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Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? - Literature - Nairaland

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Wole Soyinka: "InterInventions", My New Book Will Draw Blood / Wole Soyinka Receiving The Nobel Prize In 1986 (picture) / Wole Soyinka Or Chinua Achebe: Who Is A Better Writer? (2) (3) (4)

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Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Ajisafe: 7:53am On Nov 06, 2005

WOLE SOYINKA is a world class novelist, dramatist, playwright, and nobel laureate. He has lectured and taught the native speakers of English language their literature at universities all over the world. And he continues to teach as a visiting professor in some of the best universities (Ivy Leagues) in America. He was the first Black ever to win the much-coveted Nobel Laurel prize in literature in 1986.

CHINU ACHEBE is a fine writer of highest order. His book Things Fall Apart has made him into a household name worlwide especially in the United States where it's religiously studied at colleges. He also lectures and gives speeches internationally; also, he has won some awards.

Without giving in to the ugliest of our societal ills, ethnocentrism (Soyinka being Yoruba and Achebe being Ibo), let us be frank and say which of these two colossi is the better writer. Methinks, Wole Soyinka. What say you all? smiley

smiley

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by ldollier(f): 7:51pm On Nov 06, 2005
chinua achebe

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Bibi(m): 8:41pm On Nov 06, 2005
The bitter rivalry between the two does not make either qualify. Also I believe a lot of people will vote on tribal lines on this. If indeed we are looking for best African Authors, we have to look beyond these two, they are surely African authors, but neither is Africa Best.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Ajisafe: 8:46pm On Nov 06, 2005
@Bibi, are you saying the two don't like each other personally? If so, I never knew that.

And I agree with you that some nincompoops will vote along a tribal line!

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by omogenikky(f): 10:10pm On Nov 06, 2005
i think they are both good. they write diff genres so there is no yardstick for comparison. they are both great nigerian writers. infact since achebe's books are used in high schools in the US, more people know achebe than soyinka.
FYI, am yoruba........... smiley

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Ajisafe: 10:48pm On Nov 06, 2005
@Omogenikky, just because Achebe's Things Fall Apart is widely read in America does not make him a better writer than Soyinka. Some people are intimidated by the way Soyinka's books make you think and become more intelligent. Achebe writes mostly for little children, which was OK for me when I started learning the language of English, while Soyinka's writings intimidate even the Englishman himself. By the way, have you read any of Soyinka's books? And, mind you, Americans sometimes have to be told the difference. They don't know better! And you being a Yoruba doesn't mean that you appreciate your countryman's ability; many Yoruba don't. Please, acquaint yourself with Soyinka's writings. The man is a genius! After all, who won the Nobel Prize?

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by texazzpete(m): 11:30pm On Nov 06, 2005
Chinua Achebe writes for kids? I'm surprised at how the fact that they can soldier through Soyinka's books make people feel they have stratospheric IQs. you have to wonder, doesnt the fact that Achebe's novels are more accessible make him a better choice for people worldwide? why write for only a select few? so you can pat yourself on the back and call yourself a hero? a genius?
as for the comment on the nobel prize, that was the most brainless thing ive seen all day. Did their books come out in the same year? did they go up against each other?
Tupac never won a grammy. that means he's one of the worst rappers of all time, right?
pleae, be proud that they are both Nigerians and good at what they do. Achebe couldnt have written soyinka's books if he tried. and Soyinka couldnt have come up with Things Fall Apart in a million years.
Writes for little children? When your kids are three to 5 years old, please give them Arrow of God and Things Fall Apart to read, okay?
Dunno what you've been smoking, mate, but roll me some too! grin

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Ajisafe: 11:57pm On Nov 06, 2005
@Texazzpete or whatever you called yourself, there's no need for you to be insulting. You are welcome to discuss intelligently! Soyinka is a well rounded genius -- a poet, dramatist, playwright, writer, author, producer, director, inventor (invented the Oyo state of Nigeria's Road Safety Corps that later became a national sceme), human rights activist and so on. These are some of the characteristics of a living hero. A genius! Robust. Well-rounded. And multi-dimentional. Your hero, Achebe, will  pray to even go near Soyinka's record. Or, maybe, you're one of those Americans who don't know any better! And if the Nobel Prizes are that easy to come by why hasn't your hero, Achebe, garnered one till date? Or, maybe, you can show me your own. If you're an African, you have gone gaga! If you're an American, worse still, shame on you because this African, who was born to speak Yoruba, has "re-invented" your language for you. You cannot touch him! You're the dopehead, I'm not!

