TEBOGO AND THE BACCHAE By Omoseye Bolaji

Author: Omoseye Bolaji
Publisher: Eselby Jnr Publishers
Reviewer: Raphael Mokoena
Complete Book Design by Godmore Jnr (Godfrey) Mofokeng
ISBN: 978 - 0 - 620 - 52543 - 5

Ah, the exhilaration of a new Tebogo Mokoena Mystery! Tebogo and the Bacchae (2012) is as good as the best of any of the preceding titles in the series. There are two main aspects I would like to touch on here; firstly the narrative style, and the possibility of a new, tougher Tebogo.

The most outstanding new approach by the author (Omoseye Bolaji) to this new adventure is the narrative style. Note that we had got used to reading the stories in the first person; from Tebogo’s spot of bother (2001) to Tebogo and
the pantophagist (2010). Hence the new approach is initially surprising.

In Tebogo and the Bacchae, the omniscient (“eye of God”) narrative style is used. In fact in a few of the chapters, Tebogo is not involved at all. The brilliant first chapter (The Guest House) is a good example of this. The skill of the author in stitching this opening part together can not be overstated; including a very important newspaper report that sets the tone for the whole book. Bolaji’s experience as a journalist and editor comes in useful in the first chapter.

In other chapters the focus seems to be on other characters – like the one on TIISETSO. Yet every single part, segment, and page combine to present us with a plausible, well-written story or adventure. The perspectives become larger because the work is not written in the first person. We can enter the minds of other characters – we’ll come back to this presently.

The Chapter titled CONVERSATION starts with one of the occupants of the Guest House having a rather nasty shock; then moves on to two of the cleaners who work here discussing some of the guests in the Guest House, their habits and idiosyncracies. Although Tebogo is mentioned in passing, the chapter can be said to have nothing to do with him. Yet this chapter, like the others is an integral part of this new work.

Another interesting chapter in this wise is PICNIC. It is the day after the much awaited funeral of a dignitary (Pa Phafoli). Khayachow town is “desultory” yet later on many people rally, go out, to have fun; the initial focus is on Biggie (who featured in Tebogo and the epithalamion) and a group of friends. They invite Tebogo to join them; he does so, and they talk briefly; the focus then shifts to the interesting young lady, Thobeka...the omniscient narrator sees it all, and we can enter characters’ mind when it suits the narrator!

For example, the sadistic, “misogynistic” side of Tiisetso (who also stays in the Guest House like Tebogo) can be seen from this short passage:

“...These women are goddamn actresses. When Allan (his male friend) has finished with (his girlfriend) he would hopefully throw her out. The thought made him smile beatifically...”

Or in respect of Allan (later on) in his own house:

“He had already downed a glass of whisky, but he wanted more. I’m not going to be a slave in my own house; if I wanna drink, I’m gonna drink. Tebogo can go to hell...” (Allan is musing here)

Lest we forget, as I mentioned earlier, we are supposed to see a new improved tougher Tebogo in this new work! This is however an area in which the author fails. We are told that Tebogo now carries a gun and is ready to use it; but it is not convincing. Consider Chapter 2 (Lolita) where Tebogo boasts about almost having used his gun to “blow a man’s brains all over the floor”

Anybody who believes this must be reading this series for the first time! There is no way Tebogo, essentially humane and always avoiding bloodshed over the years could have metamorphosed into such a “ruthless” person. There is something slapstick and ridiculous about this; but happily, this does not mar this excellent story.