also expect:
• Book Reading Session
• Book Auction
• Live Performances: Music and Spoken Word
• Book signing
• Freebies, lots of it. Let’s start with this. Invite five friends, ensure they come for the event and win a free book.
TIME: 2pm – 5pm
VENUE: Debonair Bookstore, 294, Herbert Macaulay Way, Sabo, Yaba.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: pulpfactioner@gmail.com
Website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/pulpfactionclub/