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by texazzpete(m): 12:33am On Nov 07, 2005
splendid reply, too much passion, too little logic.
im Nigerian. 'nuff said about that!
i didnt call Achebe my hero. All i said was he's an accomplished and world reknowned writer. Pray to go near soyinka's record? he's a genius in his own right!!
look, im not dissing here. and yes, i dont have and will probably never have a nobel prize. who cares?
please, tell me how soyinka has reinvented the english language. By adding a few words? by endless verbosity anf foggy writing? how many words has he added to the english dictionary and how pervasive and popular are the words? Crap!!
I am not a poet or playwright. Im not soyinka but unlike you im someone who's relatively young with the future before me. its possible I may save the world. you never know. I dont blindly hero worship like u.
The works of shakespeare are not difficult to read and understand. and he did far far better than ur precious hero without alienating a section of literate people. why should nay rational human being be proud that his writings confound all but the most determined people?
Inventor? that's called pioneering, man. you dont 'invent' a corps so you can take that feather out of his cap ASAP.
by the way: Nobel prizes aren't the benchmark. touching lives is. why dont u set your target at that.
finally, yeah i aint got no nobel prize. but i got something many many past winners would dearly love to have.
YOUTH
I love logical arguments. Bring it on!!
PS: I apologize if you found that dope crack offensive.i was aiming at humor. obviously i failed. Mayhap your soyinka can teach me english?

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Ajisafe: 12:50am On Nov 07, 2005
@Texazzpete, apology accepted.

But why are you flaunting your youth? Is that a logical discourse? Remember, egg hatches into a cock. The older the wiser! A world of advise though, respect your elders. Wole Soyinka is like a great-grandfather to you, don't insult him. Please, the man has done enough for you to be calling yourself a proud Nigerian.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by damygurl(f): 1:07am On Nov 07, 2005
they r both good writers!!!!

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by damygurl(f): 1:11am On Nov 07, 2005
texazzpete:

but i got something many many past winners would dearly love to have. YOUTH
umm just wondering why would diz great writers wo have lived their youths well and r remebered 4 da stuff they did wanna have their youth back?
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Ajisafe: 1:15am On Nov 07, 2005
@damygurl, I don't understand for Texazzpete oooo!
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by omogenikky(f): 1:27am On Nov 07, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i think they are both good. they write diff genres so there is no yardstick for comparison. they are both great nigerian writers. infact since achebe's books are used in high schools in the US, more people know achebe than soyinka.
FYI, am yoruba

Oh my, do u mind rereading my post, ajisafe. I have read practically all of Soyinka's books and Achebe's books and what I simply said is they write differently and just mentiioned the fact that Achebe is well known in the US. And you contradict yourself by asking @Texazzpete not to insult Soyinka when you did insult Chinua Achebe by saying he writes for kids.
And please explain exactly how Wole Soyinka has added to the English language. A lot of his works are built on ancient Greek and sometimes Ogun mythology, well known english tales and what he did was adapt them to our society.very hard task.  No doubt he has mastery of the english language but i repeat both writers........write different genres.
Achebe was the first African writer to successfully transmute the conventions of the novel, a European art form, into African literature drawing sustanence from traditional oral literature.
Soyinka is a master in his field and achebe is a master in his field...........

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by razor(m): 8:20am On Nov 07, 2005
This is a tough one cos both are very good and the best in the field. Personally, l flow easily with Wole Soyinka.

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by fabian(f): 3:04pm On Nov 07, 2005
Wow, Tough question this one!

Wole Soyinka is mostly into real life events, most of his books are about the things he sees around him, while growing up: Ake, Isara, Ibadan and the politics of Nigeria, he is also a good playwright, The Lion and the Jewel, the trial of brother Jero, etc.
Achebe on the other hand is more into fiction: Anthills of the Savannah, Things Fall apart, Arrow of God. No longer at ease was his foray into the Nigerian Situation.

I prefer Achebe anyway, his writing is easier to understand and I was generally inspired more by his writing.

I hope I dont get eaten by my post, I am neither Igbo nor Yoruba, so there!

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by slybase(m): 3:12pm On Nov 07, 2005
I guess that question is a bit fundamental.

These two are both great authors but in different lights. While Achebe writes to highlight the problems of different epochs in the African society, Soyinka's writing seems more to me like an attempt to impress (how else could one describe -The Interpreters; although Ake, Isara and Ibadan are quite managable, probably because they are a biographical).

A novelist describes the society in words while an author endeavours to impart knowledge.

I would call Achebe a better novelist and Soyinka a better author.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Missworld(f): 4:13pm On Nov 07, 2005
They both deserves credit but my best is Chinua Achebe.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Jio(m): 11:35pm On Nov 07, 2005
Why are we so obsessed with comparing Nigerian achievers? Can't we just accept the fact that no two people are the same?
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by Oracle(m): 11:52pm On Nov 07, 2005
I dont really prefer any of them i love them both
well iv read their books and iv seen that they are not
just there coz they wanna be. they are both qualified to be what they are
men those guys are learned.
they are both ok
so iv got no preference for any one but they are both ok
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by parachute(m): 1:41am On Nov 08, 2005
If I am told to score both men, I’ll give Soyinka A++ and Achebe A+…Achebe is brilliant at prose while Soyinka is a dramatist. Achebe’s simplistic style makes his books a choice for learning and for everyone to look;Soyinka’ s grandiloquence means you need the dictionary to get more than average understanding of whatever he writes.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by obong(m): 3:28am On Nov 08, 2005
achebe
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by chum(m): 10:37am On Nov 08, 2005
cool cool coolAs long as we are talking about the best Afican Author,
it is [b]Chinua Achebe.[/b]
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by kenflavor(m): 10:48am On Nov 08, 2005
@Ajisafe: A genius! Robust. Well-rounded. And multi-dimentional. Your hero, Achebe, will  pray to even go near Soyinka's record. Or, maybe, you're one of those Americans who don't know any better! And if the Nobel Prizes are that easy to come by why hasn't your hero, Achebe, garnered one till date? Or, maybe, you can show me your own.

Ajisafe, I am really surprised at you. I would advice you to remove the log in your eyes before someone elses eyes. Funny enough u are the initiator of this topic. Is it because u are a Yoruba guy?
Better be informed that Achebe is a novelist and Shoyinka a dramatist and poet, so with this fact you should knov that the two leaned men are incomparable. They are both good writers and Nigerians are very happy to have them as their own.
Ajisafe stop calling names and insulting an old man who has done nothing to you but contributed positively to your life. Just behave like a learned fellow, afterall we are not on Nairaland to show how good we could call names and insult our great men.

Achebe and Shoyinka are both great Authors and as for me, I prefer the works of Achebe.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by IAH(f): 12:18pm On Nov 08, 2005
Ajisafe, I think you created this topic so that people can express their own opinion. So don't try to win people over to your side and don't attack anybody who goes against your views. You might think Wole Soyinka is the best while others might think Chinua Achebe is. Others might even think that none of the two qualify for the best african author. If we all agree that Wole Soyinka is the best, how much would you gain from that? And it is very very clear that you are the one who is voting along the tribal line! Read...
Ajisafe:
shame on you because this African, who was born to speak Yoruba, has "re-invented" your language for you. You cannot touch him! You're the dopehead, I'm not!

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Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by sexton(m): 1:54pm On Nov 08, 2005
Ciao,
First of all I want to say a big thank you to all of you on this topic,
I am a bit ashamed and kinda regret lipsrsealed that i only read a book from one of this great writers,
But after following this forum for some time i learned that I need to read more of African literature
(Because of the way some of you here are proud of them).
I repent from today  cool that i will read more and especially from this 2 great Africans
Ciao


Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right 
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by fabian(f): 2:25pm On Nov 08, 2005
Hmm, I see you like Tupac Shakur!
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by kenflavor(m): 2:54pm On Nov 08, 2005
Omogenikk, texazzpete, Fabian, slybase, Missworld, Jio, Oracle, chum and most especially[b] IAF[/b], I thank you gals/guys for your unbiased contributions.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by fabian(f): 3:10pm On Nov 08, 2005
You're welcome! cool
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by sexton(m): 4:07pm On Nov 08, 2005
@ Fabian:
No I dont like 2Pac but I have all the love for him. May his soul rest in peace.
what bout you?. I wonder when we Africans will be our brothers keeper. Have a nice day.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by mikebuddy(m): 4:10pm On Nov 08, 2005
HEY ALL KNOW THAT CHINUA ACHEBE WILL ALWAYS B THE BEST OK.
Re: Best African Author: Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe? by fabian(f): 5:00pm On Nov 08, 2005
@ sexton
I have MAD LOVE for Tupac Shakur! I really do like his lyrics!

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